A couple stands in the dining area of a staged CLT home at 2080 Union, highlighting the space.

Dwelling Place expands affordable homeownership through Community Land Trust

Dwelling Place’s Community Land Trust program creates lasting affordable homeownership opportunities across West Michigan for working families and single-income households.

KCAD design students explore inclusive design by navigating kitchen activities from a wheelchair user's perspective.
KCAD students redesign kitchens to promote inclusive, user-informed housing solutions

Design students at KCAD partner with Disability Advocates of Kent County to create hands-on, accessible kitchen displays that challenge industry standards and expectations.

Two former members of the Grand Rapids Black Sox.
Published Together: Whitecaps honor Black Sox, support youth with Delta Project Night

The West Michigan Whitecaps have teamed up with The Delta Project, a local nonprofit focused on empowering youth of color, for Black Sox Appreciation Night on Wednesday, July 9, at LMCU Ballpark.

Ashley Cramer received the 2025 Gentex Foundation’s Amanda Clark Scholarship.
Gentex scholarship helps Zeeland grad pursue STEM degree at Kettering

Ashley Cramer earns Gentex Foundation’s Amanda Clark Scholarship, receiving $20,000 to study computer science at Kettering University.

The Healthy Housing Workgroup, part of CHIP, tackles basic home repairs such as plumbing, blight removal, insulation, and energy efficiency.
Allegan County organizations unite to make homes safer and healthier

Government and nonprofits team up to fix housing issues, improve health, and support families through repairs, training, and shared resources.

Leah Broomfield
Deaf mentor’s journey shows strength of inclusive hiring and support services

Leah Broomfield’s new role as a deaf mentor highlights how inclusive hiring and community collaboration open doors for deaf professionals.

Ryan Kilpatrick, lead consultant for Housing Next, leads a panel discussion.
Report: Ottawa County housing progress continues, but gaps remain for many

Leaders share updated housing data, highlighting strides made and ongoing efforts to expand access for households with low, moderate, and middle incomes.

An attendee is wrapped in a Pride flag at at Allegan, Speak Up event.
Pride Fund expands LGBTQIA+ support across Allegan County communities

Seven organizations receive grants to improve LGBTQIA+ mental health, visibility, and belonging; highlights include Out On the Lakeshore’s new initiative.

Families could see aviation technology in action with several flyovers during Aviation Day at West Michigan Regional Airport.
WMU grad returns home to lead West Michigan Regional Airport

Matthew Neyens brings Denver expertise and deep Michigan roots to WMRA, with a focus on expanding aviation access, driving economic growth, and strengthening community partnerships.

Shelley Roossien, Accessibility and Inclusion Specialist at KDL, leads children through a building exercise.
Inclusive Literacy Alliance fosters early reading in Kent County kids with developmental differences

The Inclusive Literacy Alliance is a collaborative, county-wide effort to improve early reading outcomes for children with developmental differences. Parents, educators, service providers, and advocates are piloting solutions that make early literacy more accessible and effective for children who are blind or low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, or autistic.

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