Families

The city of Holland highlighted Tiara Johnson's story during its Black History Month oral history project.

Holland oral history project gives Black residents a platform for their stories

By showcasing both the positive and the negative stories of Black residents during an oral history project, city officials hope to show residents they are open to dialogue and to change.

Latest in Families
Hudsonville resident and interior designer Liz Marie Galvan is building a reputation and a following for her Cozy White Cottage home decor ideas.
This Hudsonville native’s ticket to fame: Getting Cozy

Hudsonville native and interior designer Liz Marie Galvan is building a reputation and a following for her Cozy White Cottage home decor ideas.

Donna Lowry
Pilot grant helps parents, employers deal with ‘critical’ child care crisis

Ready for School and Goodwill Industries of West Michigan are using a state pilot grant to help parents afford quality child care, making it easier for employers to recruit and retain their workforce.

From left, Iliana Ponce, Esther Fifelski, and Susan Kragt are among those advocating for Afghan refugees in West Michigan.
Lakeshore agencies welcome Afghan refugees with open arms

Bethany Christian Services is working in concert with Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates to help Afghan individuals and families who are seeking asylum following the U.S. armed forces withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Mitch and Johally Carlson pose with their children outside their new home. The family has a home of their own this holiday season with the help of Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity.
Home for the holidays: Habitat builder comes home to Habitat house

Mitch and Johally Carlson built hundreds of homes for other people, but when they needed a home of their own, the answer was closer than they might have thought.

Jubilee Ministries Executive Director Steve Grose and Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Don Wilkinson speak to a crowd before a ceremonial groundbreaking at Park Vista Place, a joint project of the two, on East 40th Street in Holland.
More housing coming to West Michigan, still more needed

New housing projects underway now and coming soon will help alleviate some of the housing shortage in West Michigan, HousingNext's Ryan Kilpatrick says. But still more is needed to slow ever-increasing housing prices.

Fennville District Library librarian Teresa Kline is the 2021 Michigan Librarian of the Year.
Return to rural roots puts Michigan’s Librarian of the Year right where she belongs

As the recipient of Michigan's 2021 Public Librarian of the Year, Fennville Library Director Teresa Kline has been recognized for her innovative approach to providing services to a rural community.

Tim Price, co-owner of RollXscape Skating Center in Holland Township, right, shows skating enthusiast a set of LED quad roller skate wheels in the rink’s skate shop during the venue’s grand opening, Nov. 4.
Roller rink makes a comeback as RollXscape Skating Center

Tim and Brenda Price have remodeled the former Grand Roller Rink in Holland Township into the new RollXscape Skating Center.

County health departments are working with schools to endure kids have access to the COVID-19 vaccine.
Vaccine clinics for kids available across the lakeshore

Vaccination clinics are available across the lakeshore for children as young as 5 years old. Here's what parents need to know.

Sixteen-year-old Makenzie Aney is the inspiration for a café her aunt plans to open in mid-2022 with an aspiration to do more than sell espressos and lattes. 
Owner’s niece inspires Kenzie’s BE Café, where staff with disabilities will run the show

When Kenzie’s BE Café opens, owner Erin Lyon says the coffeehouse’s 25 employees with intellectual and developmental disabilities will “be pretty much running the show.”

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