With COVID cases peaking, Michigan seeks solutions to health care worker shortage

Michigan health care leaders are advocating for investments to support staffing needs in hospitals, nursing facilities, emergency medical services, and workforce training programs.

A new assessment conducted by the Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District considered physical activity assets in Clare, such as this playscape at Shamrock Park.
Gratiot-Isabella Regional Education Service District promotes active, healthy communities

Using Michigan Fitness Foundation’s Promoting Active Communities assessment and tools, GIRESD staff are on their way to having a better understanding of the barriers to active living and finding solutions to overcome those barriers.

The EUPISD LifeSPAN team collaborated with other area organizations to host a Color Run/Walk last August.
SNAP-Ed Eastern U.P. LifeSPAN team is helping to get the U.P. active

Eastern Upper Peninsula Intermediate School District staff have spearheaded numerous initiatives through the LifeSPAN program, which gives families the tools to lead all-around healthier lives. 

A design illustration of the new building now under construction at 677 Hastings Ave. in Holland. (Courtesy/Midwest Construction)
Popular pub to return in Holland’s first mixed-use building under new development code

A new 14,000-square-foot building will include the popular restaurant Goog’s Pub along with a boutique market/beverage center and apartments.

LAUP received $20,000 to add a career coaching component to the ¡Más Adelante! program.
Women of Color Give distributes $40k to 5 groups

Women of Color Give awarded more than $40,000 to five local organizations that took part in the collective’s second annual Pitch Night in December. 

Charles Elwood
Guest editor Charles Elwood inspires with stories about overcoming fear to do amazing things

Entrepreneur and uber community volunteer Charles Elwood highlights Lakeshore residents who are overcoming their fears to accomplish amazing things.

Kevin Fischer.
Michigan prepares for long-term mental health effects of COVID-19

The pandemic's mental health impacts are expected to remain for the long term – and many of Michigan’s communities, mental health professionals, and researchers are already preparing to address them.

Mitch and Johally Carlson pose with their children outside their new home. The family has a home of their own this holiday season with the help of Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity.
Home for the holidays: Habitat builder comes home to Habitat house

Mitch and Johally Carlson built hundreds of homes for other people, but when they needed a home of their own, the answer was closer than they might have thought.

Jubilee Ministries Executive Director Steve Grose and Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Don Wilkinson speak to a crowd before a ceremonial groundbreaking at Park Vista Place, a joint project of the two, on East 40th Street in Holland.
More housing coming to West Michigan, still more needed

New housing projects underway now and coming soon will help alleviate some of the housing shortage in West Michigan, HousingNext's Ryan Kilpatrick says. But still more is needed to slow ever-increasing housing prices.

Trendway employees are giving Christmas gifts to more than 70 foster children this season.
Trendway’s tradition of making Christmas special for foster children

For 30 years, Trendway employees have been supporting the Angel Tree program to make sure foster children have Christmas gifts.

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