Chris Riker is Vice President of Advancement and Donor Services at the GHACF.

Foundation matching donations to Restoring Hope fund for COVID-19 relief

The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation has launched an initial $150,000 challenge match to raise money for the Community Relief & Recovery Fund. 

Waterfront trash typically consists of small, mostly plastic items.
Lake cleanup organizers shift tactics amid pandemic, erosion, high water

Environmentalists who organize lake and river cleanups in West Michigan are fine-tuning their tactics in the wake of high-water levels and the coronavirus pandemic.

Gloria Lara is the Executive Director of the Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance.
LEDA launches weekly conversations on racial inequalities

The Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance has launched a series of weekly Facebook Live events, leading up to the virtual 2020 Summit on Race and Inclusion: Vision & Voices on July 21.

Michael McDermott performs at Seven Steps Up in 2019.
Community rallies behind ‘beloved’ music venue owners

Donations have come from near and far to keep Seven Steps Up afloat until the listening room can reopen. One musician even wrote “The Song Will Rise” about what makes Michelle and Gary Hanks' historic venue so special.

A protester carried this sign during the George’s Peaceful Unity Demonstration in Holland on June 7.
How I came to take a stand against racism

Dave Edmonds shares why he thinks it took so long for him to understand his role in racial inequality and why he is determined to make up for lost time.

Anisa Reynolds believes protests will be key to long-lasting change.
Seeing Unity Demonstration diversity ‘powerful’ for local youth

Growing up black in Holland, a pair of 20-year-olds talk about the optimism they felt after thousands turned out for the community's Black Lives Matter protest. 

Protestors walk along Douglas Avenue to the Unity Bridge.
Unity march surpasses expectations

Photo essay and video capture the sounds and sights of George’s Peaceful Unity Demonstration march in Holland on June 7. 

More than 3,000 people lined Unity Bridge on June 7 to show their solidarity in standing against racism in America.
Thousands line Unity Bridge, ‘standing together’ for justice

“We choose unity. We choose peace. We choose togetherness,” co-organizer Shutaveya Ward says. “We can enact change by standing together.”

Lucia Rios at a work event.
Accommodating remote work during pandemic helps shift conversation about access, inclusion

Lucia Rios hopes that once we’re out of quarantine, we don’t stop making access and inclusion an important topic. She, along with others who are disabled, don’t want to go back to business as usual.

Rebekah VanZegeren is a former college athlete turned physical therapist.
Finding new ways to support health and fitness during COVID-19

Former athlete Rebekah VanZegeren shares how physical therapists are providing a safe environment for recovery during the pandemic.

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