homelessness
Green Light Project shares stories, raises awareness of homeless youth
by (ArborCircle)
Submitted 10-18-2016 under PLACE-MATTERS
On any given night, 200 youth in Kent County don’t have a place to sleep. Annually, this number exceeds 2,000 runaway and homeless youth in West Michigan. In an effort to shed light on this issue, Arbor Circle is hosting Green Light Project:...
#WhiteOut4Vets campaign to honor, support homeless veterans
by (Aquoinette Blair)
Submitted 10-18-2016 under OPINION
"God bless America!" Patriotically, we say this often but still overlook one of His many blessings called veterans – the men and women who, without regard, defend this country, our freedom and rights to live freely in this…...
3:11 Youth Housing helps youth experiencing homelessness through housing first, positive youth development
by (GRTV)
Submitted 09-21-2016 under NONPROFITS
In this week’s segment of GRTV’s NPO Showcase, 3:11 Youth Housing’s Kayla Morgan and Lauren VanKeulen discuss their work to develop safe, affordable housing for youth experiencing homelessness, the impact of homelessness on...
Can Grand Rapids end homelessness?
by (Marjorie Steele)
Submitted 08-31-2016 under PLACE-MATTERS
Can Grand Rapids end homelessness? Grand Rapids, we need to have an honest conversation about homelessness. All of us. I could cite the fact that nearly 10,000 individuals in Kent County touched the homelessness system last year, 39 percent of which...
Food Bank helps hunger-relief agencies amplify impact
by (jtl6)
Submitted 01-13-2016 under LOCAL LIFE
When a needy family with a sick child came to United Church Outreach Ministry (UCOM), program director Shawn Keener knew providing food would be the first step toward helping them. “Food is usually the presenting issue that brings...
Teen drop-in center to celebrate community involvement, youth helped with first GR Lip Sync Battle
by (Elizabeth Roger...)
Submitted 11-24-2015 under NEWS
Headquarters (HQ), a drop-in center for homeless teens on State Street in Grand Rapids, is celebrating its one year anniversary with GR Lip Sync Battle at Celebration Cinema North. HQ has invited local industries to battle against each other with...
3:11 Youth Housing develops safe, affordable housing for homeless youth
by (GRTV)
Submitted 09-22-2015 under NONPROFITS
It’s estimated that there are about 80 youth between the ages of 18 and 24 who are homeless on any given night in Kent County. “Youth are experts at hiding within the general population, by blending in, or they’ll be couch surfing...
Candidates answer citizen questions on gentrification, race, police, LGBTQIA
by (Holly)
Submitted 08-01-2015 under NEWS
For our last set of citizen questions answered by the mayoral candidates, we’re addressing questions of social ills and issues: housing and gentrification, race, police relations and welcoming LGBTQ residents. All questions were collected at...
New data reveals number of homeless up; unsheltered down
by (shardaisy)
Submitted 06-25-2015 under LOCAL LIFE
New research for 2015 has revealed that the overall number of homeless people is up 15% in Kent County. In contrast, the number of homeless people without shelter is down 21%. Jesica Vail, program manager for the Coalition, believes the...
Our place, your voices: Why I write for The Rapidian
by (Michael Tuffelmire)
Submitted 05-21-2015 under OPINION
On October 13, 2009, I officially became a citizen reporter. I submitted a video of the hip hop group Flying Without Wingz performing at Rock Out 2 Come Out, a large LGBTQIA event hosted by Speak Equal at Rosa Parks Circle. What I thought would...