Tag Archives: Grand Rapids

Updates on The New Life as We Know It: What are you Doing With Your Margin?

The sunrise has been beautiful the last few days in Grand Rapids. Every day is a new day to be thankful for. At the same time, our world is facing a pandemic, a disruption to our lives, the likes of which we have never seen and will hopefully never see again. I am writing nowContinue reading “Updates on The New Life as We Know It: What are you Doing With Your Margin?”

Grand Rapids Social Enterprise, L3Cs and a Call to Community Partnership.

Yesterday I visited with Dr. Justin Beene – Founder of Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation  (GRCCT) – a collective of non-profit/for-profits working to see flourishing in Grand Rapids for all.  GCCT is essentially a hub for social enterprise, for the common good of the Greater Grand Rapids Area. GRCCT states on its website thatContinue reading “Grand Rapids Social Enterprise, L3Cs and a Call to Community Partnership.”

Grand Rapids Combats the Affordable Housing Crisis through the Rental Assistance Center

Today was my first day back mentoring my student at a local elementary school in the City of Grand Rapids. I was excited to catch up with my student, what had changed over the summer? One thing that changed, he had moved once again. Having to be concerned about where you will be sleeping at night,Continue reading “Grand Rapids Combats the Affordable Housing Crisis through the Rental Assistance Center”

Michigan Behind the Ball with Benefit Corporation Laws.

Good afternoon, all. It has been a while since my last post – I hope you all have been enjoying the summer. I usually include in these posts a recent photo of downtown Grand Rapids where my office overlooks Rosa Parks Circle.  On one of my walks downtown last week I decided to take aContinue reading “Michigan Behind the Ball with Benefit Corporation Laws.”

Staring Into the Eyes of a Fatherless Generation.

There’s nothing like a Michigan summer. Memorial Day weekend means the beginning of summer – and, consequently, the end of the school year.     Today was my last day of mentoring for the school year.  Unless my student moves  (which is always possible) I hope to see him in the Fall. Most of myContinue reading “Staring Into the Eyes of a Fatherless Generation.”

Because We Aren’t Meant to Do Life Alone. Grand Rapids Business Mentoring Connection

On occasion, I post about how I mentor elementary school-aged boys with difficult family backgrounds. The truth is that kids with hard family backgrounds are not the only ones who need mentors. The quote in the photo from New City Initiative in Portland, Oregon is revealing in a lot of ways. Homelessness may, by and large,Continue reading “Because We Aren’t Meant to Do Life Alone. Grand Rapids Business Mentoring Connection”

Michigan Law Update: The Neighborhood and Commercial Corridor Food Initiative. Community Revitalization Now Includes Downtown Grocery Stores.

  Several years ago ago I took my family to New York City. (and took the below photo). Even amidst the chaos of protecting my 4 young children from darting out into oncoming traffic – we absolutely loved the City.   We loved the walk-ability of City life – that you could walk down aContinue reading “Michigan Law Update: The Neighborhood and Commercial Corridor Food Initiative. Community Revitalization Now Includes Downtown Grocery Stores.”

More Updates on Michigan’s Affordable Housing Crisis

Today is a beautiful day in downtown Grand Rapids. The photo below actually from yesterday. There is something about the sun that just puts me in a good mood. A few days ago I did not have a sunny disposition. I was in court during a landlord/tenant docket. I’ll be honest – it was a depressing scene.  ManyContinue reading “More Updates on Michigan’s Affordable Housing Crisis”

Non-Profit provides Legal Advocacy to Homeless Victims of Crimes

I just read this article about a non-profit legal advocacy group helping Homeless Victims of Crimes http://whnt.com/2014/09/10/local-organization-encouraging-homeless-crime-victims-to-seek-help-from-proper-authorities-in-wake-of-mark-pridmores-death/ I always find it exciting to hear about groups or individuals who are truly trying to identify an unmet need in society and then run full speed ahead to meet that need, particularly for the oppressed and vulnerableContinue reading “Non-Profit provides Legal Advocacy to Homeless Victims of Crimes”