Rapid Growth Media on LinkedIn: Campus for Creative Aging helps Southwest Michigan seniors find purpose… (2024)

It’s still brat summer, so why not invite Beetlejuice to the party to keep it going this fall? Broadway Grand Rapids announces single tickets for the North American Tour of BEETLEJUICE, the edgy and irreverent Broadway smash hit musical comedy, are on sale now. Tickets will be available at the Broadway Grand Rapids office at 122 Lyon Street NW, DeVos Hall Box office at 303 Monroe Avenue NW, all Ticketmaster outlets, or by visiting BroadwayGrandRapids.com.Based on Tim Burton’s dearly beloved film, this hilarious musicaltells the story of Lydia Deetz, a strange and unusual teenager whose whole life changeswhen she meets a recently deceased couple and a demon with a thing for stripes. Withan irreverent book, an astonishing set, and a score that’s out of this Netherworld,BEETLEJUICEis “SCREAMINGLY GOOD FUN!” (Variety). And under its uproarioussurface (six feet under, to be exact), it’s a remarkably touching show about family, love,and making the most of every Day-O!Beetlejuice The Musical is in GR on Oct 8-13, 2024Info and tickets: https://lnkd.in/enW4ifRd#Beetlejuice #Theatre #GrandRapids

Publisher Tommy Allen says, "As someone who started as a server and worked my way up to take on additional positions and skills in the restaurant industry, it’s truly inspiring to see others rise in Grand Rapids to incredible heights in our city's culinary scene. Essence Restaurant Group shines brighter than most because of expertise and commitment to quality, and I’m immensely proud of their legacy and the way they continue to create opportunities in our community!"Rockford native Tristan Walczewski may have started out as a server, but he has worked his way up to become a partner of Essence Restaurant Group.Read all about it in Rapid Growth Media - Grand Rapids' solutions journalism platform since 2006!LINK: https://lnkd.in/e8AvAbez#GrandRapids #SolutionsJournalism #Restaurants

What does a welcoming community look like? Well, in Muskegon, we see once again wonderful examples of how a commitment to inclusivity with universal accessibility in our vision is changing how some folks approach recreation on our side of the state. With activities like zip lining, rock climbing, wheel luge, and archery, Muskegon Luge and Adventure Sports Park, located in Muskegon State Park, demonstrates how it is advancing adaptive recreation. This is all happening because of a beautiful partnership with the MOKA FOUNDATION, Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.“Climbing the wall was a surreal experience, something I had always wanted to try but was never sure if it’d be possible,” says Jeff VanDyke, a community presenter at Disability Network West Michigan, who tried our adaptive rock climbing wall. His experience highlights how, with the proper support, people of all abilities can achieve their dreams. We think this is terrific news and hope it inspires you, too. This story is part of Rapid Growth Media's Disability Inclusion series and is made possible through a partnership with Centers for Independent Living organizations across West Michigan.Link: https://lnkd.in/eBgNC2eW #DisabilityInclusion #Accessibity #Recreation #Belonging #ToBelonging #UniversalAccessibility #SolutionsJournalismNetwork #Tourism watch mUSkeGOn

1

From our latest Voices of Youth story:"My family would tell me to eat, but it became harder to do that because I always thought about what people bullied me for. I still struggle with eating, and now I have some health issues due to that, all so that I would not be considered fat. If I had never been bullied, I believe I would have never developed this disorder and struggle." - Teresa Blackwood from her powerful personal story, "Are schools doing enough to address bullying?"LINK: https://lnkd.in/eRHy-5WETo learn more about Rapid Growth Media's Voices of Youth project and read other installments in the series, click here. This series is made possible via underwriting sponsorships from theSteelcase Foundation,Frey Foundation,PNC Foundation, andKent ISD.#Bullying #SolutionsJournalism #SolutionsJournalismNetwork

3

On Ageism...a solution from Michigan?Rapid Growth believes that solutions can arise anywhere in our state. This story shows us how three Michigan counties, Berrien, Van Buren, and Cass counties, are addressing the issue of ageism in our society via Region IV Area Agency on Aging. "Beyond the individual impact, it's that systemic impact, the societal shift in perspective and lifting up the value of older adults — really recognizing as a community that an aging population isn't a problem to be solved, but rather an asset to be tapped. If we put people on the sidelines once they reach a certain age, then we've lost a huge community asset." - Christine Vanlandingham, Region IV AAA chief executive officerThe United Nations considers ageism a global challenge that leads to poor health, social isolation, and earlier deaths and costs economies billions. In June, Vanlandingham met with the Berrien County Board of Commissioners to develop community strategies to raise awareness about ageism and combat it."The youngest commissioner said we should have a community-wide campaign against ageism. I love that people across the age span are beginning to pay attention and say, ‘This is important, and we should be talking about it,’" Vanlandingham says. "Ageism is the one prejudice that directly impacts every one of us. As a young person holding ageist beliefs, you are prejudiced against your future self."From the article, "Campus for Creative Aging helps Southwest Michigan seniors find purpose after retirement" by Estelle Slootmaker.Story Link: https://lnkd.in/eNS3ntmj#SolutiuonsJournalism #Ageism #Intergenerational

3

Q: What do you get when you combine "AI, career development, and fun?"A: You get one of the top five stories across our network of magazines in the U.S. and brought to us by Rapid Growth Media's Literacy Matters story series.The story, "KDL’s wide offerings include understanding AI, career development, and fun," was released across our nationwide network of solutions-based journalism magazines.Congrats to Kelsey Sanders on another chart-topping story, this time about how our libraries are evolving to become more than just centers of information. Check it out! "Literacy Matters" is a series supported by Kent District Library that focuses on the importance of knowledge, community resources seeking to remove barriers to access, and the value of our library systems to society.Read the story here: https://lnkd.in/g-NwgeyP#LiteracyMatters #SolutionsJournalism #Libraries #KentCounty #IssueMediaGroup #SolutionsJournalismNetwork

2

Congrats to Kelsey Sanders for being the top story across our network of Solutions Journalism Magazines this week.Sanders story, “How 10 Cents a Meal brings healthy food to more Michigan kids,” which looks at how schools are connecting to fresher, nutrient-rich options and often local farms providing multiple wins along the way. “10 Cents a Meal helps supplement the budgets food service programs have available for fresh produce, encouraging a greater menu variety and healthy eating habits for kids statewide. Building Farm to Program partnerships with local farms and distributors also helps invest in the local food business economy.” - Megan Maddox, of the Farm to Program Team with the Michigan Department of Education10 Cents a Meal was established as a pilot program in 2016 and became a state-funded program in 2020. The program is a collaboration between the Department of Education, Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, Groundwork Center for Resilient Communities, and Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems.Get the whole story for free here: https://lnkd.in/eBybhpY5#SolutionsJournalismNetwork #SolutionsJournalism #MichiganGoodFood #MichiganStateUniversity #MichiganDepartmentOfEducation #ResilientCommunities

2

"One in four American students do not have access to menstrual cycle products and 84% of students have either missed school or know someone who has because of their menstrual cycle. In addition to absences, academic performance and individual health are at risk when students cannot practice proper menstrual hygiene." - Solange SifaThis article, "How Michigan addressed period poverty by getting rid of the Tampon Tax," by Solange Sifa, is part of Rapid Growth Media's Voices of Youth series. This series features content created by Kent County youth in partnership with Rapid Growth staff mentors and stories by adult writers that examine issues of importance to local youth. In our latest installment, Lee High School's Solange Sifa delves into the issue of period poverty and its impact on women. She not only shares her own insights but also includes perspectives from her peers, making this a comprehensive and insightful piece.Solange Sifa is a sophom*ore atLee High School. She likes learning new things and is highly passionate about literature and archeology. She hopes to inspire people to pursue their dreams one day.To learn more about Rapid Growth's Voices of Youth project and read other installments in the series, click here. This series is made possible via underwriting sponsorships from the Steelcase Foundation, Frey Foundation, PNC Foundation, and Kent ISD.Check Solange's story here: https://lnkd.in/eeJbPeRq#VoicesOfYouth #RapidGrowth #SolutionsJournalism #ListenToYouth #PeriodPoverty #SolutionsJournalismNetwork

Traveling has made a comeback in the last couple of years, and many people are planning ambitious adventures that seemed impossible just a few years ago. However, not everyone travels the same way, as we have learned from listening to those around us, including Dawn Pick Benson, an area writer, transformational travel coach, global ambassador for The Travel Coach Network, and certified cultural intelligence facilitator. Dawn's story, which focuses on her role in helping women experience significant life changes and rediscover themselves through solo travel, is featured in our Rapid Growth story, "GR-based world traveler finds transformation in slow and solo trips."Before appearing in Rapid Growth Media, Dawn has appeared in numerous publications such as The Washington Post, Tripadvisor, The New York Times, and Woman’s World magazine. Check out her Q&A with Rapid Growth: https://lnkd.in/gaPPJHs3#TravelWriter #SolutionsJournalism #SoloTravel #FemaleAuthor #InclusiveTraveler #CulturalIntelligence #WomenTravel

3

2 Comments