Bev Berens with her mom, Hazel Bosch.

Pandemic leaves family alone in grief after loss of loved one

Bev Berens buried our mother last week. It wasn’t COVID-19 that took her but the pandemic still robbed her family of an important part of the grief and farewell.

Sarah Lewakowski is the executive director of Mosaic Counseling.
Emergency grant funding keeps mental health services going

An emergency grant has been crucial to Mosiac Counseling providing counseling services remotely via teletherapy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant is part of $80,000 given to 14 Ottawa County area organizations to provide essential services. 

Emliah Odinsdottir
Being homeless during the COVID-19 crisis

My plan to move in with a friend seemed to be coming together. Then came Gov. Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. It made finding a place for me and my dogs to stay until the move nearly impossible.

Retailers are hiring more cashiers and other workers to keep up with demand during the pandemic.
Essential businesses offer pay, protection to meet COVID-19 demand

In many cases, employers are offering temporary pay bonuses through April and investing in safety precautions to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.

Rules for park visitors are always spelled out on display boards. But the coronavirus crisis necessitated the creation of additional regulations.
COVID-19 etiquette for park visits

Visitors to Ottawa County parks are being asked to observe some additional protocols during the COVID-19 crisis.

The Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Department recommends visits to parks that regularly experience lower attendance, such as Connor Bayou.
How to practice safe distancing while enjoying Ottawa County Parks

The Ottawa County parks system is open to visitors wanting to maintain their physical stamina and emotional well-being during the COVID-19 crisis. Here are some ways to enjoy the county's 28 parks while maintaining safe social distancing.

Emergency housing programs ‘saved my family,’ mom says

Katrina Karlsons feels fortunate that her family is able to follow Gov. Whitmer's “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. After a January eviction, two nonprofits helped the family move out of homelessness.

Q&A: How Michigan Works is helping job seekers during COVID-19 crisis

Brittany Lenertz, the talent solutions director with West Michigan Works!, answers questions about how to find employment as Gov. Whitmer's Stay Home, Stay Safe order has resulted in the temporary closure of many businesses.

Love In Action staff sort food donations.
Emergency grants help nonprofits get more food, services to those in need

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, nearly $120,000 in emergency grants were given to Ottawa County nonprofits in the last week to provide more food and services to those in need. 

Community Kitchen Assistant Rachel Nolan holds hot meals boxed and ready to go home with those who come to the soup kitchen daily.
Community Kitchen mission continues with boxed meal pickup

The COVID-19 crisis has forced The Community Kitchen to switch to boxed meals, but it hasn’t shut down the operation that feeds hundreds of people.

Our Partners

Allegan County Community Foundation logo
Disability Advocates of Kent County logo
On Point Allegan

Common Ground Is Brewing

Support local stories and receive our signature roast straight to your door when you join at the Standard level (or above).

Drink Better, Read Local

Close the CTA

Don't miss out!

Everything West Michigan, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.