Tag Archives: Rosalynn Bliss

Two Grand Rapids nonprofits get $1 million in grant funding to address affordable housing

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Photo supplied

By Luke Ferris, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County

 

LINC Up and Habitat for Humanity of Kent County have received $1 million from Project Reinvest: Neighborhoods for affordable housing projects in Grand Rapids’ southeast and southwest neighborhoods.

 

This is the first time the Project Reinvest: Neighborhoods grant has been made available and Grand Rapids is one of just four cities in the country to have more than one nonprofit awarded the grant.

 

“True success for Grand Rapids can only be realized when everyone has an opportunity to thrive,” said Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss. “We are thankful for the innovative work of our local affordable housing providers. They are making home ownership opportunities accessible to those who need safe, stable and affordable housing.”

 

Project Reinvest: Neighborhoods provides grant funding to eligible 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to help stabilize and revitalize distressed communities suffering from the direct and/or indirect effects of the foreclosure crisis. The grants will support and further existing multi-faceted, place-based initiatives working to transform communities.

 

LINC Up will use the funding to build five affordable homes in the Madison Square Neighborhood in partnership with Grand Rapids Community College’s MTEC construction program. The funding will also support the creation of a construction trades contractor incubator in LINC’s Business Center at 1258 Madison to focus on training and growing local contractors.

 

“The Project Reinvest goal of reversing negative effects from the foreclosure crisis aligns with the ongoing work of LINC Up to facilitate new housing development and economic opportunities for residents. Along with immediate impacts of new housing and jobs, this grant supports a long-term investment in local construction talent who will work directly on reinvestment activities taking place in the neighborhood over the next several years.”

 

Habitat Kent will use the funding to rehabilitate four homes in the Roosevelt Park Neighborhood that will be available to purchase for affordable home ownership.

 

The funds will also help support the annual Roosevelt Park Neighborhood Curb Appeal Contest and the development of pilot programs to encourage and provide resources for more affordable home ownership opportunities to residents.

Photo supplied

 

“Home ownership is a critical element in providing families with strength and stability for a brighter future.” said Habitat Kent Executive Director BriAnne McKee. “The need for affordable housing is great in our community and we’re thankful for fellow organizations like LINC Up who are helping meet that need.”

 

LINC Up and Habitat Kent both are members of the Kent County Permanent Housing Coordinating Council, a group of affordable housing providers, funders, and related partners who meet regularly to share best practices and coordinate housing development efforts. LINC Up and Habitat Kent will each receive $500,000. Both applications were filed separately.

 

Grand Rapids joins Mayors National Climate Action Agenda

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Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss

By Jacob T. Goldberg

 

City of Grand Rapids is one of the 292 U.S. cities signed onto the “Mayors National Climate Action Agenda.” The Agenda exists to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions that cities create, and reduce the rise of temperatures on our planet.

 

“I see it as a human and community issue. We need to think of the next generation.” Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss stated.

 

GR has been on the fast track for reducing the city’s carbon footprint. Current plans are for GR to run on 100% on renewable energy by the year 2025.

 

“We are in the process of building a bio digester,” Bliss said.

 

A bio digester is a large mechanical stomach that turns food waste into usable energy. The current plan is to build the machine in the Water Resource Recovery Factory on Market Avenue. The machine is estimated to cost 21 million dollars, and would be the first bio digester built in GR since the 1960s.

 

“We have partnerships with several local businesses to dispose their waste in the machine.” said Bliss. “To me it’s a matter that we know there is air pollution. We know the temperatures are rising. We want a great community. We don’t want pollution in our water. I do believe we can work together.”

 

GR has an onslaught of other plans to combat the rise in temperatures, and make for a more green community. Such as green infrastructure, LED street lights, and solar power alternatives.

 

For more information on GR’s plans for a green future take a look at their web page.

 

Community fills local church for annual Cesar Chavez March and Community Gathering

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By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

joanne@wktv.org

 

Pastor Troy “PE” Evans probably best described the Cesar E. Chavez Social Justice March and Community Gathering the best.

 

“I was about to apologize about there not being enough room, but this is pretty sweet,” said Evans from the podium at the Edge Urban Fellowship where he serves as pastor and where the community gathering took place.

 

The event – in honor of civil rights leader César E. Chávez – started with the march from Potters House School on the corner of Van Rattle and Granville Avenue, known as César Chávez Boulevard. The parade, which was lead by Mayor Grand Rapids Rosalynn Bliss and Committee to Honor César Chávez Chairperson Lupe Ramos-Montigny, ended at Edge Urban Fellowship, located at 735 Ritzema SW, right next to the César Chávez Elementary.

 

The little over an hour-long program – will be broadcasted on WXTV (channel 25 on Comcast, channel 26 on AT&T, and channel 99 on U-verse) – started about 15 minutes late as organizers worked to seat attendees with the audience spilling into the foyer and balcony area.

 

The annual event is organized by The Committee to Honor César E. Chávez in partnership with the César E. Chávez Unity Committee, a community and collegiate collaborative that includes Ferris State University, Aquinas College, Central Michigan University, Davenport University, Grand Rapids Community College, Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids Public Schools and Grand Valley State University.

 

The legendary Latino leader, who died in 1993, co-founded the United Farm Workers Union. The event, which falls on his birthday every year, is designed to commemorate the vision of Chávez “to engage all, particularly youth, to carry on his values and timeless vision for a better world.” During his life, Chávez made several visits to Grand Rapids in support of improving working conditions for migrant workers who worked in the fields.

 

“I can hardly speak,” said Ramos-Montigny as she spoke to those who had crowded into the church. “And I know, coming from me, it’s hard to believe,” gathering a chuckle from those in attendance.

 

“I am truly moved by the students,” Ramos-Montigny said, adding that she has made it her life’s work to educate the students about Chávez, his life, his work and the importance of all people coming together for a common goal.

 

This year’s event was in, in fact, dedicated to education. “Education is the pathway to social justice,” said Ramos-Montigny, who had the audience repeat it several times. As part of the education focus, this year’s honoree was Kathleen N. Straus, who served on the State Board of Education from 1992 – 2016. She served six terms as president of the board along with filling various other positions. Straus was presented a portrait of her by Grand Rapids artist Erick Picardo.

 

Ramos-Montigny noted that this year’s brought together Straus, who was ending her education career with students who were just starting there. On hand at Thursday’s program were students from a number of local colleges and universities, including Ferris State University and Grand Valley State University. Also, students from Northview High School’s Varsity Voices performed as well as students from the César Chávez  Elementary School, who performed the closing song, the traditional folk-song and considered to be the anthem for the United Farm Workers Union, which Chávez helped found, “De Colores.”

 

“So you will see me with my peacock tail  with my feathers all ruffled as I am very proud of what we the committee has done every year for all the students,” Ramos-Montigny said.

 

WKTV will be broadcasting the César E. Chávez Social Justice March and Community Gathering. Check the WKTV listings at wktk.org for dates and times.