At FOX 17, instead of just covering the increase in youth (14-17) crime, we want to be part of a broader solution. We will lift up young people from underserved communities through engagement, partnerships, and storytelling. We will use our platform to connect families with resources, address obstacles, celebrate successes and create lasting change. Check out the resources available in West Michigan.
Programs for kids and teens:
"The Mission of Better, Wiser, Strong is to build young men's confidence to be better, make wiser decisions, and become stronger people for successful life outcomes."
Beyond the City was created to share the love of and access to travel with the underserved Black youth in the Greater Grand Rapids area. We are committed to providing FREE travel adventures beyond the Greater Grand Rapids Area to inspire youth through the experience of travel.
The Boys and Girls Club aims to "enable all young people to reach their full potential as responsible citizens through education, recreation, and positive community experiences in partnership with GRPD."
"HOW DO I BECOME SOMETHING I DON’T SEE?
From this simple question, The Delta Project was born. The Delta Project exists to break the generational cycle of incarceration by reconnecting youth of color and their families to community relationships through mentorship, coaching and storytelling."
Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative
"Early Learning Neighborhood Collaborative (ELNC) is a non-profit organization that is vested in changing the current reality of vulnerable children by implementing an intentional Early Childhood Education service system aimed at providing, expanding and sustaining the capacity of high quality early care and education programs in the vulnerable neighborhoods of Grand Rapids."
Founded in response to the rise in gun violence affecting GR youth. Ebony Road Players has a commitment to inspire, educate and engage cultures of our community with high-quality theatre productions focused on the Black experience.
Delivers innovative mentoring experiences designed to Engage, Educate, and Empower young people everywhere.
GRow1000 was launched the summer of 2020 in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing racial and economic disparities. City Manager Mark Washington called on business and community leaders to help mitigate these effects by employing 1,000 young people during the summer. Over the last two summers, the GRow1000 program has placed over 800 youth in meaningful jobs at more than 70 unique job sites at area businesses, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions and government.
"New City Kids offers after-school programming for local low-income youth. Children and teens get a chance to explore music and academics in a creative and fun environment. Though there are many challenges of urban life, especially for youth, these programs give children a safe place to feel and hear that they are valued and loved. New City Kids aims to draw children into hope by developing in them skills, talents, and desires for their future. By surrounding them with a community of love and development, we strive to set youth on a path of transformation that will carry them forward for the rest of their lives."
Our Mission is to provide an empowering, engaging, and motivational environment for youth. In addition, we provide youth with the support, inspiration, and opportunity they need to improve their lives and become leaders of the next generation.
"Positive Impact for Life is a nonprofit organization that delivers two pillars of service, free of charge, because we believe in the power of healing and providing every child with support during their educational journey. Through our youth development programming, we reach at-risk students with afterschool tutoring. Through our community wellness services, we connect individuals with licensed therapists and self-care workshops."
Committed to growing STEM proficiency in vulnerable children to cultivate education and career success in Grand Rapids, Michigan and beyond.
Our mission is to provide a track club in the greater Grand Rapids area that implements high level event specific skill training, which will allow our athletes to be competitive on the state and national level. Our athletes will gain knowledge of the sport, develop life skills and will be prepared to compete at the collegiate level.
Young Money Finances (YMF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to empowering youth and families to take control of their financial future. We provide fun and interactive workshops, tools, and resources that create a new and engaging way to know and grow money.
Resources for the whole community:
Amplify GR focuses on community well-being and "widening pathways for stronger neighborhoods."
Baxter Community Center serves as a place where people can "come together in the spirit of support and unity to achieve progress.
The Boston Square Community Hub is focused on families, neighbors and the commitment to cultural, racial and socioeconomic diversity.
"The Children's Advocacy Center of Kent County has led the local effort to recognize, report and reduce child sexual abuse since 1993. Along the way, we've helped thousands of children and families."
Every Child Thrives, W.K. Kellogg Foundation
"We have a site called Every Child Thrives, where we share stories of the amazing work being done by our grantees and partners, in our priority places and on a national and international scale. You can see the stories we’ve published thus far about our grantees and partners in Grand Rapids here: Every Child Thrives in Grand Rapids [everychildthrives.com]. We have a number of other stories that will be appearing on this site in the coming weeks and months – if you subscribe to our emails you will also see those as they are published."
Garfield Neighborhood Park Association
The mission of the Garfield Neighborhood Park Association is to "preserve and improve the unique human and physical characteristics of our neighborhood through resident involvement. We are committed to equitable and inclusive programming, seeking to ensure that everyone feels like a member of a supportive community regardless of where in the neighborhood they live or what language they speak."
GR Initiative for Leaders, referred to as GRIL, is a faith-based organization created by alumni of the DeVos Urban Leadership Initiative (DVULI). GRIL invests in emerging leaders by providing training over a nine-month period using the scripturally based DVULI curriculum to help leaders expand or develop the core values of balance, accountability, empowerment, interdependence, leverage, and diversity (working towards a racism-free community). This process helps leaders plan and implement personal, professional and ministry growth more effectively with the youth and the people they serve. Our Mission is to strengthen leaders to transform communities.
Hispanic Center of West Michigan
"The Hispanic Center of West Michigan focuses on serving the needs of the Latino and broader community. We strive to provide an avenue for education and openness to promote discussion of the distinctions and values of different nationalities and cultures."
Laker Educational Opportunity Center
"The Laker Educational Opportunity Center (LEOC) provides information regarding financial and academic assistance available to individuals who desire to pursue a program of post-secondary education; provide assistance to individuals in applying for admission to institutions that offer programs of post-secondary education, including assistance in preparing necessary applications for use by admissions and financial aid officers; and provide information regarding financial and economic literacy to participants."
Life Quest Ministries is a "compassionate, Bible-based ministry, not a hub for programs and giveaways. It advocates life-changes based on a total performance ministry approach (mind, body, and soul) that reached out to all people races, gender, and socio-economic statuses."
"At Linc Up, we believe that neighborhoods matter and that where you start contributes to where you go. We work to connect residents to resources by connecting who you know, what you know, where you live, and what you make."
"Meaning In Colors provides resources and services for individuals that may be struggling with personal, academic and professional growth. Our services range from mentoring to transitional housing in which will assist our youth in becoming upstanding citizens in our community through our five phase program."
Neighborhood Activation Project
The Neighborhood Action Project improves the homes and businesses of black and brown communities around Grand Rapids by bringing people together to help connect, beautify, and help protect these neighborhoods.
"Network180, Kent County Community Mental Health Authority, serves adults, youth and families seeking help with mental health, substance use or intellectual & developmental disabilities. We offer a coordinated, enhanced and more seamless experience to better provide behavioral health care and integrated primary care to community members seeking help."
"The mission and purpose of Roosevelt Park Ministries is to provide Christ-centered, holistic support to individuals, families, and youth living in and around the Roosevelt Park Community. Our vision is bridging a community in need by promoting the development of strong families, developing community leaders, fostering an environment that celebrates inclusion, and providing opportunities to build a strong economic base."
Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association
The Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Association aims to make their neighborhood a safe, attractive place for residents. They believe that "maintaining the integrity of the neighborhood as a good place to live, work and do business by empowering neighbors to improve the community and prevent crime."
"Silent Observer is a non-profit organization dedicated to public safety and since 1972 has remained committed to its mission to solve and prevent serious crime in the Greater Grand Rapids area in partnership with citizens, the media, and law enforcement."
Steepletown Neighborhood Services
"In the 25 years since, Steepletown has grown from modest beginnings with a part-time director, to sixteen full-time and ten part-time staff members. Although their operation has expanded, the strategy remains the same: create a network of opportunities for those living on the West Side and surrounding communities."
"We use restorative art to disrupt historical systems of oppression by reimagining education, holistically honoring the community through our approach to our work and creating an unapologetic vision for liberation that is accessible to all."
"A healthy place to live is one where residents and businesses can thrive; where diversity is embraced and where everyone has access to quality affordable housing, regardless of their income. Dwelling Place carries out this vision for strong neighborhoods and communities across West Michigan."
The Legacy Leadership Consulting Group
"Diversity and Inclusion is supposed to be about bringing people together but the conversations surrounding it are literally tearing companies and communities apart. It is the role of leadership to foster environments where tough conversations can be had, but unfortunately, many leadership teams are woefully unprepared. Let us help you avoid the trap."
"The Urban League--traditionally an African American organization, assists all people in achieving self-sufficiency and equality. It is a place where everyone is empowered through economic independence and is an organization that helps people help themselves to a better way of life. All are welcome at the Urban League and everyone belongs--a place where people come together to creatively solve issues and become champions of their own advancement and empowerment. Come join us as we work to change lives here at the Urban League. Together we can Be Empowered to make a difference."
"The W.K. Kellogg Foundation was established in 1930 by breakfast cereal innovator and entrepreneur W.K. Kellogg, who defined its purpose as “…administering funds for the promotion of the welfare, comfort, health, education, feeding, clothing, sheltering and safeguarding of children and youth, directly or indirectly, without regard to sex, race, creed or nationality.…” To guide current and future trustees and staff, he said, “Use the money as you please so long as it promotes the health, happiness and well-being of children.”
"To that end, the YWCA West Central Michigan transforms lives through public policy that translates our mission into law, and expert, on-the-ground programming that represents our community’s most comprehensive response to domestic and dating abuse, sexual assault, stalking, and child sexual abuse."