On this week's program, host Alison Donahue welcomes Thomas Gottschalk, food truck owner-operator and CEO of Collar Brass Solutions, and Lauren D’Angelo, also a food truck owner and operator as well as secretary of the Grand Rapids Food Truck Association. The Grand Rapids Food Truck Association is dedicated to the promotion and education of food truck culture in and around Grand Rapids and the West Michigan region. Online: The Grand Rapids Food Truck Association...
May 10, 2024•14 min
On this wee's episode, host Allison Donahue speaks with Cole Williams, Executive Director of The Delta Project, and Joel Van Kuiken, cofounder of the Delta Project. The Delta Project began in 2017 with a desire to use simple human storytelling to help people see their circumstances from a different perspective. The Delta Project is committed to amplifying the stories of students caught in the cycle of incarceration. On May 11th, The Delta Project sponsors a night of rhythmic gratitude at Wealthy...
Apr 29, 2024•16 min
On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower for a conversation on why community radio is unique and the importance of listener donations during WYCE's spring on-air fund drive. As the region's only volunteer-run, listener-supported community radio station, fundraising is a critically important part of keeping the station on the air to support its mission of enhancing and enriching the local music scene and supporting underserved and overlooked nonprofit ...
Apr 22, 2024•15 min
On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Austin McWilliams, Choir Director at Fountain Street Church in Grand Rapids. Austin also serves as the Director of Choral Activities at Aquinas College and is the conductor of an upcoming performance at Fountain Street Church: The Bernstein Mass: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players, and Dancers. The Bernstein Mass is being presented by the Fountain St. Church Oratorio Choir on April 27, 2024. Online: The Bernstein Mass: A Theatre Piece for S...
Apr 16, 2024•13 min
On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue speaks with Monk Mattheus, culture and training coordinator with The Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation and organizer with the 1st annual Music Econ Summit takes place on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation to support entrepreneurship and wealth generation for hard-working music creatives. The Music Econ Summit brings together music industry experts, copyright lawyers, successful independent a...
Apr 05, 2024•16 min
On this week's episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Mariah Malone, events coordinator with John Ball Zoo. The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival returns to John Ball Zoo on April 10 and is expected to be another record-setting event for the zoo. John Ball Zoo is the first and only place in Michigan where you can see these incredible works of art. The lantern festival features handcrafted Asian lantern displays that will illuminate the Zoo and tell the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture. Ma...
Mar 29, 2024•15 min
On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue speaks with Gairen Tembreull, Director of Albatross Aviary in Grand Rapids. Albatross Aviary is a unique avian rescue and sanctuary dedicated to providing permanent care, shelter, and rehabilitation for companion parrots and other exotic birds when rehoming options are scarce. Albatross Aviary is a bird refuge mainly focusing on exotic companion birds like parrots, including parakeets, cockatoos, macaws, and other Psittacine species. They typically ac...
Mar 22, 2024•15 min
On this week's episode, host Allison Donahue, program manager at The Rapidian, speaks with Guest Amy Thomas-Mellema, Executive Director of Revive & Thrive Project. Revive & Thrive Project was founded by nutritionist and cancer survivor Wendy Borden. After learning about the Ceres Community Project, Wendy made a heartfelt commitment to model the program in Grand Rapids. Revive & Thrive’s first nutritious meals were home-delivered to 12 individuals with cancer on May 15, 2015. Key elem...
Mar 18, 2024•13 min
On this week's show, host Allison Donahue welcomes Guests: Meghan Distel, Broadway GR President and CEO, and Jennifer Pascua, Broadway GR Marketing Director. Broadway Grand Rapids was established in September of 1988 and opened the first season with South Pacific The mission of Broadway Grand Rapids is to bring the very best of national touring Broadway productions to Grand Rapids. The audiences attracted by this top-notch programming become an economic catalyst for the community, not just at th...
Mar 18, 2024•16 min
On this week's program, host. Allison Donahue welcomes John Vanderhaagen, communications director at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. John spoke with Allison about the featured art exhibit at the gardens, as well as the always popular upcoming butterflies exhibition, the summer concert series, and the number of volunteer opportunities at Frederik Meijer Gardens Online: Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park...
Mar 01, 2024•14 min
On this week's program, host. Allison Donahue speaks with Zack Berends, the festival and events manager for Laughfest and Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids sponsors the 14th annual LaughFest from March 6 to 10. This year's event features comedians such as Tammy Pescatelli, Josh Johnson, Piff the Magic Dragon, and Demetri Martin. Comedian, actor, and author Tom Papa is set to headline the Gilda’s Club annual Red Door Gala on March 14 at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture P...
Feb 22, 2024•12 min
In this week's *program, host Allison Donahue (Program Manager for The Rapidian) continues her conversation with Rodney Brown, the founder of GRMIFI. (*The Grand Rapids Media Initiative & Film Incubator). During the program, Allison and Rodney discussed the utilization of film and media as a means to tell the untold stories of Grand Rapids and GRMIFI's role in cultivating the next generation of local filmmakers. They explored the themes in Todd E. Robinson's book "A City within a City" and t...
Feb 16, 2024•13 min
In this week's *program, host Allison Donahue (Program Manager for The Rapidian) welcomes Rodney Brown, the founder of GRMIFI. (*The Grand Rapids Media Initiative & Film Incubator) During the program, Allison and Rodney discussed the utilization of film and media as a means to tell the untold stories of Grand Rapids, GRMIFI's role in cultivating the next generation of local filmmakers, and they explored the themes in Todd E. Robinson's book "A City within a City" and the concept of narrative...
Feb 08, 2024•13 min
In this week's episode, host Alison Donohue speaks with Pattijean McCahill, director of marketing and development, at Feeding America West Michigan. Feeding America West Michigan is at the center of a united community effort driven by the core belief that hunger is unacceptable and meals can change lives. Feeding America West Michigan works to gather and distribute food to relieve hunger and increase food security in West Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Feeding America West Michigan serves peo...
Jan 26, 2024•13 min
On the program this week, Allison Donahue speaks with Janay Brower, Founder and CEO of Public Thread Public Thread is a West Michigan-based manufacturer and retailer that works with with upcycled textiles and materials. Public Thread moved last week into a 10,000-square-foot space at 446 Cesar Chavez Ave. SW, the start of a new chapter for the fashion accessories company following an extensive search for a new facility. Public Thread sources waste materials from other companies like billboard co...
Jan 19, 2024•18 min
Marcial Benavidez - Kent County Welcome Plan Collaborative Communications Specialist Podcast descriptions:English: In this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Marcial Benavidez, Kent County Welcome Plan Collaborative Communications Specialist.The Kent County Welcome Plan Collaborative is a multi-organizational group that represents over 50 organizations including local school districts, non-profits, government bodies, and businesses. The WPC is tasked with implementing and advancing We...
Jan 11, 2024•14 min
In this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Kendsie Channing, Manager of Neighbor Experience for Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and the Downtown Neighbor Network. The Downtown Neighbor Network (DNN) 's purpose is to provide a forum to socialize, organize, and ultimately deepen citizen engagement in building/promoting a high-quality residential life in Downtown GR Kendsie spoke about the importance of building community when living in urban areas, like the downtown neighborhood, Building co...
Jan 05, 2024•13 min
In this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Roger Plaxton, treasurer of the Grand River Folk Arts Society & Roger Kohlenberger, president of the Grand River Folk Arts Society. The Grand River Folk Arts Society is a nonprofit volunteer organization whose mission is to enrich people’s lives and foster community through traditional music, dance, and song. From folk concerts to contra dances, several options of musical entertainment are available through the organization. Online: The G...
Jan 02, 2024•14 min
In this week's episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Marie Orttenburger, Advancement Manager, with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan. The organization's history began in 1976 when four volunteers met to lay out a plan to identify, protect, and care for West Michigan’s natural areas. They created an organization called the Natural Areas Conservancy of West Michigan (NACOWMI). Early projects included several conservation easements, Saul Lake Bog, Lake Breeze natural area, and an addition to t...
Dec 21, 2023•14 min
In this weeks program, host Allison Donahue welcomes Fridah Kanini, the founder and CEO of A Glimpse of Africa. A Glimpse of Africa works in the West Michigan region to ensure that African immigrants and refugees are visible through advocacy, creating a sense of belonging, and breaking language, cultural, and systemic barriers. A Glimpse of Africa seeks to bring people together for a stronger, united community with shared interests and showcase Africa and her people in a brighter, positive light...
Dec 15, 2023•16 min
In this week's episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Monica Hall, the Executive Director, and crime Prevention Organizer with John Ball Area Neighbors in Grand Rapids. John Ball Area Neighbors Seeks to spread a message of hope and compassion. They believe a single action can make a difference in the community and that collective action can significantly impact the world. Through advocacy and outreach activities, their team works tirelessly each day to contribute their part to the greater good. Onlin...
Dec 07, 2023•15 min
In this week's episode, host. Allison Donahue welcomes Gregg Hampshire, the executive director of The Creston Neighborhood Association. The Creston Neighborhood Association serves the residents of Creston, the largest neighborhood in Grand Rapids. Since the Creston Neighborhood Association was incorporated in 1979, neighbors have rallied to shape their home community by preserving what is good and changing what needs improvement. Through CNA, Creston neighbors helped to keep a Grand Rapids Publi...
Dec 01, 2023•14 min
In this week's episode, we welcome Jacqueline Scherer, founder and executive director, of The Playground GR. THE PLAYGROUNDgr is a local nonprofit, that is committed to bridging the disparities of the racial, gender, cultural, and socioeconomic gaps often found in caregivers/educational institutions and community based programing around the world of play. Play-based support, therapy and awareness continues to be an evidenced tool that sharpens and supports, emotional health, mental health, traum...
Nov 24, 2023•15 min
In this week's episode, host, Allison Donahue speaks with Karen Carpenter, Manager of the first-ever Grand Rapids Christkindl Markt, happening at the Grand Rapids downtown market from November 17 through December 23. The Christkindl Markt is a Christmas Village lined with artisan gift and food vendors, live holiday entertainment, and festive family fun. Inspired by traditional European Markets, Christkindl Markt is Best described as a winter wonderland filled with unique Christmas experiences wi...
Nov 17, 2023•14 min
In this week's program, host Allison Donahue welcomes Cindy Foley, Director and CEO of the Grand Rapids Art Museum. The Grand Rapids Art Museum sees itself as a beacon of the arts in an art-loving city. GRAM's exhibitions, events, and educational programming span topics, mediums, and genres to connect with and invite a wide variety of audiences. The Grand Rapids Art Museum is an arts venue, resource, and educational institution for the entire Grand Rapids community, the State of Michigan, and be...
Nov 10, 2023•16 min
In this episode of WYCE's Community Connection, host Allison Donahue speaks with Hanna Moulds, a Bookmobile Operator with the Kent District Library. About KDL: Kent District Library seeks to challenge the traditional concept of a library. Beyond books to check out, KDL also offers board games, video game consoles, Wi-Fi hotspots, and GoPro cameras. KDL cardholders have access to one of the largest digital collections in the country, featuring eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming or downloadable movies...
Nov 10, 2023•13 min
We spoke with Tracey McKnight, CEO of Care Resources, on independent living for older adults, In-home care, affordable health services, rehabilitation/therapy gym, and socialization support. Care Resources is a Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE®), a national healthcare program funded by Medicare/Medicaid. They are a community-based program for adults 55 years or older that promotes healthy, independent living and helps prevent nursing home placement. Their program is all-inclus...
Nov 08, 2023•15 min
We spoke with Laurel Conrad, Program Director with Lowell Arts, about supporting the arts, community arts support, and support of grassroots artists and artisans. LowellArts connects artists and audiences through the visual and performing arts. Their organization has been growing since its inception in 1977 and is made up of committed arts enthusiasts. The Lowell Area Arts Council (DBA LowellArts) is a resource for the greater Lowell community, connecting artists and audiences through the visual...
Nov 08, 2023•14 min
We spoke with Cathy Holbrook, Executive and Artistic Director of St. Cecilia Music Center, about performing arts, music education, and music appreciation. St. Cecilia Music Center was established in 1883 by nine Grand Rapids women, the organization was named for the legendary patron saint of music. During the earliest days, members met in each other’s homes and performed for one another. By 1890, the society was sponsoring performances by world-renowned musicians. Online: SCMC...
Nov 08, 2023•15 min
We spoke with Allison Donahue, Program Manager of The Rapidian, about media literacy, media ownership, citizen, journalism, hyper local news operations, and news deserts. The Rapidian launched on Sept. 15, 2009 and is a department of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center with funding and support from local businesses and citizens. They are a community journalism news source intended to increase the flow of local news and information in the Grand Rapids community and its neighborhoods. By provi...
Nov 08, 2023•15 min
