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The Nonprofit Dispatch

Discover the rich tapestry of West Michigan's non-profit sector highlighted in The Rapidian's Nonprofit Dispatch. Gain insight directly from local organizations actively engaged in the realms of arts, culture, service, faith, and collaboration. These compelling narratives are graciously shared by a diverse array of non-profit entities in Grand Rapids.

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DisArt Stories Matter: Karen Weaver shares what drew her to volunteering for first year of festival

Submitted 04-23-2015 under NONPROFITS

Karen Weaver says she loves being a part of the first year of things- and that's why she wanted to be a part of DisArt in its inaugural year. She's loved seeing the "grace in people's eyeballs" as new friendships and bonds are formed between volunteers.

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DisArt Stories Matter: Jill Vyn explains creating culture of volunteers at festival

Submitted 04-23-2015 under NONPROFITS

Festival Developer Jill Vyn explains the culture of welcome and acceptance that has been a part of developing the volunteer community at the DisArt Festival from the beginning- and how she's watching that culture of welcome play out in the way volunteers interact with the public.

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DisArt Stories Matter: Nkechi Okwuwasi shares why she volunteered for fashion show

Submitted 04-23-2015 under NONPROFITS

Young Nkechi Okwuwasi says her godmother told her about volunteer opportunities at the DisArt Festival and that she wanted to get involved. Here she explains what drew her to volunteer specifically for the fashion show.

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DisArt Stories Matter: Robert Andy Coombs says inclusive clothing designs can bring people together

Submitted 04-22-2015 under NONPROFITS

Robert Andy Coombs, DisArt Fashion Lead, says he's learned so much by being able to be surrounded by so many other artists that celebrate that they're disabled.

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DisArt Stories Matter: Matthew Pozsgay shares what he's learned designing for children with disabilities

Submitted 04-22-2015 under NONPROFITS

Matthew Poszgay says he's used to working with women's fashion, and that working on fashion for children with disabilities and considering the user's needs has been a totally different experience.

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DisArt Stories Matter: Nicole Jimenez finds work with Kendall fashion students invigorating

Submitted 04-22-2015 under NONPROFITS

Nicole Jimenez, from Open Style Lab at MIT, works to create clothing for people with disabilities. She's been impressed by the work of local students and has found it invigorating to work with so many passionate about the arts and disability.

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Local landscape painter Overvoorde to host art sale for hunger relief

Submitted 04-22-2015 under NONPROFITS

Chris Stoffel Overvoorde will sell paintings and drawings at his home and studio April 24 and 25.

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DisArt Stories Matter: Tom Wagner shares favorite collaborations in "Icebreaker" exhibit at KCAD

Submitted 04-21-2015 under NONPROFITS

Tom Wagner says the most interesting part of the the exhibit has been watching people interact with the art, since everything in "Icebreaker" was designed to be touched by the viewer.

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Hunger rate rises in West Michigan, Upper Peninsula according to new report

Submitted 04-21-2015 under NONPROFITS

Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap report concluded that 49 million Americans struggled with hunger in 2013, including one in seven people in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

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Wednesday! Free OKT Earth Day Spring Tree Tour

Submitted 04-21-2015 under NONPROFITS

OKT urban forester, Laura Casaletto, will lead us through Garfield Park where we will munch leaves and nibble flowers together for Earth Day.

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