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Kalamazoo Literacy Council Wants Everyone to Read

Kathy Jennings Wednesday, May 07, 2014
Today, knowing how to read is basic in order to get a job. But one out of three job applicants lack the reading skils needed to do the job they seek. The Kalamazoo Literacy Council is stepping up efforts to change that. 

Spring Break for Nightlight

Michigan Nightlight Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Students Design Solutions for Neighborhood

John Wiegand Friday, April 18, 2014
Students at the GRPS Academy of Design and Construction are getting in on the ground floor, so to speak, as they partner with Habitat Kent to envision, design, and eventually build a mixed-use development right in their own community. 

Building Networks for Job Success

Matthew Lewis Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Youth Employment Solutions and the Detroit Youth Development Commission's employment program help young people in Detroit develop skills needed to find jobs and prepare themselves for a better future. 

U-M Field Social Workers Benefit Nonprofits

Amy Kuras Wednesday, April 09, 2014
More than just a well-respected educational institution, U-M's School of Social Work assigns hundreds of students to work for and with nonprofits throughout Washtenaw County. Those students have become a uniquely powerful community asset, offering much-needed support to local organizations and acting as ambassadors for new ideas and strategies.

Revolutions Aims to Get Kids on Bikes and Skis

Deb Pascoe Friday, March 28, 2014
A quiet revolution is taking root in Marquette. Aptly named Revolutions, the program aims to give young people access to the Upper Peninsula's great outdoors.

Finding the Balance Between an Asian and American Identity

Dennis Archambault Monday, March 24, 2014
No matter how loving the home, Asian adoptees often struggle with identity. The impacts of race and culture don't diminish with assimilation. Mam Non is a support program that helps adopted children and their parents bridge the gap between their Asian and American identities.

Teens Create App for Downtown Grand Rapids

Lauren F. Carlson Saturday, March 15, 2014
Students on WMCAT's app design team are discovering their city while learning about design thinking in a unique partnership with Mutually Human and Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. 

Kids Get Leg Up on Health and Fitness

Chelsea Slocum Wednesday, March 12, 2014
For many Michigan kids, reductions in elective physical education classes and recess time leaves them less able to move their bodies in a healthy way every day. Luckily, Gymco is a big player in the business of teaching kids how to play, and they're helping the littlest Grand Rapidians build healthy bodies and strong minds right here in West Michigan.

Kids Nurture Detroit Gardens

Amy Kuras Monday, March 03, 2014
The productive green space is part of the Detroit School Garden Collaborative, a partnership between the Detroit Public Schools and the Greening of Detroit. Amy Kuras eagerly looks forward to planting season in this report. 

Hands-on Tech Experience for Middle School Girls

Stephanie Doublestein Saturday, February 22, 2014
With support from Atomic Object, Software GR hosts unique, one-day, hands-on tech experiences for middle school girls. 

Support for Children of Migrant Workers

Jeff Barr Thursday, February 13, 2014
Without migrant laborers, many Michigan farms wouldn't get their crops in. But the groups of temporary residents can challenge the services available in rural areas. Groups across northwest Michigan provide help with day care, health care, dental services, and summer school for children of the migrant workers who pick crops or do other farm labor for a living.

Ranch for Challenged Kids

Jeff Barr Sunday, February 09, 2014
HopeWell Ranch, northwest of Mt. Pleasant, offers emotionally challenged kids, and other children, a place to connect with horses, learn about relationships, and build self-esteem.

Career Education in Schools

Amy Kuras Sunday, February 02, 2014
A combination of mentoring, job shadowing, and taking kids inside classrooms and labs used to train tomorrow's scientists, doctors and coders is helping prepare young Detroiters for careers in health care. 

Dealing with Student Conflict

Marla R. Miller Saturday, January 25, 2014
Restorative Circles, a new program at Godfrey Lee Middle School in Wyoming, teaches conflict resolution and builds empathy with help from the Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan. 
125 Articles | Page: | Show All
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Bright Ideas

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Can systemic racism impact infant mortality?

Zinta Aistars Friday, June 12, 2015
Even when controlling for poverty, education level, and tobacco use of a mother, maternal and infant health outcomes are far worse for minority populations than European-American women. What's causing the continued disparities? And what can West Michigan do to ensure all babies born here have the best chance of reaching their potential? Zinta Aistars reports on Strong Beginnings, one local program working to give all families a fair start.
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Company Supports 4th Grade Field Trips to Lake Michigan

Victoria Mullen Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Parents working more than one job or odd hours, a lack of funds, and no transportation often prevent kids from experiencing one of Michigan’s incredible natural resources. For the majority of west side Grand Rapids elementary school kids, Lake Michigan is sadly out of reach. OST has teamed up with Grand Rapids Public Schools to give fourth-graders at west side schools the opportunity to experience the big lake firsthand.
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Youth Decide Where Grant Dollars are Spent

Anya Zentmeyer Wednesday, August 13, 2014
For Grand Rapids students who serve as trustees-in-training on the GRCF Youth Grant Committee, giving back to the community goes hand in hand with empowering students to succeed. 
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