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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.

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.

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. 

Dream Big, Start Small

Zinta Aistars Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Dream Big, Start Small in Kalamazoo reaches children as early a possible to better prepare them for school.

Raising Kids in Detroit

Nina Misuraca Ignaczak Wednesday, July 23, 2014
It's no secret that young professionals have gravitated to Detroit's urban center in recent years, but what happens when they start having kids? Nina Misuraca Ignaczak spoke with some families who have made the commitment to stay and raise their kids in the city.

Rosedale-Grandmont Little League: 500 Kids Up to Bat in Detroit

Three Lyons Creative Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Since it was founded in 1992, the Rosedale-Grandmont Little League has been the summer pastime of this west side Detroit neighborhood.

TeenQuest helps future employees stand out above the crowd

Sam Eggleston Wednesday, July 09, 2014
As the economy continues to straighten itself out, there is no doubt any edge a first-time employee can get on entering the working world is important. TeenQuest is here to help.

Unemployment Policies Put Families at Risk

Amy Kuras Wednesday, June 25, 2014
With a jobless rate that's 50 percent below the state average, it's easy to think Ann Arbor is immune to the impacts of long-term unemployment. The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Project commissioned a study on the effects of the state's policies and discovered that we're undermining both our economic recovery and the well-being of our most vulnerable kids.

Wishing you a Happy, Healthy Fourth

Michigan Nightlight Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Michigan Nightlight editorial and photography crew is taking next week off to celebrate Independence Day with friends and family. We’ll be back on July 9,with a new featured profile, a new special report on grassroots health initiatives, and other bright ideas. Enjoy the holiday! 

Video: Playworks Teaches Kids to Play the Right Way

Cass Corridor Films Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Resource-strapped schools have trouble providing recess in a way that is fun for kids and supplements academics. Playworks, a national nonprofit, has partnered with several Detroit schools to provide recess for kids that is fun, educational, and inclusive.

One Thousand Books Before Kindergarten

Zinta Aistars Wednesday, June 11, 2014
If you were writing the book of a child's life wouldn't you like it to have a happy ending? Every day more children are signing up for a Kalamazoo Public Library program intended to give them a life that includes loving the reading of books. 

U.P. Youth Help Conserve Great Lakes

Jeff Barr Wednesday, June 04, 2014
K-12 students are taking part in a monarch butterfly project, while 16-24 year olds have been working in the Great Lakes Conservation Corps for years. Both are initiatives through the Superior Watershed Partnership to connect youth with their environment.

Kids, Families Welcome Spring on Belle Isle

Amy Kuras Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Block By Block, a program of Team 313, clears trash-strewn lots and changes attitudes about littering. But its biggest success are the values youth learn while keeping their neighborhoods clean.

Nightlight Takes Break Next Week

Michigan Nightlight Wednesday, May 21, 2014

At Arts in Motion Studio, Art is the Equalizer

Zinta Aistars Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Arts in Motion Studio in Grand Rapids provides the young and young at heart a space to create, learn, and perform, serving budding creatives of all abilitiies with individualized instruction.
125 Articles | Page: | Show All
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Bright Ideas

FTmaternalcare

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.
ostdogood LIST

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.
FTgrcfgrants-8566LIST

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. 
( 125 ) View All Bright Ideas
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