Grand Haven’s Shape Corp. grows workforce with state’s training program

The state’s “You Can In Michigan” campaign is helping a cutting-edge Grand Haven auto parts manufacturer to thrive. The plan is to help West Michigan employers in filling more than 1,500 good-paying job openings in advanced manufacturing and IT. 

2 Lakeshore students win national scholarship competitions

Zeeland’s Jena Buttery and Wayland’s Tara Huskey, who attend Grand Rapids Community College, were named scholarship winners.

Community health worker Lindsay Bechtel
Community health worker on the job at Vantage Plastics

In order to continue their mission of serving the community through sustainability, Standish based materials company Vantage Plastics is now partnering with the Central Michigan District Health Department (CMDHD) to integrate a community health worker (CHW) on site. 

Allegan County offers a plethora of outdoor trails and greenways to soak in the nature.
4 cool trails to explore in Allegan County

See nature on display at any one of these four Allegan County trails and greenways, including two newly opened trails.

Robert Sheehan, executive director of the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan
Proposed licensure changes aim to ease Michigan’s social worker shortage

Mental health and social work advocates are pushing for legislative change to shift Michigan's social worker licensing process from a test-based approach to a practice-driven alternative that has proven successful in other states.

The beach and pavillion at Highland Park.
Capt. Jack Walker and his Highland Park menagerie

Among the many colorful residents of Highland Park was Capt. Jack Walker, who operated a bath house and kept a tame bear to entertain visitors, among other amusements.

Roel Garcia is an adjunct professor at Grand Rapids Community College as well as an English as a second language instructor at Zeeland Adult Education.
How a teacher regained his independence after losing his sight

Roel Garcia shares how the loss of most of his sight in high school turned his world upside down before he figured out how to adapt to his disability. He graduated from college, became a journalist, and now is a teacher. 

Rabbi Yudi Mann.
West Bloomfield synagogue will train Jewish leaders on providing behavioral health support

A new initiative at The Shul seeks to provide more tools for Jewish community leaders to better offer behavioral health support to their community.

Author to keynote West Michigan Disability Awareness Day celebration

Author and advocate Jocelyn Dettloff will speak about disability and mental health, the theme of the Disability Awareness Day event on March 22. 

Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health: Building trust and improving health

Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health partners with community mental health providers in Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties. 

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