The Rapidian

One organization, Community Rebuilders, is working to help individuals, families and veterans secure and sustain stable housing.

In 2025, Community Rebuilders helped 111 people experiencing chronic homelessness move into permanent housing, with 95% remaining stably housed after 12 months. Chronic homelessness refers to anyone who has been unhoused for a long period of time or repeatedly, while also dealing with a disabling condition. | Read more online at therapidian.org. Full story linked in the comments.

Photo Credit: Community Rebuilders

As part of its 50th anniversary, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan (LCWM) hosted bike rides throughout West Michigan’s parks and varying landscapes during its Explorathon: Preserve Pedal on June 6, one of three events in the series showcasing protected lands.

Attendees had the option to join a group ride, where tour guides could offer explanations along the way, or a solo ride, where bikers could stop at aid stations to learn about local conservancy and ecosystems. Upon completion, there was an afterparty to celebrate. | Read more online at therapidian.org. Full story linked in the comments.

The City of Grand Rapids hosted two public events Wednesday to allow residents to meet the four final candidates competing to become the city’s next police chief.

The events, held at City Hall, included a meet-and-greet and a public forum featuring the four candidates. The public forum was shaped by questions from the community, which will help City Manager Mark Washington make his final decision on who will be the city’s next chief of police. | Read more online at therapidian.org. Link to the full story in the comments.

A free all-day block party, open to the public, will be held at Las Canchas on the Westside this Friday, featuring a youth tournament, a World Cup watch party and the fourth week of Bridge Street League’s street soccer matches.

The GR World Cup Block Party was organized in collaboration between The Soccer Rebellion, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. and Athletic Club Grand Rapids in an effort to embrace community and soccer culture in Grand Rapids. | Read the full story online at therapidian.org. Link in the comments.

“Alters,” the dystopian romance set in 2040 West Michigan, follows the journey of Milo, who lives in a changed world after the pandemic known as the “Second Wave.” The way of life has turned into something a man who grew up in the 90s doesn’t recognize.

Serving a life sentence in his home, he is offered a position as an “Alter” for a famous individual, using augmented reality to serve as a stand-in for his “Principal.” The novel explores themes of the not-too-distant future, such as AI, incarceration and identity. | Read more online at therapidian.org. Link to the full story in the comments.

A tradition that has long provided celebration, visibility and community for West Michigan's LGBTQ+ residents will be absent this Pride season as one of Grand Rapids' oldest gay bars, The Apartment Lounge, announced it will not host its annual Pride Festival. This comes after losing key sponsorship support just weeks before the event.

The announcement came in a Facebook post; organizers said several longtime corporate sponsors unexpectedly withdrew financial commitments, creating a funding shortfall of more than $24,000. Despite efforts to secure replacement funding, the bar was unable to raise enough money to move forward with the festival. | Read more online at therapidian.org. Link to the full story in the comments.

Starting June 20, there will be a new way to travel between Uptown and Downtown Grand Rapids free of charge with a new Saturday shuttle service.

Uptown Grand Rapids announced Summer Shuttles Saturdays on June 10. Two shuttles will operate on Saturdays from June 20 through Aug. 8, running from 4 to 11 p.m., encouraging patrons to explore both areas of the city. | Read more online at therapidian.org. Link in comments.

Photo Credit: Uptown GR

Residents in the Creston Neighborhood turned their yards into a sprawling art market for a day of creativity and culture during the Backyard Creative Crawl.

The crawl transformed 10 yards throughout Creston on May 30, using front and back yards, driveways and porches. Visitors were able to shop at 50 different artists along the route. | Read more on therapidian.org. Link to the full story in the comments.

The Marguerite Casey Foundation (MCF), a Seattle-based private foundation, called on local philanthropists to "put your money where your people are" during a Grand Rapids event Thursday evening.

The event was part of MCF's national "Common Thread: Funding Justice, Building Power" tour, which encourages foundations and donors to increase giving and align their investments with the communities they support. The discussion was led by Dr. Carmen Rojas, president and CEO of MCF. | Read more online at therapidian.org. Link in the comments.

We’re really excited to be teaming up with our friends at Wealthy Theatre and GRTV to put together this screening. Hope you can make it out!

Just Announced!

Steal This Story, Please! (Presented by The Rapidian & GRTV)!

Undeterred by armed soldiers, evasive politicians, and riot police, Amy Goodman has reported some of the most consequential stories of our time. Steal This Story, Please! is a gripping account of the trailblazing journalist whose unwavering commitment to truth-telling spans three decades of turbulent history. From the frontlines of global conflicts to the organized chaos of her daily news show Democracy Now!, Goodman becomes a leader in the movement for independent media that amplifies voices excluded from the mainstream and faces off against forces trying to silence her.

Grand Rapids Premiere Screening
Wednesday July 15th at Wealthy Theatre
Presented by The Rapidian and GRTV
Proud programs of Grand Rapids Community Media Center