Rapid Growth

6 days ago | rapidgrowthmedia.com | Shandra Martinez

For 45 years, Dwelling Place has been a source of stability and transformation in Grand Rapids’ Heartside neighborhood. The nonprofit, which develops and manages affordable housing, is marking this milestone by sharing the powerful, personal moments that define its impact, not only for the residents it serves, but also for the people who serve them. From property managers to coordinators to residents, every team member at Dwelling Place has a story to tell moments where mission met meaning.

6 days ago | rapidgrowthmedia.com | Shandra Martinez

A proposed federal Medicaid cuts could dismantle the lifeline that thousands of low-income Michigan seniors rely on to remain at home and out of institutions. The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly — better known as PACE — provides comprehensive medical and social services to individuals 55 and older who are eligible for nursing home-level care but prefer to remain in their communities.

6 days ago | rapidgrowthmedia.com | Shandra Martinez

For thousands of families across West Michigan, summer at the library means more than borrowing books. It’s also a guarantee of a free, nutritious meal, no questions asked. Kent District Library (KDL) is preparing for another season of participation in Gather 2 Grow summer food program, a program by Feeding America West Michigan that provides shelf-stable meals to children when school is out of session. This year’s program runs from June 2 to Aug.

6 days ago | rapidgrowthmedia.com | Shandra Martinez

For young people with disabilities, the transition from high school to adulthood can be a road filled with uncertainty. But a new initiative, fueled by a two-year, $120,000 grant from the Steelcase Foundation, aims to change that trajectory in Kent County. Disability Advocates of Kent County (DAKC) is leading a collaboration of five local organizations focused on improving postsecondary outcomes for youth with disabilities.

1 week ago | rapidgrowthmedia.com | Shandra Martinez

This story is part of a series on the challenges and solutions related to oral health in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. It is made possible with funding support from the Delta Dental Foundation. For many struggling with painful dental emergencies, a trip to the hospital emergency room often brings only temporary relief — and a hefty bill. In response, Cherry Health launched a solution one year ago: the Belknap Commons Dental Center, a Grand Rapids location dedicated solely to urgent dental care.