"A vibrant downtown is crucial for the prosperity of our community,” Allegan Mayor Roger Bird says. The city celebrated the completion of its downtown streetscape project on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25.

Downtown Allegan celebrates grand opening of $9M streetscape project

Downtown Allegan's newly upgraded sidewalks and streetscape took half the projected time. The city celebrated the $9 million accomplishment — and its downtown businesses — during a Small Business Saturday ribbon cutting event.

Evergreen Commons plans to address this yearning for community and wellness with the help of a $380,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund.
$380K state grant will bolster Evergreen Commons programs

Evergreen Commons has been awarded a $380,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund for initiatives that enhance the quality of life for Evergreen members, Day Center participants, and the community.

Karinna Martinez, a junior at Holland High School, is busy volunteering for the LAUP Adelante program, the Holland Youth Advisory Council, and Women of Color Give.
Holland teen grows through community service

Karinna Martinez, a junior at Holland High School, is busy volunteering for the LAUP Adelante program, the Holland Youth Advisory Council, and Women of Color Give.

A career in public service: A Q&A with retiring Ottawa County treasurer Amanda Price

After decades of public service at the local, state and county level, Ottawa County Treasurer Amanda Price is retiring at the end of the month. She talks to The Lakeshore about her passion for public service and what’s next.

Katie Wendel, director of planning and advocacy at Area Agency on Aging 1B, which recently launched a voucher program to help unpaid caregivers afford respite care.
Finding temporary care is a challenge for Michigan’s many unpaid caregivers, but help is available

Approximately 1.7 million Michiganders are unpaid caregivers, and they often desperately need a break from that work. Resources, like a new voucher program to pay for respite care, can help.

Dr. Colleen Allen, AAoM president and CEO cuts the ribbon.
Autism Alliance of Michigan celebrates grand opening of new Grand Rapids location

On Thursday Nov. 16, the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) celebrated its new Grand Rapids-area office with a grand opening ribbon cutting and open house at its location within the Special Olympics Michigan Unified Sports & Inclusion Center, about 10 miles south of Grand Rapids proper. 

A number of financial incentives for post-secondary education help those interested in an early education career.
Michigan busca crear una mejor trayectoria profesional para los educadores de la primera infancia

Mientras Michigan trabaja hacia un programa PreK para Todos o PreK for All, que ampliará las opciones voluntarias de preescolar para que cada niño de cuatro años en Michigan pueda acceder a una educación preescolar gratuita en 2027, una preocupación que Meyers y otros educadores preescolares plantean es el desarrollo de la fuerza laboral para los maestros de educación preescolar. 

More than 500 students, staff, teachers, and volunteers participated in a Mental Health Fair and Walk at Detroit’s University Prep Art & Design Middle High School in October.
Michigan’s community mental health agencies work hard to prevent youth suicide

Michigan’s community mental health agencies (CMHs) and organizations across the state understand that asking questions and having conversations about mental health and suicide is a very significant step in prevention. 

Donor’s $1.5M estate gift to support foundation’s work

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area recently received an almost $1.5 million estate gift from a local donor to support the foundation’s work.

Big Read goes on musical tour for preschoolers

The Holland Symphony Orchestra, the Herrick District Library, and the Big Read at Hope College partnered to create the first Mini Read tour for the program’s youngest readers. 

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