community building
Letter from the Editor: Choosing connection after the election
by (allisondonahue)
Submitted 11-26-2024 under VOICES
It’s been three weeks since the election, and I’ve been feeling something in the air—and no, it’s not just November’s chill that has seemingly settled in for a gray winter. Some of the conversations I’ve been...
Brie Stoner reflects on process, connection and identity following recent album release
by (rosie.accola)
Submitted 05-16-2024 under LOCAL LIFE
When Brie Stoner joins me on Zoom a couple of days before her headlining show at the Pyramid Scheme, she’s sitting in front of a pink silk backdrop covered in screen-printed curlicued frames. It’s the backdrop for the show, Stoner...
Community-centered soccer league returns to westside for new season
by (Justin Mills)
Submitted 05-14-2024 under LOCAL LIFE
The Soccer Rebellion, a local grassroots soccer movement working to bring American street soccer culture to Grand Rapids through community building, brings back Friday nights at Las Canchas as the Bridge Street League returns for its second season...
Demystifying Permanent Supportive Housing
by (DwellingPlace)
Submitted 06-14-2023 under NONPROFITS
Dwelling Place’s promise to the community is to provide housing for all. However, meeting the community’s housing needs isn’t just about building more apartments and homes. While affordable housing is part of the solution,...
Honoring Resident Leadership with the Larry Bratschie Award
by (DwellingPlace)
Submitted 01-20-2021 under NONPROFITS
“I want to be part of that voice of positive change in the neighborhood. I want it to improve for everybody.” The words of Daniel Drent, recipient of the 2020 Larry Bratschie Award, embody passionate and effective resident leadership,...
Better Body Image Conference aims to start conversation about positive body image in Grand Rapids
by (conniex721)
Submitted 02-06-2018 under LOCAL LIFE
The Better Body Image Conference aims to shape and redefine the concept of self and foster a positive body image by incorporating diverse definitions of beauty, cultivating positive speech around the body, and fostering self-compassion. The...
Learn to support local refugees at "Do Good Well" event
by (WMRECC)
Submitted 02-14-2017 under PLACE-MATTERS
In the wake of the recent executive order calling for a temporary halt to the resettlement of refugees, the Refugee Education Center has received hundreds of calls and emails from community members interested in how they can support refugees in our...
Just wrong enough: How swinging inside an ArtPrize house creates community
by (tfox)
Submitted 09-29-2015 under OPINION
In the past week I've had the curious experience of acting as a performer in Kate Gilmore's installation "Higher Ground", at SiTE:LAB's Rumsey Street Project. An entire house on the site of Rumsey Street has been transformed to...
Long time Westsider works to build community as Union High School's new football coach
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 08-11-2015 under INNOVATION-SPOTLIGHT
Rick Angstman, recently hired as the new Head Varsity Football Coach for Union High School for Grand Rapids Public Schools, says his job as the football coach is not just passing along a love of football to the teens at Union- but is also a channel...
GoSite helps welcome military veterans home with unique networking experience
by (GoSite)
Submitted 06-23-2015 under PLACE-MATTERS
What does it mean when people say the GoSite is a “21st century welcome center?” That may depend on how you look at it. Or rather, where your imagination takes you when you visit the new downtown information sharing space. Designed...