Michigan’s first constitution, written in 1835, when speaking of the “Legislative Department” states that “the doors of each house shall be open.” It is this spirit of openness of government that inspired the Open Meetings Act. In fact, nearly all of the court decisions and attorneys’ general opinions addressing the act have interpreted it liberally in favor of openness. It has been said that for government to be “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” it must be open to the people. In this article series, which includes “Michigan’s Open Meetings Act: Explore the details” and “Michigan’s Open Meetings Act: Understanding closed Sessions,” we’ll explore the Open Meetings Act in more depth.
The Open Meetings Act (OMA) was written in 1976, as was the Freedom of Information Act. These two laws, known as Michigan’s “sunshine laws,” are designed to make government processes and information more open to the public. Both laws were written in the post-Watergate, post-Vietnam war era.
A former Michigan State University Extension colleague referred to the following general rule: “Any person has a right to attend a meeting of any public body at any time unless the meeting is declared to fall under one of eleven statutory exceptions.” It is a pretty good one-sentence guide to a sometimes complex combination of law, court interpretations and attorney general opinions relating to OMA.
It is important to keep in mind that the OMA applies to governmental bodies, those “empowered by state constitution, statute, charter, ordinance, resolution or rule to exercise…governmental authority.” It does not apply to corporations, nonprofits, churches or the like.
The law guarantees several rights of residents. The public has a right to record meetings, within the bounds of reasonable rules which the public body may write to minimize disruption of the meetings. The public, likewise, has a right to address the public body, also within the bounds of rules written to facilitate orderly meetings and protecting everyone’s right to address the board. An individual can only be removed from a meeting for a breach of the peace committed at that meeting.
Social and chance gatherings, or conferences which are not intended to avoid the OMA, are exempt. These types of gatherings often are treated with suspicion by the press and the public. It is important for public bodies to be careful not to deliberate or make decisions about government business during these gatherings. This can be accomplished by paying careful attention to what the OMA says about deliberations and decisions.
The Office of the Attorney General for the State of Michigan has for many years published an excellent Open Meetings Act Handbook, which can be found here.
Delta Air Lines passenger Keith O’Brien and Southwest passenger Karen Burleson were surprised as the “GRRand Passengers” as the Ford Airport celebrated its record setting 2019. (Supplied)
The Gerald R. Ford International (GFIA) Airport has set a new all-time passenger record for 2019, marking the seventh consecutive year that the Airport has seen record- setting growth.
In 2019, 3,587,767 passengers flew in and out of GFIA, an increase of 9.88 percent from 2018. December growth helped cap the record-setting year with an increase of 12.85-percent year-over-year. December 2018 saw 275,681 total passengers, but 2019 surpassed that with 311,111 enplaned and deplaned passengers. The Ford Airport has seen growth in 77 of the last 84 months, and 27 straight.
“Our record-setting growth is a testament to the support of our community, and the growth of our region,” said GFIA President & CEO Tory Richardson. “We have grown tremendously over the last seven years because we continue to add nonstop routes, state-of-the-art amenities and technology, and our guest first focus. We appreciate our loyal West Michigan passengers and visitors for choosing the Ford Airport in their travels. You are not only supporting local jobs and our local economy, but the more you fly with us, the more we will grow.”
GFIA celebrated the milestone by surprising two lucky passengers on Tuesday afternoon.
Karen Burleson from Caledonia, a Southwest Airlines passenger, and Keith O’Brien from Comstock Park, a Delta Air Lines passenger, were chosen as the “GRRand Passengers” as they deplaned their flights. The two were each met with a balloon bouquet, cupcakes, cheering employees and guests, along with an array of prizes. Each received two $350 travel vouchers – good for travel from the Ford Airport any time in 2020. Additionally, they received three free days of parking, a Hudson News & Gifts travel package valued at more than $350, gift cards and goodies from Starbucks and HMS Host, and more.
“I did not expect this today,” said a surprised Burleson. “I love this airport and my daughter just moved to Texas so I’m looking forward to going to see her with my voucher.”
The growth over the last few years started in 2013 with a passenger record of 2,237,979. In 2018, the Ford Airport surprised its 3 millionth passenger. GFIA has served over 80 million passengers since January 1, 1964, and March 2019 was the single busiest month in Airport history with 341,534 total passengers.
Continued upward trends has meant changes in the facility and ongoing construction projects for the Ford Airport. Phase one of the Gateway Transformation Project concluded in September 2017, and phase two is slated to complete in Summer 2020. The project’s main feature includes upgrading airline ticket counters, baggage claim space, and eliminating TSA screening machines in the front-facing areas of the lobby. Construction also includes new terrazzo flooring, lighting fixtures, new restrooms, new food & beverage space, and much more.
Spring 2020 will also see the beginning of Project Elevate – a three-development expansion that commences with a $90 million extension and reconstruction of Concourse A to accommodate projected passenger growth over the next 20 years.
“It is crucial that our facilities keep up with our growing passenger demand,” said Richardson. “We are committed to not only offering more options for nonstop flights and competition when searching for travel, but our amenities, technology, customer service and infrastructure all need to keep pace with that advancement. We are excited to see what the future brings, and we appreciate the partnerships with all of our airlines and tenants.”
Seventh grader Sharnique Walton is concerned about police brutality.
Hunger relief is an issue that eighth grader Aryanna McCrary would like to work on.
Eighth grader Nazaria Spears wants to bring awareness to the ways society objectifies women.
All three girls are members of Girls for Change, a Godwin Middle School group that helps girls develop skills to create social change. They meet twice a week to learn about big social problems and to work on solutions.
Nazaria Spears is another Girls for Change member. (School News Network)
On a recent Monday, members spent the morning creating a public service announcement at West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology. The message: Don’t body shame girls and women.
“We all feel strongly about abuse, objectification and judgments toward our gender,” said Aryanna.
The girls settled on the message for their current project during a brainstorm session at one of their recent meetings. It will be shown in school and posted on social media.
Margie Muñoz advises the Girls for Change group. (School News Network)
A Commitment to Justice
“If we provide the space for girls to learn and explore these topics, they know how to handle them, they know how to think critically through them,” said Adviser Margie Muñoz, community school coordinator for Kent School Services Network.
Muñoz secured grant funding from the YWCA to start a Girls for Change chapter in her building. To be involved, girls had to fill out applications. As a condition of participation, they have to be on track with grades, attendance and behavior. They give up one lunch period and one advisory period per week to participate.
Aryanna McCrary participates in Girls for Change at Godwin Heights Middle School. (School News Network)
Sharnique said Middle School Principal Bradley Tarrance suggested she join the group. She says it’s a good way to learn about issues like human trafficking and to develop leadership skills.
“We want to change the world,” said Sharnique.
Muñoz said the experience has been enlightening and empowering. “They’re fully committed, and now they are working on developing social justice skills and speaking up for what they care about,” said Muñoz. “They’re amazing. They’re super-powerful, and I’m really impressed by them.”
For more stories on area schools, visit the School News Network’s website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
Godwin Heights boys basketball (shown from a 2019 game) is on the WKTV Featured Game schedule this week . (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
After a tough season-opening stretch of tough non-conference games, the Godwin Heights High School boys basketball team has started its OK-conference Silver schedule with wins over Belding and Wyoming Lee and a tight road loss at Hopkins.
The Wolverines (3-6 overall, 2–1 in conference) will seek to continue its conference roll as the team hosts NorthPointe Christian (3-5, 1-1) Tuesday, Jan. 21, in a WKTV Sports Featured Game, which will be available on cable television and on-demand at WKTVlive.org.
So far this season, Godwin head coach Tyler Whittemore’s team has been led by seniors Cleveland (CJ) Baskin (6.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds per game, 3 assists per game) and Milton Brown (5 ppg, 4 rpg, 4 apg). But the team’s leading scorers are both freshmen, Jakhary Towns (17 ppg, 2 rpg, 2 apg) and Demarie Thompson (8 ppg, 3.5 apg, 3 rpg).
“Baskin is a versatile player. He will handle the ball for us to initiate the offense, but is also good at slashing to the basket off the ball,” Whittemore said to WKTV. “He … is the only player with stats from last year. The other guys have very little to no varsity experience.”
Of his two freshman starters, Whittemore said Townes is an “explosive scorer from outside … (and) he is a very good shooter from the 3-point line.” While Thompson is “a tough and talented point guard. He has very good court-vision.”
Whittemore praised his other senior starter, Brown, as a “very tough player. He is a smart player that will help everyone around him be more efficient. He can guard multiple positions and will end up on the opposing team’s best player down the stretch.”
And the team other usual starter, junior Martine Bickety (3 ppg, 3rpg) is the “toughest defender we have,” his coach said.
First off the Godwin bench are junior Jamontae Burrell (4 ppg) and sophomore Jordan Norman (4.5 ppg), while junior Ru’Quan Buckley will return from injury in the Tuesday game.
Other players on the team (according to the team’s school webpage) include senior Sa’Viance Morris-Miller and juniors Jacob Horrell, Kyeshaun Hunnicutt and Jadyn Rodriguez.
Last season, the Wolverines were 15-6 overall and won the OK Silver with a 12-0 mark before falling to Grand Rapids South Christian in an opening round playoff game.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
The Wyoming Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting its annual Daddy Daughter Dance, Saturday, Feb. 8.
Fathers and father figures are invited to bring their girls age 3 – 15 years old for a night of dancing, games, and fun. The event will be from 6 – 8 p.m. at the Wyoming Senior Center, 2380 DeHoop SW.
The cost is $8 for residents and $12 for non-residents. The cost is per person and pre-registration is required. To register, call 616-530-3164 or click here.
The Wyoming Department of Public Safety is seeking information regarding a homicide that took place Sunday, Jan. 19.
At approximately 10:35 p.m. on Jan. 19, members of the Wyoming Department of Public Safety responded to a shots fired called in the 5000 block of Curtis Drive SW. Officers located a victim with a fatal gunshot wound near 5027 Curtis Drive SW. The victim was later identified as Wyoming resident Medardo David Ibuado, who was 23-years-old.
The relationship between the victim and the shooter or shooters is not known but preliminary information suggests that while the suspect or suspects are not in-custody, there is no specific threat or reason to believe there is any elevated danger to the general public, according the Wyoming Department of Public Safety.
There is no suspect description available at this time.
Anyone with information regarding this homicide is asked to contact the Wyoming Police at 616-530-7300 or 911. They can also report information anonymously by calling Silent Observer at 616-774-2345.
The Wyoming high girls basketball team used a balanced scoring attack, good defense and some clutch free-throw points down the stretch to score a 73-63 win over Wayland Jan. 14. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
The second game of a long OK-Conference schedule may have been too early to be called a must-win game for the Wyoming High School girls basketball team, but the Wolves Tuesday, Jan. 14, home-court win over then undefeated Wayland was a really good win.
Wyoming (4-5 overall and 1-1 in OK Gold) used a balanced scoring attack and some clutch defense down the stretch to score a 73-63 win over the Wildcats (8-1 overall, 1-1) and give the Wolves a little momentum in conference play.
“Our conference is so tough, Wayland was 8-0 coming in … East Grand Rapids is one of the top teams in the state … anytime we go into our conference, it is a battle,” Wolves coach Troy Mast, now in his fifth year at Wyoming, said to WKTV after the game. “It was early in the season, but we play every game as if it were the last game of the year.”
In the Wayland win, the Wolves were led by 20 points — including six 3-pointers — from senior McKenzie Ruppert and 15 points from fellow senior Mikayla Petree. But they also got 12 points each from junior Taejah Cross and sophomore Michelle McGee, eight points from sophomore Mikayla Marzean and six points from sophomore Marissa Menard.
“Our kids were ready tonight,” Mast said. “I am so proud of how they performed and took care of each other and played so hard.”
Wyoming high coach Troy Mast talking to his team during a win over Wayland Jan. 14. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
That balanced scoring, from experienced upperclassmen and still-developing sophomores, has been a strength of Wyoming so far this season.
“We do not have one girl we can count on … but we feel like we have five, six, seven girl who can score on a given night,” Mast said. “We just want to win. It doesn’t matter who scores.”
In addition to seniors Ruppert and Petree, the Wolves are also led by senior Aniyah Jones. Other juniors on the squad include Charde’ Fudge, Naomi Goodson and Delfina Hernandez-Key. In addition to McGee, Marzen and Menard, other youth on the team include sophomores Jenna VanderPloeg and Avery Jirous, and freshman Treyah Cross.
“We have senior leaders … Mikayla Petree has been on the varsity for four years … and each year she has taken on more and more responsibility,” Mast said. “But we also have some young kids who can play. We feel like that, as we go though the season, if we can balance those two together, we’ll be alright.”
While Wyoming lost four of seven non-conference games, Mast said there were lessons learned from close, early-season losses to the likes of Forest Hills Central, Grandville and Rockford.
“We felt like we played a tougher (non-conference) schedule than most teams in our conference,” he said.
The Wolves will be at Grand Rapids Christian (7-1, 0-1) for another conference game Friday, Jan. 17.
The Wolves were 8-13 last season and were 5-7 in OK-Conference Gold play. This season the coaching staff includes assistants Julian Goodson (the junior varsity head coach) and Eric Brown.
The Wyoming vs. Wayland girls and boys games were a WKTV Sports Featured Games and is available on cable television and on-demand at WKTVlive.org.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
You could compare the compatibility of first-grade teachers Julie Dykstra and Sarah Beld to a popular combination: peanut butter and jelly.
“Welcome to the PB and J Suite,” said Dykstra, who with Beld is bringing team teaching to a new level at Gladiola Elementary by combining their classrooms into one super-sized group.
Sandwiched between their two rooms is a connecting space — a former coat closet transformed into a mini-library. Through it, students walk back and forth before settling into reading on one side or math on the other, depending on the time of day.
But the PB and J reference goes beyond teachers working in sync. One first grader defined how students refer to the rooms: “This is peanut butter,” he said referring to the classroom where he stood. “That’s jelly,” he said pointing into the connected classroom.
Together, Dykstra and Beld are teaching 38 students — dubbed Peanut Butter Kids or Jelly Kids, depending on whose student they are on the class roster and because they split up for art, music and gym. All students spend most of the day together, with one teacher leading and the other assisting students individually or in small groups.
When it’s time for quiet reading and writing, students find a spot on either side.
The combined classroom allows for more individualized instruction, including in groups
You Do This; I Do That
The longtime colleagues pitched the idea of joining forces last year. They were both seeing losses in instruction time due to behavior management and found it difficult to meet individual needs of students at different academic levels. Principal Cheryl Corpus agreed to pilot the idea, combining the group of 52 students. There also is a third, traditional first grade classroom.
“By the end of last year, we learned it was powerful collaboration of students and staff alike. Students were able to build relationships across groups and teachers were collaborating every day to meet the needs of their students,” Corpus said. “By maximizing instructional time, supporting one another, and differentiating for the students, we saw impact behaviorally and academically.”
Because of its success at the first grade level, second grade teachers Jennifer Blackburn and Charon Leal also joined their classes this year, sharing 56 students. Their space is different than the first grade teachers; it’s all one big room.
Blackburn said Dykstra and Beld realized some of their students thrived under the combined model, and “sold us the idea.”
For more stories on local schools, visit School News Network at schoolnewsnetwork.org.
At the Jan. 13 Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters Committee’s monthly forum at Wyoming City Hall were chamber member and moderator Kathy Bates, chamber president Bob O’Callaghan, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley and Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
Local governmental leaders — from the mayors of Wyoming and Kentwood, to a county commissioner and state legislators, to representatives of federal officials — looked ahead to 2020 as part of a wide-ranging inter-governmental leaders meeting Monday, Jan. 13. at the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Government Matters Committee’s monthly forum at Wyoming City Hall.
The meeting, as always, was hosted by chamber member and moderator Kathy Batey and chamber president Bob O’Callaghan. The intergovernmental discussion hosted by the chamber focuses on issues that effect residents and businesses in the two cities.
The Government Matters meeting brings together representatives from the cities of Wyoming and Kentwood, Kent County commissioners, local Michigan state senators and representatives, as well as often representatives of Michigan’s U.S. senators and U.S. congressman who represent the Wyoming and Kentwood area.
At the January meeting, Kentwood Mayor Stephen Kepley and Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll represented their cities. Kent County Commissioner Monica Sparks was also present. State leaders included Sen. Peter MacGregor and Reps. Tommy Brann and Steven Johnson.
On the federal level, the panel included Brian Patrick, communications director for federal Rep. Bill Huizenga (Michigan Congressional District 2), and Peter Dickow, West Michigan Regional Director for U.S. Sen. Gary Peters.
The next meeting will be Feb. 10, from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., at Wyoming City Hall.
For more information about the chamber and Government Matters visit southkent.org.
The meetings are on the second Monday of each month, starting at 8 a.m. WKTV Journal will produce a highlight story after the meeting. But WKTV also offers replays of the latest meeting on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., as well as on select Saturdays, on Comcast Cable Government Channel 26. For a highlight schedule of WKTV cable programs visit wktvjournal.org.
Kentwood resident Sagar Dangal understands people’s hesitation about filling out the U.S. Census. When he saw his first census in 2010, his reaction was much the same.
“I remember when I first saw it, I was like what is the census?” said Kentwood resident Sagar Dangal. “I’m not going to fill this out.”
Flash forward 10 years to 2020, he is not only filling out his own census questionnaire but working within the Bhutanese community to build a bridge of understanding about the U.S .Census and its importance.
This is not an easy task. Concerned over the Nepali minority in Bhutan, the Bhutanese government conducted a census targeting the Nepali community within the country. Due to persecution, many of the Bhutanese Nepali fled the country with a large population, 85 percent of the refugees, eventually settling in the United States.
“The issue of illegal immigrants and the concern of deportation is not something of a concert with the Bhutanese community,” Dangal said, adding most are U.S. citizens having come to the United States in 2007/2008. The older generation still remembers what happened in Bhutan, Dangal said, and that is where the education of what the census is becomes important.
“Once you explain what it is, that it is a count of the people, and not about ethnicity, but rather to assure that your community is getting the funding it needs, then people are more open to it,” Dangal said.
A U.S. Census ad designed for the Hispanic community. (U.S. Census Bureau)
Daniela Rojas, fund development and communication manager of the West Michigan Hispanic Center of Commerce said she has found the same with the Hispanic community.
“Response has been pretty positive,” Rojas said. “People may not understand what it is or how it impacts their daily lives, but they are not seeing it as a negative.”
Rojas admitted that the true test will come if people respond by filling out the census in March and April.
A hurdle for the Hispanic community has been concern that census would be use to find illegal citizens even though the question of U.S. citizenship has been removed from the census.
“Of course, we are living in a time of fear and distrust, but I believe we have done well in helping people understand that this is how federal money will impact the next 10 years,” Rojas said.
The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is one of many agencies that has received grant funding from the Heart of West Michigan United Way to help with the U.S. Census. The Chamber has been canvassing communities, giving out materials in Spanish and English and “I Count” buttons at various events, and does work on social media. The organization handed out more than 3,000 flyers at August’s Hispanic Festival.
“We are making sure that people know that the information gathered is helpful not hurtful,” Rojas said, adding that the biggest hurdle has been the lack of smartphones, WiFi and other electronic devices where people could go on their own to learn more about the census. The other challenge has been reaching people who have “thrown up their hands on the census and the government because they really don’t see where it matters.”
A U.S. Census ad focused on the Vietnamese community. (U.S. Census Bureau)
The census does matter, according to Kerry Ebersole, executive director at 202 Census, State of Michigan.
“Every person is profoundly impacted by the the U.S. Census as it is the gold standard in how the federal government distributes its funding,” Ebersole said.
For the State of Michigan, it is about $30 billion from the federal government that is distributed to the state. This covers funding for a number of items such as health care, school lunches, Meals on Wheel, transportation, along with determining representation in the U.S. House and the Michigan House and Senate.
Flyers like this one at Wyoming’s Marge’s Donut Den are being put up to help inform people of the upcoming census. (WKTV/Joanne Bailey-Boorsma)
Helping to spread the word about what the census, the U.S. Census Bureau recently announced an extensive advertising campaign that features ads focused on several minority groups such as the Hispanic population. The 2020census.gov site also includes content and guides in 59 languages, such as Nepali, Dutch, Greek, Spanish, and Swahili, with residents able to respond to the nine census questions online and by phone in 13 languages. The entire 2020census.gov site includes information in both English and Spanish.
To help make sure Michigan citizens are counted, the State of Michigan has established its own website, michigan.gov/census2020 and on social media can be found by searching for Mi Census.
WKTV Journal In Focus’s audio only podcast of a Community Conversation on Homelessness featured Kentwood City Commissioner and community advocate Emily Bridson moderating along with Marshall Kilgore and, from left, panelists Hillary Scholten and Bo Torres. (WKTV)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal’s In Focus series of podcasts, we bring you City of Kentwood Commissioner Emily Bridson’s Community Conversation on Immigration, held Thursday, Jan. 9, at Broad Leaf Local Beer in Kentwood.
The event was moderated by Bridson and Marshall Kilgore, Western Michigan Director for United Precinct Delegates, and included panelists Hillary Scholten, candidate for the U.S. 3rd Congressional District, and Bo Torres, a Hispanic community leader.
WKTV Journal In Focus’s audio only podcast of a Community Conversation on Immigration set-up by Kentwood City Commissioner and community advocate Emily Bridson drew a crowd Jan. 9. (WKTV)
The conversation drew about 100 people, with standing room only, and included discussion on current immigration policies as well as the contributions made to the United States from immigrants — both documented and undocumented. It also included discussion on proposed Michigan governmental action to change the state’s driver’s license laws.
Regular episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times).Individual interviews area also available on WKTV’s YouTube Channel at WKTVvideos.
Homeless, with Homework: A new School News Network series on homelessness in schools and its connection to housing. As costs rise and the rental market has low availability, nearly 2,500 students in Kent ISD public schools are facing homelessness. These stories look into what’s led to the issue and how it impacts students. For more on the series, click here.
One in seven African American children in Kent County — 2,658 in all — were in the homeless system in 2018, according to data from K-Connect. (School News Network)
For much of her life, Kayla Morgan has faced uncertainty about where she would lay her head down at night.
As a teenager, she attended a different high school each school year, moving from foster home to foster home in the West Michigan area. As an adult she lived in different temporary housing arrangements for two years with her children.
Kayla Morgan, who continues to face housing insecurity, runs her own yoga business (photo by Dianne Carroll Burdick)
Now, the activist, owner of Resilient Roots Yoga, and mom of three elementary-age children enrolled in Grand Rapids Public Schools is working to change the trajectory of people of color struggling to find stable and affordable housing.
“I think there needs to be more representation of people of color in higher management positions and at decision-making tables,” Morgan said. “I think Grand Rapids has to acknowledge that it’s not the best place to live for everybody.”
Morgan is a “lived experience” expert who works with KConnect, a team of community stakeholders working together to address issues affecting children, youth and families.
In that role, Morgan talks about the impact of trauma and generational poverty on her life, and how she turned to abusive relationships in hopes of having a permanent place to live. She talks about the frustration of hard-to-navigate systems, of policies that keep people oppressed and how few good options exist for low-income people looking for places to live.
In the 11 years since she aged out of the foster care system, Morgan has continued to relocate frequently due to financial situations and other life circumstances. She and her children spent many months homeless, often sleeping at friends’ houses.
People of Color Disproportionately Impacted
Morgan’s voice is providing personal testimony to the fact that there’s major disproportionality by race when it comes to people affected by homelessness. One in seven African American children in Kent County — 2,658 in all — were in the homeless system in 2018, according to data from K-Connect.
The disparity is not just in African Americans.Out of all children in the county, one in 46 were in the homeless system in 2018. But for Hispanic/Latino children the proportion was one in 54, while for white children it was one in 160. In total, 10,538 people were in the homeless system last year, of which 3,741 — 33 percent — were children.
“These numbers are crushing and yet, these numbers only reflect the children we know about,” said Brandy Lovelady-Mitchell, Kent ISD director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and member of KConnect’s Housing Security Design Team. “There are likely others who are impacted by homelessness whom our system knows nothing about yet. Our community needs to know the magnitude of the demand and the urgency.”
This data point amplifies the reality that many black people are struggling in Kent County, Lovelady-Mitchell said, adding, “Please hear me when I say it is not because of any deficit in black people.”
Education, health, employment rates, economic development and opportunities all factor into generational wealth, and there are major disparities in these areas by race, she said.
“Each of (those) elements intersect with housing and the way that race influences these systems. I see the faces behind those numbers which brings me to my knees. One child is too many.”
Diana Sieger, president of the Grand Rapids Community Foundation and KConnect board member, said seeing the data is “horrific.”
“It’s important to look at the data; it’s also important to feel what this means,” Sieger said. “We need to acknowledge systemic racism is really at the root of all of this, particularly when we look at the statistics of homeless children.”
The data includes literally homeless people (without a fixed, regular nighttime residence or living in shelters, hotels and motels) or people who are facing the imminent threat of losing their residence. (KConnect data includes infants and children not old enough for school, so differs from McKinney-Vento Act data, which includes only children enrolled in school that have been reported as homeless.)
Huge Gaps in Income
Income helps explain the disproportion. According to KConnect data, in Kent County, average monthly earnings for white workers in the second quarter of 2018 was $4,411, compared to $2,840 for black workers. That’s $25.45 per hour compared to $16.38 per hour for a 40-hour work week.
The numbers showpaying for basic needs is difficult for many families. The basic annual cost of living for a family of four in 2017, according to the ALICE report, completed by the Michigan Association of United Ways, was $61,272 — up 27 percent from 2010 and equal to an hourly wage of $30.64.
“TAKING $2 MILLION AND BUYING HOUSES THAT COULD BE PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION IS A MUCH BETTER SOLUTION THAT CREATING SMALL UNITS AND PACKING PEOPLE TOGETHER WHERE THERE’S NO SPACE TO GROW.”
— Kayla Morgan, Grand Rapids mom and lived experience expert for KConnect
In terms of housing, Sieger said there is much more need than federal subsidies available to help very low-income families pay for housing in Grand Rapids. She said she is grateful data is being scrutinized, and hopes it leads to framing housing as a larger community problem and then yield new ways of addressing it.
Lovelady-Mitchell also struck a hopeful note.
“I believe Kent County is rich with people who care, rich with resources and hopefully rich with people who are invested in inclusive growth,” she said. “I believe our region will find a way to change this sooner versus later for the sake of all of our babies, especially the one in seven black babies who are under this burden.”
Kayla Morgan uses yoga as a way to reduce the effects of stress and trauma (photo by Dianne Carroll Burdick)
Housing Struggles Continue
Kayla Morgan continues to face difficulty in finding housing she can afford that is safe and adequate for her children and mother, who needs care due to health problems.
“My kids don’t have a yard; they can’t go outside and play,” she said. “Going in the hallway, I feel like it’s not safe. There are liquor bottles lying around. … There are people fighting.”
She was in the process of moving from one Grand Rapids nonprofit-owned apartment to another, a place where she was on the waiting list for a full year. She paid more than $1,500 for deposit and first month’s rent on a new lease.
“I do feel like we are still not housed by choice,” she said, meaning she has always had to take what she can get and what’s available. “It’s whoever calls you back. We weren’t even able to look at these apartments before we applied; it was basically you take what you can get or leave.”
When walking through the Northeast side apartment for the first time, she discovered roaches, exposed outlets, dirty floors and other areas in need of repair. She said she hoped to get her money back and search for something else, but worried she would have to move in with others again. As of early December she had decided to stay in the apartment.
“I SEE THE FACES BEHIND THOSE NUMBERS WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY KNEES. ONE CHILD IS TOO MANY.”
— Brandy Lovelady-Mitchell
Morgan, who said she does not receive rental assistance or Section 8 Housing Vouchers, doesn’t believe more government-subsidized units is the best answer. She wants economic amends for past injustices to be part of the conversation.
“We wouldn’t choose to live in projects, which is what they are. They are building projects and putting us there not by choice.
“Taking $2 million and buying houses that could be passed down from generation to generation is a much better solution than creating small units and packing people together where there’s no space to grow.”
Morgan said the number of homeless children of color is unacceptable.
“It makes me angry. It makes me sad and I think someone needs to apologize. Someone needs to take accountability,” she said. Systems need to change, she said.
“I think there have to be more discussions around antiracism policies and procedures beyond lip service, with succession planning and anti-racism being in the DNA of every organization.”
Morgan hopes to one day to have a home that she can truly call her own.
“I would love for my kids to have one place they can live in until they move out and we don’t have to move again,” she said.
“I would love to have a house that I own where my kids could play outside and it’s in a safe neighborhood and it’s close to their school.”
For more stories about area schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
The Wyoming High School Wolves boys basketball team, from an early season game, will be a WKTV Featured Game this week. (Curtis Holt)
By WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The Featured Game coverage schedule for January includes the following:
Tuesday, Jan. 14 — Girls/Boys Basketball Wayland at Wyoming
Friday, Jan. 17 — Girls/Boys Basketball Hudsonville at East Kentwood
Tuesday, Jan. 21 — Boys Basketball NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights
Friday, Jan. 24 — Boys Basketball Zion Christian at Tri-Unity Christian
Tuesday, Jan. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Grand River Prep at Zion Christian
Friday, Jan. 31 — Girls/Boys Basketball Caledonia at East Kentwood
Want to be a television sports announcer?
If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.
Where and when to see the game
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, Jan. 13 Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights @ Belding Wyoming @ Zeeland East Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Sparta – Boys Hopkins @ Kelloggsville South Christian @ Unity Christian
Tuesday, Jan. 14 Girls Cheer @ East Kentwood Girls Basketball West Ottawa @ East Kentwood Belding @ Godwin Heights Wayland @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Event Muskegon Orchard View @ Tri-Unity Christian NorthPointe Christian @ Kelloggsville South Christian @ East Grand Rapids Potter’s House @ Martin Muskegon Catholic Central @ Grand River Prep West Michigan Lutheran @ GR Homeschoolers Hudsonville Libertas Christian @ West Michigan Aviation Boys Basketball East Kentwood @ West Ottawa Godwin Heights @ Belding Wayland @ Wyoming – WKTV Featured Event Kelloggsville @ NorthPointe Christian East Grand Rapids @ South Christian Martin @ Potter’s House
Wednesday, Jan. 15 Boys Wrestling Hudsonville @ East Kentwood Montague @ Godwin Heights Middleville T-K @ Wyoming Wyoming Lee @ Muskegon Catholic Central Kelloggsville @ Muskegon Catholic Central Boys/Girls Bowling NorthPointe Christian @ Godwin Heights East Grand Rapids @ Wyoming Belding @ Wyoming Lee FH Eastern @ South Christian Girls Cheer Wyoming Lee @ Kelloggsville Boys Basketball Tri-Unity Christian @ Lansing Christian Girls Basketball WMAES @ West Michigan Aviation
Thursday, Jan. 16 Boys Swimming/Diving West Ottawa @ East Kentwood Boys Bowling Tri-Unity Christian @ Wellsprings Prep
Friday, Jan. 17 Girls Basketball Hudsonville @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights Wyoming @ Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Fruitport Calvary Hopkins @ Kelloggsville South Christian @ Unity Christian Holland Black River @ Grand River Prep West Michigan Lutheran @ Algoma Christian West Michigan Aviation @ West Catholic Boys Basketball Hudsonville @ East Kentwood – WKTV Featured Event Wyoming Lee @ Godwin Heights Wyoming @ Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Fruitport Calvary Hopkins @ Kelloggsville South Christian @ Unity Christian Holland Black River @ Grand River Prep West Michigan Lutheran @ Algoma Christian Zion Christian @ Holland Calvary West Michigan Aviation @ West Catholic Boys Hockey South Christian @ West Ottawa
Saturday, Jan. 18 Boys Wrestling East Kentwood @ Holt Godwin Heights @ FH Central Wyoming @ Jenison Kelloggsville @ Christian Boys Swimming/Diving East Kentwood@ Kalamazoo Loy Norrix Boys Hockey Ann Arbor Gabriel Richard @ East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation South Christian @ Rockford
Monday, January 20 Boys/Girls Bowling Hudsonville @ East Kentwood Godwin Heights @ Wyoming Lee Tri-Unity Christian @ Muskegon Orchard View Calvin Christian @ Kelloggsville South Christian @ Wayland
Today we find a more casual workplace in both time and place. We have also seen a change in the dynamics of who we are working with. It can be challenging to meet the needs of the customers and the people with whom we work alongside. However, equipped with a greater understanding and improved communication skills, an employee can serve all generations and win for themselves and their establishment.
Millennials (Generation Y), Gen Xers and baby boomers make up the bulk of the workforce today, giving it a look like a mixed-up doubles tennis tournament.
How do we work effectively with other generations? What type of needs, goals and values do the different generations have? Reacting to teammates or coworkers in the workplace is somewhat like playing doubles in tennis. Who plays the net? Who runs the baseline? When do you come up and when do you stay back? You must understand not only your own strengths and weaknesses, but also how to react to the movements of your partner and how to handle what is coming over the net. Communication, openness and understanding can be the best approach for working with other generations. If you want to succeed in this new workplace, you’ll have to work as a team.
In this three-part series from Michigan State University Extension, these articles will look at the younger generations — Gen Y and millennials — and older generations — Gen X and baby boomers. Just as the demarcation lines of these generations can be debated as discussed in The Atlantic article “Here is When Each Generation Begins and Ends, According to Facts,” these articles will use some generalities and refer to these groups as older or younger generations.
It is not just the cutoff between years that can be in debate. Please be aware of stereotypes as it is discussed by Rebecca Hastings from the Society for Human Resource Management in “Generational Differences Exist, But Beware Stereotypes.” Sometimes the data and surveys don’t match with the charts or expectations. We are all still individuals and we still need to get to know each other, but we will be using these generational differences charts and this current information to gain a greater perspective and improve on our managing styles and how we better work with each other.
This series of articles will discuss how each generation can succeed in the multigenerational workplace of today. Also covered in this series will be how different generations can gain from each other the skills they may lack and how each generation can enrich the work experience. It is what each generation brings to the “court” that makes it that much more enjoyable and exciting. Working with someone of another generation can benefit your career and enrich your life.
The upcoming series will start off with communication, a key to any successful business or workplace. As the series continues, it will then cover the values that each of these generations possess and how to take advantage of those assets. It will touch on how to reward and give feedback to each generation. Finally, it will the address the learning aspect. Gaining from each generation an understanding of the skills they possess, and then passing that information on to others. All of which will make for better employees and a better workplace environment.
Michigan State University Extension and Michigan 4-H Youth Development help to prepare young people for successful futures. As a result of career exploration and workforce preparation activities, thousands of Michigan youth are better equipped to make important decisions about their professional future, ready to contribute to the workforce and able to take fiscal responsibility in their personal lives. For more information or resources on career exploration, workforce preparation, financial education, or entrepreneurship, contact 4-HCareerPrep@anr.msu.edu.
I would really be doing something right, perhaps even important, if I was bringing even a little more compassion into the world through Big Bird.
Caroll Spinney, the man who brought Big Bird to life
By WKTV Staff joanne@wktv.org
The Weekend List
The Grand Rapids Symphony’s first 2020 concert of the year is Friday and Saturday, Jan. 10 and 11, at DeVos Performance Hall. (Supplied)
There is s storm coming? Well strap on those chains because there is lots to do this weekend! The Grand Rapids Symphony performs a classical concert Friday and Saturday, Jan. 10 and 11, at DeVos Performance Hall. Also the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre has opened its latest production, “A Streetcar Named Desire,” which runs through Jan. 26 at the theater, 30 N. Division Ave. And LowellArts opened its exhibition “The Art of Change,” at its gallery, 223 E. Main St., Lowell. Click here for more information and tickets.
Now Hiring
If you are interested in working for the U.S. Census Bureau for the 2020 Census, well you only have a few more weeks to apply. Since the bureau has not received enough applicants for census positions, it has increased the pay for Michigan, which is now between $14 – $25. In Kent County, it is $25 per hour. For more information about how to apply and the positions available, click here.
For Free?
The holidays are over and so is the excitement of the new family pet you got. Well before you decide to get rid of Fido or Felicity for free, there are a few things you should know, such as do not give any animal away for free and investigate the person who is interest in taking your pet. For more information, click here.
Fun Fact: All Buttoned Up
So if you have every ventured down to Ah-Nab-Awen- Park (you know the park next to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum), you might have noticed a large red button with parents either encouraging or discouraging their children to play on it. Well, “Lorie’s Button,” as it is called, was part of a design competition to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial year. It was designed by Hy Zelkowitz and installed during the 1976 Festival of the Arts. The piece is one of the most expensive artworks for the city to maintain because, yes, it was designed for form and function, meaning children can play on it and families are encouraged to take photos. Glad we finally were able to settle that debate.
Godwin Heights High School’s girls basketball team in action against Wyoming Tri-unity Christian on Jan. 7. (WKTV)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
The Godwin Heights High School girls basketball team (5-1) closed out their early non-conference season schedule Tuesday, Jan. 6, with a convincing, if at times sloppy, 58-38 non-conference home win over Wyoming Tri-unity Christian.
And while the Wolverines’ schedule will get more challenging now as it enters OK-Conference Silver play Friday, Jan. 10, at Hopkins (3-3 in early season action), head coach Cassie Medina likes what she has seen from her team of nine juniors and one super freshman.
And she really likes what she thinks the team could become this season and next.
“I’m excited, because I had half of them (the juniors) on varsity last year, so we are still building,” Medina said to WKTV after the Tuesday game. “I feel like this year is the year and next year is the year.”
Medina is now 82-59 overall at Godwin, but is 77-44 without a losing season after going 5-15 in 2012-13, her first year leading the varsity.
Godwin Heights High School’s girls basketball team before a game Jan. 7. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
In the Tri-unity game, the Wolverines had seven players in the scoring column, led by center Jakaya Lay’s 15 points and freshman guard KaShari Babb’s 12 points. Guard Lashay Lee added nine points and forward Anika Clark eight.
Other juniors on the team include guards Lanaja Polk-Craig, Diamond Johnson and Hannah Barns, forward Shantil Johnson and center Jaida Walls.
Godwin Heights High School’s girls basketball team head coach Cassir Medina talks during a timeout in a Jan. 7 game. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
And while coach Medina feels she can and will get scoring — and tight defense — from just about anybody she puts on the court, Lay has been very impressive on both offense and defense in the paint, and Babb was is just beginning to show why she was too good to not play point guard/off guard on varsity.
Godwin Heights High School’s girls basketball team had nine juniors and one freshman, guard KaShari Babb, right. (WKTV)
Babb’s “basketball smarts is just too good, there is just no way she should be JV,” Medina said. “If you watch her, her basketball IQ, she sees layups inside, she sees open players. She is just too good.”
And Lay is not only developing into a scoring machine, but she rebounds and plays tough inside defense without drawing carless fouls — she did not have a single foul against Tri-unity.
“Her footwork is so good inside. For her size, she’s a little shorter (5-foot-9), her footwork is so nice,” Medina said. “The way she can get the ball and move … I’m amazed at the inside moves she has.”
But Medina knows that her team will need to get better, this season and next, starting with the conference opener this week.
“Tonight (against Tri-unity) was a little sloppy, we need to clean-up a lot of the turnovers,” she said. “But righty now we are doing a lot of things right.”
The Wolverines were 11-11 last season and were 4-6 in OK-Conference Silver play. They won two games in the state playoffs, including a 56-40 win over conference foe Kelloggsville, before falling to Grand Rapids South Christian in the Division 2 District 44 finals.
The Godwin Heights vs. Tri-unity game was a WKTV Sports Featured Game and is available on cable television and on-demand at WKTVlive.org.
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; On AT&T cable throughout the Grand Rapids area, viewers go to Channel 99, and then are given the choice to watch Wyoming (or Kentwood) Community (Channel 25) or Government (Channel 26) channels.
In 1790, it took about 650 U.S. marshals to complete the first decennial census. Two-hundred thirty years later, the U.S. Census will need a lot more than 650 people to complete the 2020 Census.
And like many employers, the U.S. Census is finding it difficult to find qualified candidates. The Bureau has fallen short of its goal of more than two million applicants to fill the estimated 500,000 temporary, part-time census positions needed to complete this year’s census. In fact, the only place in the United States not looking for census workers is the commonwealth of Puerto Rico, according to a recent press release from the U.S. Census Bureau.
“With low unemployment, the Census Bureau is taking extraordinary efforts to attract enough applicants to fill nearly 500,000 positions this spring,” said Timothy Olson, Census Bureau associate for Field Operations.
Michigan is one of the states were census workers are most needed. Kent County has reached about 48.2 percent of its applicant goal while Ottawa County has done a little better, filling a little more than half of its applicant goal.
“Our aim is to reach interested applicants right now, inform them of updated pay rates in their area, and get them into the applicant pool to be considered for these critical jobs,” Olson said. “The hiring process occurs in stages, and we are encouraging everyone to apply right now before selections being in January and February.”
To learn more about or to apply for a position with the U.S. Census Bureau, go to 2020census.gov/jobs.
According to a press release from the U.S. Census Bureau, the positions, — many are enumerators, people hired to take the census of the population — offer competitive pay, flexible hours, paid trainings, and weekly paychecks. Pay rates for census takers in Michigan have increased, with a range from $14 to $25. Currently the rates for Kent County is $20 per hour and in Ottawa County, it is $18.50 per hour. Visit 2020census.gov/jobs to confirm or check on pay rates in other communities.
The positions are open to anyone who is 18 or older. Census takers will be hired to work in their communities and go door-to-door to collect responses from those who did not fill out their census questionnaire. The selection process starts this month with paid training taking place in March and April. After paid training, most positions will work between May and early July by going door-to-door to collect responses from households who have not responded online, by phone, or by mail.
The U.S. Census is important not just because it counts the number of people living in a city, state or the country, but the results can have an impact on how billions of dollars in federal funds are allocated to local communities every year for the next 10 years. Some of the federally funded programs that use the census in determining allocations are community block grants, road funding, and school lunch programs.
The U.S. Census also determines the number of seats a state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2010, the census showed the number of Michigan residents fell by .6 percent since 2000 with Michigan’s number of seats in the U.S. House of Representatives being reduced from 15 to 14. The census also determines the number of Michigan House of Representative seats as well.
For more information about the 2020 Census, visit 2020census.gov
By April 1, all U.S. households will receive an invitation to participate in the census. Residents will be able to respond one of three ways, online, by phone, or by mail.
Starting in April, census workers will begin visiting college students who live on campus, people living in senior centers, and others who live among large groups of people. Census takers also begin conducting quality check interviews to help ensure an accurate count.
Starting in May, census workers will begin visiting homes that have not responded to the 2020 Census to make sure everyone is counted.
The U.S. Constitution mandates that a census of the population be conducted every 10 years. By law, the U.S. Census Bureau must deliver apportionment counts to the President and the U.S. Congress in December. Redistricting counts will be sent to the states by March 31, 2021.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal In Focus, we begin the new year with topics that, to some, are hot-button issues: the implementation of the state’s recreational marijuana law — and licensing of facilities approved to sell the now legal product — as well as how Kent County handles the difficult job of animal control.
First, we will talk with the man in charge of the state’s marijuana regulatory efforts. Then we talk with Kent County Health Department’s top health official, who was selected to modernize and improve the county’s animal control efforts.
In Focus is Michigan’s Marijuana Regulatory Agency, the agency which has been responsible for implementing the regulatory program enacted under the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act. In simple terms, the MRA is the state office which controls both the state’s medical and recreational marijuana distribution facilities.
With us is the agency’s Executive Director, Andrew Brisbo, who was appointed by Governor Whitmer to lead the MRA, the successor to the Bureau of Marijuana Regulation.
Also In Focus is Kent County Animal Shelter, which is administered by the Kent County Health Department. Late last year, the Kent County Board of Commissioners Executive Committee received an update on an on-going reorganization of the shelter conducted, in part, due to past criticism of the shelter’s operation.
With us is the person ultimately responsible for the shelter’s reorganization, Kent County’s Administrative Health Officer Adam London.
WKTV Journal In Focus airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel (see our Weekly On-air Schedule for dates and times). All individual interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
As we head into the first full week of 2020, Managing Editor Joanne Bailey-Boorsma compiled the top WKTV Journal stories of 2019. Those vying for the number one spot were all stories about raising awareness on a variety of subjects, child abuse and neglect, autism, Multiple Sclerosis, and helping those in need. We salute all who have worked to make the world a better place.
Mel Trotter Ministries hosts its annual Thanksgiving event. (Supplied)
As of Jan. 1, Heartside Ministry and Mel Trotter Ministries have merged. Reducing operating costs, eliminating potential duplication of services, and creating a greater impact for the populations the agencies both serve were the driving forces for the merger, according to organization officials. Services will not be immediately impacted as officials said the two organizations will need most of 2020 to work through the details of the merger.
Fun Fact: Pie Fight
Once, a long time ago, a northern Michigan city decided it needed a “claim to fame” so the residents of Charlevoix made the world’s largest pie at 17,420 pounds. Well, Charlevoix’s city to the south, Traverse City, was not to be outdone. In 1987, the city made a pie weighing in at 28,350 pounds and to prove it was the world’s largest pie, had officials form the Guinness Book of World’s Records certify it. Of course, that called for a “Who can make the biggest pie” challenge with a town in Canada — Oliver — taking over the title in 1998 with a pie that weighed 39,386 pounds. A monument to the pie wars still remains in Traverse City at 3424 Cass Road where the original cherry pie tin stands along with a marker as the World’s Largest Pie…in 1987 that is.
A scene from Emily Bridson’s Community Conversation on Homelessness (and WKTV podcast) at Broad Leaf Local Beer in Kentwood in late 2019. (Supplied)
WKTV Staff ken@wktv.org
A part of her continuing community conversations, City of Kentwood Commissioner Emily Bridson will co-host a Community Conversation on Immigration, focused on America’s immigration policies, on Thursday, Jan. 9, from 5:30-7 p.m., at Broad Leaf Local Beer.
“The New Year promises to be a polarizing time in our country’s history and we need to find a way to work together,” Bridson said about the planned event. “Let’s gather for a candid community dialogue on immigration. We will discuss licenses for all, detainment, and health care, to name a few.”
The panel will include Hillary Scholten, Democratic candidate for Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District, and Bo Torres, local Hispanic community leader.
The event will be moderated by Bridson and Marshall Kilgore, Western Michigan Director for United Precinct Delegates.
“As I research and learn more about immigration issues, I was fortunate to be invited to attend a large meeting last month where local organizations that serve immigrants gathered to create a plan to ensure that President Trump’s Executive Order 13888 (EO), which focuses on refugee resettlement in our communities, would be addressed by his established deadlines,” Bridson said.
On Dec. 17, 2019, the Kentwood City Commission voted to allow further resettlement in our city.
“It was a night of heartfelt personal stories where community members shared their memories of making Kentwood their home,” Bridson said. “We know Kentwood is a special place and it is because we embrace cultures and people from around the world in all of our neighborhoods.”
Bridson pointed out that in a recent study, the economic impact of foreign-born residents of Kent County contributed nearly $3.3 billion to the county’s GDP.
“The numbers speak for themselves on the continued positive impact immigrants have in our community,” she said.
“Our first community conversation was focused on discussing solutions to address homelessness,” Bridson said. Kilgore and Bridson “had over 50 interested community members join us. Bringing our community together to find solutions to pressing issues has been the driving force behind our efforts.”
After a two-year shared services agreement that combined operational functions, Grand Rapids homeless advocacy nonprofits Heartside Ministry and Mel Trotter Ministries have taken the next step in their partnership by formally merging. The merger of agency assets became official Jan. 1. No services or jobs are effected by the merger.
Reducing operating costs, eliminating potential duplication of services, and creating a greater impact for the populations the agencies both serve were the driving forces for the merger, according to organization officials.
“We have enjoyed a partnership with Mel Trotter Ministries for the past two years, and have realized the benefit of combining our teams and services to provide more for the people we serve,” said Heartside Ministry executive director Gregory Randall. “We’re attempting to show radical hospitality to the same people Mel Trotter serves and we’re pursuing the same donors and volunteers, so it makes sense for us to collaborate in a formal manner.”
“Both organizations have always shared the belief that demonstrating the compassion of Jesus toward anyone experiencing homelessness and extreme poverty is what we’re called to do, so we want to be the best stewards of the assets we have to fulfill that mission,” said Mel Trotter Ministries chief executive officer Dennis Van Kampen. “The neighbors and guests of our respective agencies will benefit from this move.”
Starting in 2017, Heartside Ministry engaged Mel Trotter Ministries to share operational functions including human resources, facilities management and information technology. It was during that time that agency leaders began discussing additional ways to save money while increasing efficiency and outcomes for the people they serve. As executives from both organizations mentioned the partnership to donors and key stakeholders, it became apparent that the idea of collaborating resonated in the community. The notion of formally merging was discussed by each organization’s board of directors for more than a year, followed by in-depth talks between Randall and Van Kampen. Both boards approved a formal merger at each of the board’s December 2019 meetings.
“In recent years there have been donors, community leaders and even board members that have suggested and even advocated for Heartside neighborhood agencies to combine forces, so we knew the time was right to take this next step,” said Van Kampen. “We will be better stewards of the talent and treasures given to us and grow in ways that perhaps wouldn’t have been possible otherwise.”
“As a church in the Heartside neighborhood, we depend on our community partners as we together seek the flourishing of our neighbors. Both Mel Trotter Ministries and Heartside Ministry are valuable partners because they help our church members walk alongside our neighbors,” said Rev. Michael Hoogeboom, minister of outreach at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church. “I’m hopeful that the combination of unique gifts and experience that each organization brings to this new partnership will result in a thriving Heartside community.”
Randall and Van Kampen estimate it will take most of 2020 to sort out the best approach to combining all of the services offered by Heartside and Mel Trotter. Heartside Ministry will retain its name and current location at 54 Division Avenue South. The executives anticipate the eventual move of Heartside Ministry staff and programs to Mel Trotter’s headquarters, located at 225 Commerce Avenue SW, in an effort to reduce operational expenses in maintaining two locations.
Communicating this news to the marginalized populations of Heartside will be the immediate focus for the combined entity.
“We want to ensure continuity of services for our neighbors and guests, so we will not be making any immediate, bold changes with regard to the kinds of services we provide or how we provide them,” said Randall, who intends to continue in his role as executive director of Heartside Ministry’s services. “We know that this news might be confusing and perhaps overwhelming to those we serve, so we want to take a measured approach and provide the best care we can for our neighbors.”
Additional information will be shared publicly as it becomes available, but the organizations have provided a webpage that will provide up-to-date information on the merger for anyone interested in following the news: www.meltrotter.org/heartside.
Homeless, with Homework: A new School News Network series on homelessness in schools and its connection to housing. As costs rise and the rental market has low availability, nearly 2,500 students in Kent ISD public schools are facing homelessness. These stories look into what’s led to the issue and how it impacts students. For more on the series, click here.
When students in Kent County schools are identified as homeless, district coordinators have items ready — school uniforms, backpacks, coats, school supplies, bus passes, even mattresses.
What’s become more and more difficult is helping families find adequate shelter.
Schools — urban, suburban and rural — are seeing increased numbers of homeless students and fewer options for housing because of high rents and scarce vacancies. Coordinators who work with students and families facing homelessness ask where they are staying and inform them about 211 services including shelter information. But they often can’t do much more. Even shelters have long waiting lists.
The school coordinators say families are living in cars, campers, motels and, most commonly, in “doubled-up” arrangements with other families.
“I really feel, truly, when it comes to finding a house, I’m more of just emotional support because there aren’t options,” said Sarah Weir. She is Kentwood Public Schools coordinator for the McKinney-Vento Act, federal legislation that helps children continue to go to school even if they don’t have a permanent home. (To receive services, such as transportation, under the act, they must be identified as homeless, according to certain criteria.)
Casey Gordon, who coordinates the McKinney-Vento Act grant for Kent and Allegan counties at Kent ISD, said more students are facing prolonged homelessness and are being newly identified as homeless.
Sara Weir
“It’s directly related to the lack of affordable housing,” she said.
School districts each year start their count of homeless students in July. During the first few weeks of school in Grand Rapids Public Schools, 194 students newly reported as homeless.
“It was huge. We had to rush,” said Edna Stewart, the district’s homeless/foster care coordinator. Last year, 953 students were homeless in the more than 15,300-student district compared to 661 in 2017-2018.
‘ALMOST EVERYONE I WORK WITH IS WORKING, THEY JUST CAN’T AFFORD THE RENT. SO MANY ARE DOUBLED UP.’
– Sara Weir, Kentwood Public Schools
Weir, who is in her fourth year in the position, said last school year 216 students were identified as homeless in Kentwood. This year that number was already at 165 in mid-November. “It’s never been this high in the three years before this,” she said. “It’s been the busiest start that I’ve ever had.”
Rural and suburban areas are seeing similar trends, say district coordinators. In Cedar Springs Public Schools in late October, Ashley Reynolds has already worked with 75 students. Last school year, 60 registered by the end of the school year. In Comstock Park, Missi McPherson has already assisted 42 homeless students. Last year’s total was 61.
No Place to Call Home
Gordon said the issue is as much a problem of housing availability as affordability. Grand Rapids has less than 4 percent of rental units available, which is one of the lowest rates in the country.
Casey Gordan
“That means we have lots and lots of people applying for every apartment and home that’s available,” Gordon said. “Landlords and rental companies then have a variety of applicants to choose from. They look at every factor, including incredibly high credit scores. Anyone who has a barrier in their past credit history, it becomes very difficult for them to find an affordable unit.”
Gordon said she received eight calls in one week from people asking for rental assistance. “They are working multiple jobs and still don’t have enough to make their rent payment.”
However, there aren’t enough resources to meet demand for help paying the rent. “We absolutely have a dire need for more resources to keep people stable,” she said.
‘THEY ARE WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS AND STILL DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TO MAKE THEIR RENT PAYMENT.’
– Casey Gordon, Kent ISD
That’s the case on Grand Rapids’ rapidly developing West Side, where skyrocketing rents have driven out many residents, while homes for sale are hard to come by and out of many buyers’ price range. So says Jim Davis, a city planning commissioner and executive director of Westside Collaborative, an alliance of nonprofits and faith-based agencies that works to support equity and quality of life for all. Davis says renters may hear from landlords, “Hey, we love having you, your lease is up. We’re going to take your $900 a month payment and it’s going to be $1,800, but we hope you’ll stay” – not a realistic option for most.
Related Story: ‘We didn’t notice they’re gone’ – A West Side resident with two children in Grand Rapids Public Schools, Jim Davis worries about the families who can’t afford to live in that booming area and the impact on schools.
Skyrocketing Rents
With 43 percent of families not earning enough to afford basic needs, according to a reportcompleted by the Michigan Association of United Ways, incomes aren’t aligning with housing prices.
Units that advertise as affordable often really aren’t, Stewart said.
“Affordable housing here is not affordable housing. Who are you really targeting when you say ‘affordable housing’ and you promote these new apartments being built? You are not targeting (those) in need of that housing.”
Edna Stewart
In Kenowa Hills Public Schools, which had 173 homeless students enrolled last school year, area hotels and motels serve as temporary living arrangements.
“In the last five years, that’s been the trend they’ve seen increasing,” Gordon said. “People from Grand Rapids and northern parts of Kent County and many other districts are landing in the hotels in Kenowa Hills.”
In Kentwood, Weir said most families that come to her — about 10 each week — have exhausted their options. Minimum wage jobs paying $9.45 per hour — that’s $1,638 a month for a 40-hour week (if one got paid in full for every week of the year) — don’t come close to paying the bills.
‘AFFORDABLE HOUSING HERE IS NOT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. YOU ARE NOT TARGETING (THOSE) IN NEED OF THAT HOUSING.’
– Edna Stewart, Grand Rapids Public Schools
“They can’t find a place,” Weir said. “Almost everyone I work with is working, they just can’t afford the rent. So many are doubled up — more than ever before.”
Weir has families facing sudden homelessness because apartment complexes are hiking rates and not renewing leases, forcing families to move when prices increase. “We are running into a lot of people who have a place to live and they think everything is fine, then they get kicked out because (the property owner) can charge more.”
Weir used to print out lists of available rentals. Now, she helps families get on a list for shelters. One Kentwood family living out of a car was 21st on a waiting list to get into a shelter.
“I tell them the best thing is to keep your eyes open when driving around,” she said, noting that private homeowners aren’t always as strict about credit and eviction records.
Waiting Lists, Shelters, Hotels
In Comstock Park, McPherson, educational support services coordinator, said many of her families — working two or three low paying jobs to make ends meet — are priced out of the rental market. She had 15 students in early November living in Grand Rapids shelters.
“They were on the waiting list so Salvation Army was putting them up in hotels until there were openings,” McPherson said. (Under the McKinney-Vento Act, students have the right to be transported to their district of origin if needed and feasible.)
Missi McPherson
About a quarter of students in Comstock Park schools live in the York Creek Apartments, where two-bedroom units start at $785. If families lose those units, there are few other options available. One hotel in the district offers extended stays, but it’s full too, she said.
“When a house or apartment comes available that’s reasonably priced, it’s snatched up very quickly. There’s just not the availability out there. We are so small and there are not that many rental properties outside of York Creek,” McPherson said.
In Cedar Springs, “We are the highest we’ve been since we’ve had a homeless liaison,” Ashley Reynolds said of the 75 homeless students she’s worked with so far this year.
“There were two houses listed for rent and two of our families went to look at them, but they were like $1,600 for a three-bedroom. They just don’t have the means to afford that.”
‘WHEN A HOUSE OR APARTMENT COMES AVAILABLE THAT’S REASONABLY PRICED, IT’S SNATCHED UP VERY QUICKLY.’
– Missi McPherson, Comstock Park Public Schools
A fire at Red Flannel Acres, an affordable housing community in the district, destroyed eight units, displacing several families and leading them to double up with other families.
Another trend is living in campers or tiny cottages on campgrounds, Reynolds said. “We have a couple families who have campers that are going to try and stay in there all winter. You never want to see that, but then if they don’t have anywhere else to go it’s better than nothing.”
Prices Higher than Many Can Afford
Many families live on incomes above the poverty level, but don’t earn enough to cover basic needs.
Statewide, of 3.935 million households, 14 percent lived in poverty in 2017 and another 29 percent had incomes under what’s needed to cover basic expenses.
In Kent County, including those living below the poverty line, 37 percent of families did not earn enough to cover basic needs.
As for wages, 61 percent of all jobs in Michigan pay less than $20 per hour.
Ashley Reynolds
Gordon hopes to see increased community efforts to help families afford housing, keep their jobs, be able to work — and have their children go to school without worrying about being displaced at the end of the day. “We need real affordable housing,” she said, adding, “$1,200 a month is not affordable housing for a family of five that has one income and little ones.”
Action Needed Locally
Gordon said many cities and counties across the nation are taking steps to increase affordable housing options. They are tapping into grant sources, incentivizing developers and working through planning commissions.
The issue can be controversial, however, because of the stigma surrounding affordable housing. Communities often resist multi-family residences.
‘WE HAVE A COUPLE FAMILIES WHO HAVE CAMPERS THAT ARE GOING TO TRY AND STAY IN THERE ALL WINTER.’
– Ashley Reynolds
But city master planning should prioritize long-term stability and growth, without increasing family and youth homelessness, she said.
“We see some very hopeful things but we also see problems that continue to be a problem. The ‘We don’t want affordable housing here. Why would we incentivize multiple family units?’ It is a tension between everyone wanting a wonderful place to live, work and be, but how do you ensure you have equality in that system?”
Nevertheless, she said, people can work together for the benefit of all.
“Business owners, politicians and the city really have a significant interest in ensuring we are a community where everybody is able to live and work and get around.”
For more stories about local schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
Tri-unity boys basketball is one of the many local sports teams WKTV’s Featured Game coverage team will be covering this season. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By Mike Moll sports@wktv.org
The holidays are in the rear-view mirror as the calendar has turned over to 2020, and January is jam-packed with high school sports most every night of the month as the winter season goes into full force.
Be sure to get out and show your support for your local school and its student-athletes in person, but then watch the replay on WKTV or watch on-line at any time within a few days of the event.
WKTV has your weekly high school sports schedule, and our coverage crew will be out twice the week. The Featured Game coverage schedule for January includes the following:
Friday, Jan. 3 — Boys Hockey Portage Northern at East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation
Tuesday, Jan. 7 — Girls Basketball Tri-Unity Christian at Godwin Heights
Friday, Jan. 10 — Girls/Boys Basketball Kelloggsville at Wyoming Lee
Tuesday, Jan. 14 — Girls/Boys Basketball Wayland at Wyoming
Friday, Jan. 17 — Girls/Boys Basketball Hudsonville at East Kentwood
Tuesday, Jan. 21 — Boys Basketball NorthPointe Christian at Godwin Heights
Friday, Jan. 24 — Boys Basketball Zion Christian at Tri-Unity Christian
Tuesday, Jan. 28 — Girls/Boys Basketball Grand River Prep at Zion Christian
Friday, Jan. 31 — Girls/Boys Basketball Caledonia at East Kentwood
Want to be a television sports announcer?
If anyone has ever thought about trying to announce a sporting event, WKTV has a great chance for you to do exactly that! We are always looking for additional announcers, especially for the spring games. If you would like to try it or have any questions, please email Mike at sportswktv@gmail.com.
Where and when to see the game
Featured games are broadcast the night of the contest and then at least once later in the week.
WKTV offers on-demand viewing of the Wyoming and Kentwood high school sports, community events, and government meetings. (WKTV)
WKTV broadcasts on Wyoming and Kentwood cable channels. On Comcast cable, Channel 25 is the Community Channel, where sports events and other community events are shown; Channel 26 is the Government Channel, where local government meetings and events are shown. The games can also be seen on AT&T U-verse 99.
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
For a complete schedule of all local high school sports action each week, any changes to the WKTV feature sports schedule, and feature stories on local sports, visit wktvjournal.org/sports/.
Following is this week’s schedule:
Monday, Jan 6 Boys/Girls Bowling Kelloggsville @ Godwin Heights Wyoming @ South Christian Potter’s House @ Wyoming Lee
Tuesday, Jan. 7 Girls Basketball Northview @ East Kentwood Tri-Unity Christian @ Godwin Heights – WKTV Featured Event Wyoming @ Rockford Wyoming Lee @ Holton Kelloggsville @ Wayland Potter’s House @ Ravenna Kent City @ Grand River Prep West Michigan Lutheran @ Hudsonville Home Schoolers Holland Black River @ Zion Christian West Michigan Aviation @ Martin Boys Basketball Wyoming @ Rockford Holton @ Wyoming Lee South Christian @ Byron Center Potter’s House @ Kenowa Hills Kent City @ Grand River Prep West Michigan Lutheran @ Lansing Martin Luther Holland Black River @ Zion Christian West Michigan Aviation @ Martin
Wednesday, Jan. 8 Girls Cheer East Kentwood @ West Ottawa Wyoming @ Zeeland West Wyoming Lee @ Belding Kelloggsville @ Belding Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights @ Hopkins Unity Christian @ Wyoming Wyoming Lee @ NorthPointe Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Calvin Christian South Christian @ Zeeland East Boys Wrestling Belding @ Godwin Heights Wyoming @ Hamilton Wyoming Lee @ Hopkins Kelloggsville @ Ravenna Boys Hockey Rockford @ South Christian Girls Basketball West Michigan Aviation @ Wellsprings Prep Boys Basketball West Michigan Aviation @ Wellsprings Prep
Thursday, Jan. 9 Boys Swimming South Christian @ Union Boys/Girls Bowling Potter’s House @ Muskegon Orchard View Girls Basketball West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES Boys Basketball West Michigan Lutheran @ WMAES
Friday, Jan. 10 Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights Ottawa Hills Girls Basketball Godwin Heights @ Hopkins South Christian @ Wyoming Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – WKTV Featured Event Covenant Christian @ Potter’s House Hudsonville Libertas Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran Fruitport Calvary @ Zion Christian Boys Basketball Godwin Heights @ Hopkins South Christian @ Wyoming Kelloggsville @ Wyoming Lee – WKTV Featured Event Bridgman @ Tri-Unity Christian Covenant Christian @ Potter’s House Hudsonville Libertas Christian @ West Michigan Lutheran Fruitport Calvary @ Zion Christian
Saturday January 11, 2020 Girls Dance East Kentwood @ Kenowa Hills Boys Wrestling East Kentwood @ West Catholic – Dunneback Invite Kelloggsville @ Fruitport Wyoming @ West Catholic Boys Swimming/Diving East Kentwood @ East Grand Rapids South Christian @ East Grand Rapids Boys Hockey East Kentwood/West Michigan Aviation @ FH Central Rochester @ South Christian Girls Cheer FH Eastern @ Wyoming Wyoming Lee @ Allendale Kelloggsville @ Allendale
Monday, Jan. 13 Boys/Girls Bowling Godwin Heights @ Belding Wyoming @ Zeeland East Wyoming Lee @ Calvin Christian Tri-Unity Christian @ Sparta – Boys Hopkins @ Kelloggsville South Christian @ Unity Christian
Well the calendar flipped to a new decade — it you start at zero to mark the decade — and with the changing of the calendar, we thought we would take a look at some of the most popular WKTV stories of 2019.
In compiling this list, I took a look at both page views on a story, which indicates the number of people who clicked on the article, and also social media statistics. The result is a mix of both most read and shared articles from the WKTV Journal website.
Ranking Number One
All we can say about the top 2019 story is that everyone must love a good mystery as the “Mystery billboards along US-131 revealed” was the WKTV’s most read story for 2019. The billboards which featured the words “abuse, lonely, neglect, fear, trauma, abandonment” got people talking which according to officials from D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s was the purpose in raising awareness about April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Top 2018 stories for the cities of Kentwood and Wyoming
There was a lot of anticipation of special events, the City of Wyoming’s annual Spring Carnival, and all of the redevelopment activity at Woodland Mall which included the addition of Von Maur and The Cheesecake Factory.
“It’s never too early or too late to work towards being the healthiest you.”
Anonymous
Seeing 2020 (health) in 2020
The quest for health and fitness can be a difficult challenge with the hectic pace of busy schedules and the bustle of the holidays. But January is a great time to start by making a resolution to strive for health.. Go here for the story.
Eating is part of healthy living
A typical workout doesn’t give you license to eat whatever you want. Even a full hour of vigorous skiing burns just 600 calories — less than the amount in a super-sized fast food sandwich. Go here for the story.
Healthy questions to ask the Doc
Even if your yearly physical isn’t scheduled for several months, there are questions you should ask your doctor, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner during your appointment. Go here for the story.
Fun fact:
Be an ‘8 percenter’!
Less than 8 percent of people actually stick to their resolutions each year, according to some estimates, but whether you want to lose weight, get organized, or achieve anything else in 2020, it’s all about sticking to your goals. Source.
While leading an exhibit on frogs, second grader Alex Meyer focused on the facts: They eat bugs. They have teeth on their upper jaws (but toads are toothless). Poisonous ones are colorful.
Kalen Lee shares information about snakes. (School News Network)
Alex indicated how he found interesting information within several nonfiction books during his time spent as a researcher. “My teacher had me put sticky notes in books,” he said.
Alex and his classmates at Oriole Park Elementary School spent a recent morning as mini-experts, presenting information in the multi-purpose room turned nonfiction museum. The event was attended by parents, teachers and district administrators. The museum served as a celebration to cap off a month-long study by students on topics like hurricanes, tigers, butterflies, horses and birds.
“There are billions of stars in the Milky Way galaxy,” said second grader Jace Bloomer as he talked about the sky and space.
Said student Amy Hernandez during her presentation: “Hurricanes are bad but cool, and are amazing but dangerous.”
Jace Bloom researched and presented on the sky and space. (School News Network)
Students of second grade teachers Danielle Terpstra, Kristen Accorsi and Sarah Buys-McKenney created their own nonfiction books, complete with ideas condensed into sections and lingo as well as illustrations and diagrams. Each student used several books for research and to develop their materials.
“Because they had to look over multiple books, they couldn’t just focus on one page, they had to think about their ideas across all of their texts,” Terprsta said.
The teachers use a curriculum called Lucy Calkins Units of Study, which involves a nonfiction unit. Students learn early research skills, like how to access and read nonfiction. The class focused on becoming “tour guides of their knowledge,” McKenney said.
“Our real focus is that they learn to retell and talk about what they know as a topic, not just retell and talk about what happened in a book. It so they can pull in lots of books about the same topic and be able to talk in that expert way about what they wanted to talk about.”
Mark Contreras and Jamie Hendricks stand in the nurse station at HQ. The two nurse practitioners dedicate part of their work week to provide care for HQ members. Photo Credit: Valerie Wojciechowski
Grand Valley State University teamed with area nonprofits to officially launch a health initiative on Dec. 12 in an effort to interrupt the cycle of youth homelessness.
Shandra Steininger, co-founder and executive director of HQ called the Comprehensive Health Initiative (CHI) a hub of resources housed at HQ, a drop-in center for teens and young adults who are experiencing unstable housing or homelessness. She said CHI will provide hundreds of youth with access to primary health care, health system navigation, holistic therapy and substance abuse intervention.
The core partners with HQ are 3:11 Youth Housing, which provides housing to youth experiencing homelessness; GVSU Family Health Center, operated by the Kirkhof College of Nursing; the Wisdom Center, which provides counseling services; and Health Net of West Michigan, which provides health system navigation services.
CHI received grant funding in excess of $400,000 over three years from the Steelcase Foundation, Michigan Health Endowment Fund, Herman Miller Cares, Frey Foundation and Mars Hills Bible Church.
During the launch event at HQ, 320 State St. SE, Steininger said as state and federal funding for nonprofits has decreased over the years, it became clear a one-stop shop of providers for homeless youth was needed. She drew in partners who would dedicate time at HQ to build relationships with teens and young adults and provide assistance.
“We still have youth who think sleeping outside at night is their best option, so we used a model of building a resource hub with providers who would build intentional relationships with our members,” Steininger said.
Mark Contreras, nurse practitioner at the GVSU Family Health Center, is one of two providers who have regular hours at HQ. The Family Health Center, 72 Sheldon Blvd. SE, serves the GVSU community and many adults who live in the city’s Heartside district.
“We’ve learned from caring for this marginalized population that navigating the health care system for them is complex,” Contreras said. “They can’t purchase a prescription that’s $200 or go across town for a referral if they don’t have a car.”
The FHC nurse practitioners employ the same relationship-building techniques at HQ that they use with patients at the Sheldon Street center.
“I’m a big advocate that if we’re asking a patient questions, we better be able to do something about it,” he said. “If I ask an HQ member if they have insurance and they don’t know, I can say, ‘Let me introduce you to my friend at Health Net who can help.'”
Steininger is confident assisting HQ members with mental and physical health care needs plays a key role in helping them find stable housing. She said 40 percent of adults who are homeless first experienced homelessness as a teen or youth.
“In these days of difficulty, we Americans everywhere must and shall choose the path of social justice …, the path of faith, the path of hope, and the path of love toward our fellow man.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Supporting parole reentry
In Focus talks with Todd Cioffi, an associate professor at Calvin College, and director of Calvin Prison Initiative. This five-year program results in a bachelor of arts degree from Calvin College, but it is much more than simply an educational effort. Go here for the story and YouTube link.
Working on poverty in Kent Co.
WKTV Journal In Focus talks with Susan Cervantes, the Director of the Kent County Community Action program which, according to its 2018 annual report, served more than 7,000 individuals including more than 3,800 families, and also handled more than 42,000 information and referral calls. Go here for the story and YouTube video link.
Helping homeless LGBTQ-plus youth
WKTV Journal In Focus talked to two members of Grand Rapids HQ, a drop-in center for youth ages 14-24 in housing crisis, including but not limited to LGBTQ-plus youth. Go here for the story and YouTube video link.
Facts to Give Hope:
$30 billion and $75 billion
The National Retail Federation (NRF) placed holiday spending in 2018 at nearly $30 billion. Foundation giving in 2018 increased to $75.86 billion. Source.
Take a trip down memory lane as you go through 2020 with the Wyoming Historical Commission’s 2020 Calendar.
Featuring pictures of iconic landmarks of the City of Wyoming, the calendar is now available at Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW, and Springrove Variety, 815 36th St. SW.
The calendar also will be available at the History Room at the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW, on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There also will be special pricing on the commission’s two history books, “Wilderness to Wyoming” and “The City of Wyoming: A History.”
Gladiola Elementary fourth grader Brandon Koehn knows why Fritz Bowerman does “laps” at school, walking each hallway and saying hello to teachers and students. He’s checking in, checking things out and lending a hand where it’s needed.
“He’s helping a lot of kids. He helps me a lot. He helps me focus and do my job,” Brandon said.
Bowerman, or “Mr. B,” is a student advocate, a new role in the district this year. He’s a direct source of support for students, often serving as the first person to greet them when they get off the bus. He’s there when they go out to recess, when they need help with math or need a few moments to calm down in the office.
He’s meeting students’ needs in a positive way — so they can learn and teachers can teach, but it’s about more than that, he said. “I’m a grandpa to 310 kids.”
Bowerman began working in the district as a behavior interventionist five years ago, quickly becoming beloved at Gladiola. When Superintendent Craig Hoekstra decided to shift the focus of behavior interventionists district wide — renaming and reinterviewing candidates for this year — Bowerman was a prime example of how that could work.
Brandon Koehn and Fritz Bowerman work together to make the school day go well. (Photo supplied by School News Network)
Role Empowers Students
Rather than focusing on intervention, student advocates proactively help students before things become problematic. Students are taught strategies that empower them to own their behavior rather than just react.
The work aligns with the district’s Positive Behavior Support System, which sets common language and expectations school-wide concerning behavior, and Restorative Practices, a proactive approach to discipline that gets to the “why” of student behavior and focuses on righting wrongs and repairing harm rather than punishment that isolates students by removing them from school.
Bowerman spends a lot of time talking to students that have had behavioral issues in the past, helping them stay on track and have a person to trust. If there’s an immediate need he meets it. (For example, a student recently needed a fresh shirt, and Bowerman got him one from a pile of extras). If there’s evidence a student is having a bad day, he finds out why. If a student is wandering in the hallway, he leads them to class.
Fritz Bowerman stops to check on how things are going in teacher Lysa Stockwell’s class. (Photo supplied by School News Network)
‘He gives everything’
Bowerman, of Hastings, served in the U.S. Army for six years as an artilleryman. He then majored in criminal justice at Ferris State University and went on to work as a probation officer in Ionia County. He returned to Grand Valley State University and earned his graduate teaching certification in secondary social studies. As a social worker, he worked with adults with mental illness. His school career began at Kelloggsville Public Schools before being hired in Wyoming.
Gladiola social worker Amy Hendrickson said Bowerman makes a huge difference in students’ lives. “He gives everything that he has to our kids,” she said. “He loves them and supports them in amazing ways but still holds high expectations for them.
“I wouldn’t be able to do my job without him. He wears so many different hats. One student might need a grandpa. Another might need someone that is more direct and stern.”
Fritz Bowerman is a trusted source of support for Gladiola Elementary students. (Photo supplied by School News Network)
Big Heart Required
Principal Cheryl Corpus said Bowerman’s impact is hard to quantify because it’s about relationships.
“We get kids in their formative years, when they are trying to figure out who they are how they feel. To have that person they can trust every day to give them a fresh start and help them make sense has an immeasurable impact,” Corpus said.
He also forms solid relationships with families, building trust with parents, Hendrickson said. “He’s super relatable, and when parents have questions he’s able to answer them — not in an authoritative role, but by just explaining things.”
Hoekstra served as principal at Gladiola when Bowerman was first hired, and said he knew his approach was always proactive, both in celebrating successes and helping when students are struggling.
“I developed the utmost respect for him in regards to who he is as a person and how he addresses situation,” Hoekstra said, “He comes at it with a big heart. I always use the phrase, ‘Let’s recognize the situation for what it is, then bring it to a better place.’ When I say that, Fritz comes to mind right away.”
Third grader Axel Moreno has noticed that big heart. “He gives a lot of hugs.”
Bowerman described himself as a piece puzzle in a school of supportive people. “The people are here to work with kids, to support them not just in education, but in their lives… It’s an awesome place.”
Bowerman nudges students to stay on track with behavior and school rules, focusing on being safe, respectful and responsible, Gladiola’s mantra.
He’s a gentle enforcer, handing out Wolf tickets students earn for good behavior and can save up for prizes.
“It’s wonderful to see the glow on their face to see what a little purple piece of paper gives them,” Bowerman said.
After countless hugs, conversations and laps around the school buildings, Bowerman gets to know his students well. “My hardest day of every year is the last day,” he said. “It’s a big tear fest. It’s a joyous day but a sorrowful day.”
For more stories on area schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
Brandon Koehn said Fritz Bowerman helps many students at his school. (Photo supplied by School News Network)
It was just before 9 a.m. on a cold, late-November morning, and in the lobby of Celebration!Cinema North, Kelloggsville High School students were setting up tables to display their wares.
What would get these students up so early on a day where they might ordinarily sleep in? The occasion was the Junior Achievement (JA) Fall Movie Premiere, during which area JA students get a chance to sell to a movie audience and then see the movie (in this case, “Frozen 2”). As budding entrepreneurs, many of whom have a passion for business, the chance to sell their products to strangers was enticing.
“These students have done some selling at school and maybe to friends and family,” noted Kelloggsville social studies and business teacher Ryan Zuiderveen, who mentors his school’s JA teams. “But this was the first real public event like this. It’s exciting.”
He continued: “The money earned is a very small part of the event. They are put in a situation that is a little outside of their comfort zone, they have to try to anticipate the wants of an unknown customer group, they see the need for inventory. And it is such a cool moment for students to bring their families and take them out to the movies. The work students do with their business paying dividends for them and their families.”
From left: Kelloggsville JA students Samuel Aguillon, Erik Diaz Rodriguez, Roberto Gonzalez-Martinez, Cindy Calderon, Alexcia Jaramillo, Luis ‘Tony’ Diaz, teacher and mentor Ryan Zuiderveen, Olga Pizano-Garcia, Noemi Pedro-Rafael, Kristina Healey, Milan Huynh. (Photo by School News Network)
Triscenta Team in ‘Soothing Pink’
Hard to miss at Celebration!Cinema was the trio from Triscenta (the name is a play on three friends making scented candles). They were clad in matching pink T-shirts (soothing, they said, “like our candles”) emblazoned with their business logo, which also features prominently on their candles for sale.
Kristina Healey and Kelloggsville teacher and JA mentor Ryan Zuiderveen sort movie vouchers. (Photo by School News Network)
They’d chosen the candle business after deciding they wanted to do something around smell. “It’s one of the five senses, you know,” Roberto said. After kicking around a few ideas that didn’t seem practical, they landed on candles. “Everyone loves candles,” added Samuel.
They headed to YouTube to do their research and found a 20-minute video that pretty much laid out the process from start to finish. From there, it was a matter of where to set up shop. Samuel’s house became HQ for Triscenta, simply because it was centrally located for all three team members. His parents were cool with it, said Samuel, with the only stipulation being that the three entrepreneurs clean up after themselves.
“The first time or two we were pretty messy,” Erik said.
“But we’ve gotten a lot better,” added Roberto.
The team orders all its supplies – soy wax, scented oil, wicks and glass jars – from Amazon, and candle-making events are now a well-oiled machine. The wax gets melted in a double burner, fragrance gets added, wicks get set up in jars and the pouring begins. Later, the jars are adorned with the team’s logo on a vinyl sticker that they produce on a Cricut die-cutting machine that Zuiderveen procured from a relative and keeps at the high school.
Milan Huynh of Milartn (a play on her name and art) (Photo by School News Network)
Entrepreneurship 101
Zuiderveen, who put himself through college in part by running his own painting company, says Triscenta is a great example of what he tries to do with his business class and its partnership with Junior Achievement (JA).
The class is an elective, and between its two sections attracted more than 50 students this semester. All students are expected to start a business, either on their own or with fellow classmates. Along the way, they receive guidance and support from Zuiderveen, JA and a variety of guest mentors. Students handle everything from raising capital and tracking finances to marketing and sales.
“I have shaped the curriculum around entrepreneurship,” said Zuiderveen. “The students have really taken off with the program this year. Most weeks we have a theme or two – mission statements, finance, logo creation and so on – and the rest of the time is applying the concepts to their businesses.”
Students also get a chance to hear from current and former business professionals.
Steve Carlson retired in June after 17 years with GE Aviation and Smiths Aerospace, including work as senior global director in the customer account management group. He’s been a JA volunteer for 40 years, but is in his first year at Kelloggsville working with the student businesses.
He and a team of GE volunteers go into the classroom once a week for 13 weeks to help the students start a business, make and sell products and then liquidate the company before the end of the semester.
Kelloggsville teacher and JA mentor Ryan Zuiderveen with the team from Triscenta: Samuel Aguillon, Erik Diaz Rodriguez and Roberto Gonzalez-Martinez (Photo by School News Network)
Owning their Economic Future
Carlson said he loves the opportunity to help students learn about leadership, sales, finance and working as a team to achieve goals.
“JA,” he said, “is a great organization that inspires students to own their economic future. It doesn’t matter if they ever start a business or are just smarter consumers. In JA they get mentored by local volunteers in every grade from kindergarten to high school. This helps them understand how businesses work and gives them the opportunity to explore careers that are aligned with their interests and skills.”
Kelloggsville currently has 13 businesses as part of the program, and four were at the Celebration!Cinema event (space constraints limited the number of participants).
In addition to Triscenta, there was ACT (Alexcia Jaramillo, Cindy Calderon and Luis “Tony” Diaz), selling clothing that could be customized; KCNO (Kristina Healey, Cynthia Marcelino-Martinez, Noemi Pedro-Rafael and Olga Pizano-Garcia), selling handmade pouches, bags and scrunchies; and Milartn (a play on the name of team member Milan Huynh and her work as an artist), selling handmade coasters.
Prior to the event, the four businesses had combined for about $1,000 in sales, said Zuiderveen, and the theater event saw the four teams combine for another $200 in sales.
From left, Kelloggsville JA students Olga Pizano-Garcia, Noemi Pedro-Rafael, Kristina Healey from the Kelloggsville KCNO team (Photo by School News Network)
Experiential Learning
After the event, Zuiderveen had each team respond to a series of questions in an Excel spreadsheet. The answers were informative, he said, and spoke to some of the challenges of running a business.
Some students thought the event was great, and said they sold more than they thought they would. Others noted that the young audience for the movie meant that some team’s products did better than others.
“I learned that our products don’t really appeal to younger kids,” one respondent wrote. Another added: “I would recommend making sure that everyone knows who the customers will be, so that they can make sure that their products will appeal to everyone there.”
Zuiderveen said he loves that feedback because it fits with the JA approach to experiential learning. Events like those at the theater also help students get ready for future challenges and opportunities, he said.
Indeed, next spring Zuiderveen, a second-year teacher at Kelloggsville, plans to bring teams to a student business competition (he describes it as “almost like a nicer Shark Tank”) that will give them a chance to take home scholarships. He added that last year a Kelloggsville team took home first place, and he is hoping to send a team to the national competition this year.
For more stories on area schools, visit the School News Network website, schoolnewsnetwork.org.
SpartanNash and Miller Poultry recently donated 16,600 pounds of chicken to a pair of local food banks, helping to ensure families will have access to healthy, quality protein this holiday season.
On Dec. 10, SpartanNash and Miller Poultry donated 8,000 pounds of chicken to Access of West Michigan and its network of local food pantries – including North Kent Connect, The Other Way Ministries, The Community Basket (Dutton), The Pantry, Northwest Food Pantry, St. Alphonsus, Flat River Outreach Ministries, Westminster Food Pantry, North End Community Ministries, UCOM, Streams of Hope and the Salvation Army. The two companies then donated an additional 8,600 pounds of chicken to the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan on Dec. 16.
The donations took place at the VG’s Grocery store in Fenton, Mich. and the Metro Family Fare in Wyoming, both part of SpartanNash’s family of retail stores. VG’s Grocery and Family Fare associates helped with the distribution of the donation, reinforcing SpartanNash’s commitment to fighting hunger in the communities it serves.
SpartanNash owns and operates more than 155 stores in nine states, including 87 stores under the banners of Ada Fresh Market, D&W Fresh Market, Family Fare, Forest Hills Foods, Martin’s, VG’s Grocery and ValuLand in Michigan.
“We are proud to carry Miller Poultry in our corporate-owned retail stores throughout the Midwest – and we are excited to once again team up with them to provide food to families in need this holiday season,” said Meredith Gremel, vice president of corporate affairs and communications for SpartanNash. “As a company that takes food places, we are committed to building stronger communities by ensuring every family has access to healthy, affordable food.”
In 2018, SpartanNash donated more than 5 million pounds of food throughout its footprint as part of its corporate responsibility initiatives, in addition to providing financial grants to food pantry partners through corporate giving initiatives and the SpartanNash Foundation.
SpartanNash and Miller Poultry have taken part in this annual holiday tradition since 2008, donating more than 125,000 pounds of chicken to help families in need throughout Michigan.
“This is an important initiative for Miller Poultry, and we are proud to have teamed up with SpartanNash to make these donations,” said Galen Miller, owner and CEO of Miller Poultry. “It is a blessing to share.”
The Wyoming High School Wolves boys basketball team opened the season Dec. 13 with an 84-47 non-conference home win over Jension. (Curtis Holt)
By WKTV Staff (Photos by Curtis Holt) ken@wktv.org
The Wyoming High School Wolves boys basketball team opened the season Dec. 13 with an 84-47 non-conference home win over Jension.
Curtis Holt, Wyoming sports fan and City of Wyoming City Manager, was there and sent WKTV some great photos.
In the game, the Wolves were led by a huge night from senior Menalito McGee, who scored 34 points including 9-of-18 from 3-point distance. Senior Diego Ledesma scored 15 points, while senior Marion Parks added 14 points and six rebounds.
The Wolves (1-0) play at Grand Rapids Northview Tuesday, Dec. 17.
Tip-off of the Wyoming High School Wolves boys basketball season Dec. 13 against Jension. (Curtis Holt)
Wyoming High School Wolves senior Diego Ledesma (1) in action Dec. 13 against Jension.
The Wyoming High School Wolves boys basketball team in action Dec. 13 against Jension. (Curtis Holt)
Wyoming High School Wolves senior Monte Parks (20) in action Dec. 13 against Jension. (Curtis Holt)
The Wyoming High School Wolves boys basketball fans were into the team’s Dec. 13 home game, a 84-47 non-conference home win over Jension. (Curtis Holt)
From left, U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory Fugitt, veterans Ken McKenney and Pete Zimmer, and U.S. Marine Petty Officer Jordan Beemer. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
By K.D. Norris ken@wktv.org
When the South Christian Sailors boys basketball team visited Godwin Heights High School Tuesday for the Wolverines 2019-20 season season opener, the score mattered a little — the Sailors won, 63-46.
But what really mattered that night, in a WKTV Sports Featured Game, which was recorded and available WKTV video on-demand, was that the game was also a special Salute to Soldiers game with two veterans honored in pre-game ceremonies.
The two special guests honored — by the school, the crowd and by the presence of two active duty military personal — were Ken McKenney, a 72-year-old U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, and Pete Zimmer, a 92-year-old U.S. Navy veteran who served during World War II.
“As an athletic program, we were excited to show our support to veterans and current military personnel for the day-to-day protection they provide for our country,” Godwin Heights athletic director Robert Hisey said to WKTV. “We understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by the families of our service members. This sacrifice allows our military personnel to fulfill their responsibilities and allows us to go about our daily events without worry.”
Godwin Athletic Director Robert Hisey, center, introducing the school’s Salute to Soldiers ceremony on Dec. 10. He is joined by active duty military and other veteran personnel. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
The event had the two honored veterans first standing alone on each end of the gym floor, while in the middle were other veterans and active duty personal attending the game — most notably military service recruiter U.S. Army Sgt. Gregory Fugitt and U.S. Navy Petty Officer Jordan Beemer, both in uniform.
There was special music provided by students of Godwin Heights and then brief histories of the honored veterans, McKenny and Zimmer, were read by one player from South Christian and one by Godwin Heights. The players and coaches of each team then met the veterans one-on-one to shake hands and pay their respects.
Veteran Ken McKenney being honored by a South Christian student end athlete. (WKTV/K.D. Norris)
McKenney, according to the introduction, was inducted into the U.S. Army in 1967. Following boot camp, and various stateside training, he went to Vietnam in 1968. During that deployment, he was awarded two Purple Heart medals (for being wounded in battle). During his two-year tour, in 1968-69, he served with the 5th Mechanized Infantry Division and with the 184th Ordnance Battalion.
McKenny wrote a book about his Vietnam War experiences, dedicated to “the many brave soldiers who were not able to return home.”
Zimmer joined the U.S. Navy at age 17, and served during World War II from 1944 to 1946 on three different ships in the South Pacific. He was recalled in 1950 to Fighter Squadron 821, to serve in the Korean War on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Essex. He was honorably discharged in 1952 and returned home to continue his education.
Zimmer remains “active and enthusiastic” serving our community in various volunteer capacities and is a member of the American Legion.
“It was a great honor to have both Ken McKenney and Pete Zimmer as our guests at our “Salute to Soldiers” event,” Hisey said. “Both Ken and Pete were an easy choice as Ken was the recipient of two Purple Hearts during the Vietnam War and Pete had experienced both WW II and the Korean War.”
All Featured Games, as well as other high school sports and community events covered by WKTV, are available on-demand within a week of play at wktvlive.org.
Santa is scheduled to make his arrival at the annual Santa Parade hosted by the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce. (Supplied Photo)
By Nathan Slauer WKTV Community Contributor
Here comes Santa Claus! Here Comes Santa Claus, right down Division Street!
Yep, the annual Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce’s Santa Parade takes place Saturday, Dec. 14. Set to kick off at 10 a.m., the parade will feature 60 entrants, including Steelcase, the Boy Scouts, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Five high school bands will serenade the procession as it passes by.
This year’s parade starts at the corner of 34th Street and S. Division Avenue or the 34th Street Mall Parking Lot (formerly Hope Network). The parade will head southbound to Chase Bank near the corner of Division Avenue and Murray Street.
Bob O’Callaghn, president of the Wyoming-Kentwood Area Chamber of Commerce, said he enjoys checking out how entrants design their floats.
“Every year is unique,” O’Callaghn said. “We have an electrician who puts a Christmas tree on his truck.”
Along the parade path, businesses covered in holiday decorations open their doors to parade goers, and kids carrying bags collect candy from business owners and marchers.
Everybody loves a parade, including The Rapid. (Supplied Photo)
“South Division gets a bad rep,” O’Callaghn said. “Our members want to highlight it, to say it’s a good place to work and shop. People don’t always get to go to the big parade downtown, so it’s great to see young people around here smiling.”
State Rep. Tommy Brann, R-Wyoming, said he likes seeing how the Santa Parade has grown since 2006. He recalls how the first Santa Parade took place during a blustery winter afternoon.
“It was a blizzard out there,” Brann said. “There were only around fifty to eighty people. We stuck with it, but it was a rough start.”
Over the years, the Santa Parade has developed a larger following and added new features, including a final stop at Brann’s Steakhouse. For an hour, families line up to take pictures with Santa Claus in the restaurant’s lobby. (Families are encouraged to bring their own cameras.)
“When you see the kids lined up, it’s so special,” Brann said. “It’s free, and it’s a great time to celebrate Division and Christmas.”
