Kavy Lenon

Kavy Lenon is an advocate for her community on and off the job

As a supplier diversity manager at Meijer, Kavy Lenon works to improve Meijer’s partner diversity for internal and external processes. Nicknamed “Wonder Woman,” she also brings her ample energy and passion to her work as an advocate for minority populations in West Michigan and beyond. 

Dr. Beth Peter
Doctor shares how her practice, West Michigan navigated the pandemic

Dr. Beth Peter, a physician at Lakewood Family Medicine in Holland, says COVID-19 brought a year like no other for those in the medical field. She describes the pandemic’s effects on her work, her family, and her community.

End-of-life doula Toula Saratsis holds a photo of her daughter Angelica, who died at age 7 of a rare genetic disorder.
Palliative care maximizes quality of life for Michiganders facing serious illness and death

Springing up across Michigan, palliative care programs aim to shift the way we think about death and serious illness.

Leveraging community voices and a new perspective to further change within The Rapid

The Rapid recently welcomed new chief executive officer, Deb Prato, to the helm. As she begins her new role and gets acclimated to the community, The Rapid gathered community members, transit riders, and stakeholders to gain a better understanding of current strengths, gaps and local resources.

West Ottawa senior Nayeli Mora took home the Michigan Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year award and will compete for the regional title next month.
Holland Youth of the Year Nayeli Mora wins state title

Speaking up for herself and for others important is to Nayeli Mora, who will compete next month for the Midwest Youth of the Year after winning the local and state competitions.

Jessie Nieusma works with the medical community, businesses, and schools to raise awareness and acceptance, and to humanize transgender people and kids, so they receive the care and role models need.
How an educator and advocate is building awareness and acceptance of transgender community

Jessie Nieusma works with the medical community, businesses, and schools to raise awareness and acceptance, and to humanize transgender people and kids, so they receive the care and role models needed.

Disability Network/Lakeshore Executive Director Amanda Rhines
Meet Amanda Rhines, Disability Network/Lakeshore’s new executive director

As the mother of a child with Down syndrome, Amanda Rhines is a passionate disability advocate. After a decade at D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s, Rhines is in her first year as executive director of Disability Network/Lakeshore.

GRCC President Bill Pink
Education secretary salutes GRCC for outreach, student support during pandemic

Secretary Miguel Cardona invited Grand Rapids Community College President Bill Pink to join a recent call with national media. During the call, to discuss $36 billion in emergency U.S. Department of Education grants, Cardona highlighted GRCC’s outreach to and support for students impacted by the pandemic.  

Barbara Lee VanHorssen is the experi-mentor at the Momentum Center.
Guest editor Barbara Lee VanHorssen spotlights work being done to eliminate stigma

Barbara Lee VanHorssen, the founder and Experi-Mentor of the Momentum Center in Grand Haven, spotlights people and organizations working to eliminate stigma along the Lakeshore. 

Nathaniel Bergman administers a COVID-19 vaccine to a homebound resident in her home.
Michigan agencies offer in-home COVID-19 vaccinations for homebound residents

More than 21,000 of the state's estimated 110,000 homebound residents have received their shots through a state initiative in partnership with local agencies.

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