WYCE's Community Closeup (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan)

On this week's episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with Allison Donahue, program manager at The Rapidian about the Rapidian's Mayoral Debate on Monday, October 21 at Wealthy Theatre.

Allison previews the debate featuring Grand Rapids mayoral candidates former state representative David LaGrand and former Grand Rapids commissioner Senita Lenear.

More Online atThe Rapidian

On this week's episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with Ryan Waalkes, the founder and executive director of Bridge Street Ministries

Ryan joined us to discuss the origins of Bridge Street Ministries' program and its focus on discipleship and youth development, especially for middle schoolers with “high potential.”

The mission statement of Bridge Street Ministries states, “We believe young people are image bearers of God with inherent value and the capacity to cultivate thriving within their communities. Our programs reflect this, focusing on equipping and empowering youth throughout their middle school, high school, and post-high school years."

You can make a donation to support the efforts of their programming or learn more about how you can get involved via the link below.

Online: Bridge Street Ministries

On the program this week, we welcome Gaby Cordova, Director of Engagement, to the Hispanic Center of West Michigan.

Gaby joined us for an update on some important events that the Hispanic Center will be sponsoring later this year, especially in early 2025, when they will host a large Latinx Youth Conference at GRCC.

Gaby also informed us that the Hispanic Center is collecting winter coats for both children and adults for a distribution event on Saturday, November 16.

Coats can be dropped off at the Hispanic Center through Friday, November 15.

Founded in 1978, the Hispanic Center aims to provide unmet social services to the Hispanic Community in Greater West Michigan.

Located in the heart of Roosevelt Park, the largest Latino neighborhood in Grand Rapids, the Hispanic Center serves over 30,000 individuals annually. 

They seek to address the needs of Latinos in West Michigan. 

The Hispanic Center of Western Michigan is a non-profit 501(c) (3) community-based organization.

Online: Hispanic Center of West Michigan

On the program this week, host Allison Donahue welcomes Katy Hoffman, the Executive Director of Garfield Park Neighborhoods Association.

Their mission is to preserve and improve their neighborhood's unique human and physical characteristics through resident involvement.

Members are committed to equitable and inclusive programming, ensuring that everyone feels like a supportive community member regardless of where in the neighborhood they live or what language they speak.

Online:

Garfield Park Neighborhoods Association

This week on the program, Phil Tower talks with Josh Mosey, KDL's Digital Marketing Strategist and leader of the Write Michigan team. Kent District Library recently announced its thirteenth annual Write Michigan Short Story Contest, which drew over 1,150 entries last year.   

Michigan writers of all ages are invited to enter, with separate categories for youth, teens, and adults. Winning entries will be published, and the top writers will receive cash prizes.  

Stories can be submitted at writemichigan.org through Saturday, November 30

Online: Kent District Library

On the program this week, Phil Tower speaks with Paul Soltysiak - Vice-President and Co-Founder of Fans Of Valley Field,  and Steve Tibbe - Chief Officer of Fans Of Valley Field.

Fans of Valley Field is a grassroots effort to restore and revitalize Sullivan Field (originally named Valley Field), a historic baseball field located on the West Side of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The field opened in 1937 on Grand Rapids’ west side.

The organization's long-term plan is to restore, revive, and give the historic ballpark a new sense of purpose through a coordinated effort between private and public partnerships.

Online: Fans of Valley Field

On this episode, host Allison Donahue welcomes Lisa Knight, board chair for the Grand Rapids African American Arts and Music Festival and a city commissioner for Grand Rapids’ 2nd Ward.

The festival will be held on Saturday, September 14, from noon to 10 p.m. at Rosa Parks Circle in downtown Grand Rapids.

The Grand Rapids African American Arts and Music Festival is an annual festival celebrating African-American art, live music, dance, culture, and people.

More information can be found online:

The Grand Rapids African American Arts and Music Festival

On the program this week, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Julie Brunson, executive director of HOPE Gardens, a local nonprofit based in Wyoming, MI.

HOPE Gardens was established nine years ago with the mission of teaching nature-based gardening, a sustainable, cost-effective, and organic method.

Their main focus is establishing educational gardens in schools, which not only teach about nature-based gardening but also provide engaging and interactive learning experiences for students from kindergarten through high school.

Their staff spends significant time in schools, fostering in students a passion for growing their own food.

To date, they have 13 gardens in the Wyoming area and hope to add more in the future.

Online: HOPE Gardens

On the program this week, host Allison Donahue spoke with Ruben Ramos, president of the Mexican Heritage Association.

The Mexican Heritage Association exists to promote and educate the public about Mexican culture, customs, history, traditions, and the contributions of Americans with Mexican Heritage through promoting and participating in community events and services.

Ruben joined Allison to preview Fiesta Mexicana, happening September 13-15th on Calder Plaza in downtown Grand Rapids.

Fiesta Mexicana is the annual, vibrant celebration of Mexican culture in West Michigan.

Festivities include the popular "Grito de Independencia" ceremony, where the festival leaders honor the heroes of the Mexican community.

​

Online:

Fiesta Mexicana

Mexican Heritage Association of West Michigan

On this week's episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower spoke with Jason Wheeler, co-founder of The Great Lakes Music Camp, a talented musician and founder of The Round Creek String Band.

Jason told us that the 7th year of The Great Lakes Music Camp is honored to return to the beautiful shoreline of Lake Michigan at Camp Blodgett, October 3-6, 2024

GLMC features some of the finest music and vocal instructors in the nation.

Jason stressed that The Great Lakes Music Camp is meant for all skill levels and all walks of life and offers a wide curriculum, several hosted jams, small group picking sessions, Q&A time with instructors, and live performances.

For campers who attend, it is created to be a one-of-a-kind experience for all. By design, classes are small so all campers have personal time with the instructors.

Jason urged that the camp has very limited availability.

More info online: The Great Lakes Music Camp