Donate Now
Subscribe to E-News
Wish to receive our monthly e-news? Subscribe now.
Visit us on Facebook
Become a friend of Lighthouse Communities, support our causes or learn more about us.
In the Community
Read about Lighthouse's staff service days and other activities we are involved with in the community ... read more
Local News
- GR Press: Photos of LINC Academy for Social Transformation
Darel Ross II, top, teaches the Leadership Academy for Social Transformation (LAST) at LINC Community Revitalization Inc. in Grand Rapids Thursday, January 26, 2012. Ross is the co-executive director of LINC. LAST is funded through a W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant. (Cory Morse | The Grand Rapids Press) - LINC News Bureau/Rapidian: What's behind the Believe 2 Become initiative?
Wednesday night, members of the community gathered as a part of the LINC News Bureau and discussed the work of Believe 2 Become (B2B) within the neighborhood. Believe 2 Become is a collaborative partnership of hundreds of organizations and individuals who believe in the unlimited potential of Grand Rapids children. LINC Community Revitalization, Inc. is leading the neighborhood engagement work for the initiative. - Rapidian: LINC News Bureau set to launch this month
LINC Community Revitalization, Inc. launches a neighborhood news bureau to lift up the voice of the community. - New Grand Rapids Park 11.19.11
Fox 17 video coverage of Madison Square Park Design Charrette, November 19, 2011. Thanks Darren Cunningham! - Artserve: lincing artists to business
On South Madison Ave. in Grand Rapids’ Southtown district, there is a brand new business center that is incubating its first class of eight budding entrepreneurs – including two men that are building their businesses around their artistic talents. Erick Pichardo, a visual artist and graphic designer, is establishing (with Yarixa Jimenez, his fiancé) Epic Emporium, a gallery/print shop/gift shop, that includes much more than the colorful locally-produced works of art on the wall. Dean Wiers-Windemuller, a gifted guitarist, has opened Southtown Guitar, to offer guitar lessons, guitar sales and service. The idea of LINC‘s Business Incubator is to give the entrepreneurs a financial leg up in launching their business, plus the support to improve their odds for sustainable success. Pichardo and Wiers-Windemuller had to qualify for the program, which included developing detailed plans for their new enterprises. “Their ideas had to be a good fit for the building and the neighborhood and be sustainable for the long run,” said Jorge Gonzales, the director of the program. “Dean had a solid plan and a good concept to connect with schools and other local businesses. Erick has been one of our local ‘starving artists’ with lots of talent and some great ideas. When we reviewed his plans we saw the opportunity to help him build more business capacity to make those ideas a reality and create a lasting business model.” - LINC incubator launches with six new businesses in Grand Rapids' Madison Square - Rapid Growth
Six new businesses opened their doors on Friday, Nov. 11 in Grand Rapids' Madison Square business district, the first step in an economic development push by Grand Rapids-based LINC Community Revitalization, Inc. to help entrepreneurs launch local businesses and create jobs. - Community Helps Design GR Park - Fox 17
A Grand Rapids neighborhood is getting a makeover, and the community has the chance to do the designing. On the corner of Madison St. SE and Adams St. SE, sits vacant land with a handful of trees. The city and a couple of community organizations plan to transform it into a beautiful park. "This is an opportunity for us to really design some great accessible green space for a neighborhood," says Steve Faber, with Friends of Grand Rapids Parks. Madison Square Park is the new name. - GR Press: New Grand Rapids business incubator starts small to revive economy
“We’re gambling that this is the future of our economy,” said Darel Ross, LINC’s co-executive director. “Micro-business on a neighborhood level is definitely going to be the way that Michigan comes back. - GRNow.com: Photos from the LINC Business Center Ribbon Cutting, Madison SE
Snapshots of the Grand Opening celebration for the LINC Business Center on November 11, 2011. Thanks GRNow! - Schools of Thought: Rapid Growth's Speak Series
Leaders in educational development and community involvement discuss educational initiatives within GRPS and Grand Rapids... - neu magazine: Engineering a Community Entrepreneur
Check out Urban LINC's article in GVSU Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation's magazing: neu Volume 3! - Burton students welcomed back in style: Red carpet rolled out
Tuesday marked the first day of school for many West Michigan students. Those at Burton Elementary and Middle School in Grand Rapids got the red carpet rolled out for them. Superintendent Bernard Taylor and teachers met to cheer on the students as they stepped off the bus. The charity called Believe 2 Become organized the event. "First day of school. It's special, man. So it's all about them on this morning. We need them to succeed. They need us to succeed as well. So this is a way of saying, 'Hey, you're important to our community,'" said Joe Jones of Believe 2 Become. - Two Rock Stars: High school students work at LINC this summer
In a time where many feel our educational system is failing our kids, dropout rates are at an all-time high, and schools that have been a part of the community for years are closing, there are two students who dispel these concerns and are beacons of hope to us all: 15 year old Fernanda Muñoz of Union High School and 16 year old Aysha Peterson of East Kentwood High School. LINC Community Revitalization Inc. is privileged to have had Fernanda and Aysha as paid interns this summer through the “Y.E.P. I’m Working program,” out of Brown-Hutcherson Ministries as part of the I Believe I Become summer learning experience. This was a first job opportunity for both young ladies who took full advantage of their introduction into a professional work atmosphere. Some of the duties performed were data entry, answering phones at the front desk, customer service, flyering, very light community engagement and much more. Aysha Peterson said this experience helped her “speak out to encourage others and have fun with community engagement”, while Fernanda became “more comfortable with her communication skills, knowing when to be professional and when to have fun along with having a better understanding of diverse communities.” Both young ladies feel that LINC has a very positive impact on the community and would have never known the “penetration” level LINC has in the community if they weren’t given the opportunity to experience the professionalism of LINC from the inside out. Fernanda and Aysha are very dedicated and hard workers who are mature, astute, and a pleasure to work with. These two are testaments that there are still many youth who strive for excellence in their academic as well as social and professional lives. LINC values and appreciates the hard work and dedication shown from Fernanda Muñoz and Aysha Peterson and wish them the best of luck in all of their future endeavors. - Co-Work Space Aims to Energize a Neighborhood
Working from home can have its advantages but for some budding entrepreneurs, there may come a time when the laptop on the dining room table and the coffeehouse meetings with clients lose their luster. If you're growing to the point where you want to add an employee or two, the lack of a workplace becomes especially tricky, said Jeremy DeRoo, co-executive director of the Grand Rapids-based community development corporation LINC. Enter the co-working space. This phenomenon, wherein often-disparate businesses share working and meeting space, office equipment and even ideas, has taken flight in the last decade. In recent years, the area has seen the emergence of co-working spaces in downtown Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids and Zeeland. Now, a new co-working space in SE Grand Rapids is hoping to draw local business professionals, while keeping in mind a larger overall goal: revitalizing a neighborhood. Urban LINC, the area's newest co-working space, opened its doors this June at the corner of Madison Avenue and Hall Street in Grand Rapids' Madison Square Neighborhood. It is housed in a former library that was renovated after sitting dormant for the better part of a decade. The total cost of the new building was approximately $1.7 million. Foundations, government grants and bank financing each contributed $500,000 for the project while $200,000 came from state tax credits. The LEED certified space also houses LINC's offices, a business incubator and a Grand Rapids Police Department community post. In the coming weeks, the building will also see the opening of the corridor's only sit-down restaurant, a breakfast and lunch diner being developed by Southern Fish Fry owner Robert Ball. The Madison Square area has been a major target for neighborhood revitalization in the last decade. One way to measure the overall health of a neighborhood, says DeRoo, is its economic vibrancy. "Small business development is one means to improve opportunities and remove barriers," he says. Urban LINC aims to improve opportunities specifically in this neighborhood, where professional, for-profit businesses are in short supply. While the co-working space wasn't in the initial plans for the building at 1167 Madison Ave. SE, it became apparent during the planning process that it would be a natural fit for the space and for the community, says DeRoo. Risk is part and parcel of starting a business, but costs associated with an office can be prohibitive for those just starting out. Colliers International's 2011 first quarter numbers indicate that the average asking rate for office space was $15.44 per square foot, per year for the West Michigan market. That rate is nearly $2 higher for the downtown Grand Rapids market. Urban LINC offers rates for individuals, nonprofits and corporations on a per-day or per-month basis. The fees include all the expected workplace amenities: wireless internet, copy and FAX capabilities, access to meeting and training rooms, desks, lounge areas, parking and unlimited cups of coffee. Leadership development and other helpful classes will be offered in the building, placing a wealth of information at the fingertips of co-work space users. "The [co-work space] takes away a huge burden for business owners," says Jorge Gonzalez, director of economic development for LINC. Of course, unlike with a dedicated office space, users must share. But Gonzalez believes that this is a good thing for businesses. As past president of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, he has a handle on what it takes to create successful business networks. DeRoo and Gonzalez agree that West Michigan has some work to do in the area of creating stronger social networks. "One of the reasons for the co-work space in this business community," says DeRoo, "is to help build up an underdeveloped network of minority business owners. The goal for this building is to create stronger connections." That's not to say that LINC is targeting only minorities to work in the space. Staff is hoping for a distinct mix of professionals from all business backgrounds, from the neighborhood and beyond. The space is a first for the area, and will give it a necessary element of a thriving neighborhood. "One advantage," says DeRoo, "is that some of the professionals who use the space will get to see a neighborhood they might not otherwise see. At the same time, neighbors will see people working away on their laptops." While LINC staff anticipates that the space will be a draw for business owners, it's not confined to those in the for-profit realm. Michael Daniels directs Grand Rapids-based nonprofit School-to-Career Progressions. His organization works with at-risk youth to improve grades and set goals for school and beyond. He recently signed on to use the co-work space. After 11 years in his position, he is thrilled to have extra space for meetings and trainings. "What this space does is provide a location in the inner city-- in the community we serve," says Daniels, who is one of three co-work space users already using Urban LINC. (The others include a realtor and a translator.) One other benefit, Daniels says, is Urban LINC's design. It's big, bright and provides plenty of space for working with others. The space also features the work of local artist Erick Pichardo and could serve as a gallery for the work of other artists in the future. Gonzalez hopes to fill the space with a total of 20 users by the end of summer and, based on the inquiries he's had from prospective co-workers, believes that will happen. Anyone interested in learning more about use of Grand Rapids' newest co-working space should contact Gonzalez at jorge@lincrev.org. - LINC invites community members to set their news agenda on The Rapidian
Although LINC just moved to its new building in Madison Square (1167 Madison SE), its spacious community training room has been put to task, hosting dozens of trainings in the last two months. On a sunny Monday evening, LINC staffers Kari Galbreath and Javonte Tubbs held the first Rapidian bureau training to share how The Rapidian can be part of residents' toolkit to share critical information about their neighborhoods. "It allows our residents and people in our community to give their own story and share their own information about what's going on in their community, what's going on in the neighborhood," Javonte explained... - Creemos y seremos
José Vásquez (véase foto) y su familia asistieron la reunión de planificación LINC el jueves. La reunión fue la primera de cinco reuniones de planificación vecindario para discutir el mejoramiento del alfabetismo de los niños con el propósito de graduación de la secundaria para todos. La hija de Vásquez, Diane, comenzará en la Escuela Primaria Cesar E. Chávez el próximo año. Aspira proveerle con las oportunidades que necesita para tener éxito en la escuela. “Vine para que me dieran consejos. ¿Cómo puedo hablar con mis hijos? ¿Cómo les puedo ayudar en la escuela?” Preguntó Vásquez. “¿Cómo puedo mejorar un poco como padre, y así ser una familia mejor?” Los Festejos El evento inició con una interpretación al aire libre por músicos invitados Grupo Akaray, y con bailarina Laura Armenta. Luego los vecinos llenaron el gimnasio para comer tacos y pastel. Disfrutaron de una interpretación de percusión en vivo por Grupo Tarasco y los trabajos de artista Erick Pichardo. La energía del salón intensificó cuando la Directora Bilingüe de Servicios Vecindarios LINC Ana Doonan y Eureka Smith del Instituto Nacional de Desarrollo Comunitario tomaron el escenario. Iniciaron aplausos para los niños en el salón, distribuyeron premios de entrada, todos se “dieron cinco” diciendo “¡chócala!”, y todos cantaron la tema de Creemos y Seremos en español e inglés. Creemos y Seremos: Vamos al Grano La iniciativa de Creemos y Seremos está basada en 3 ideas principales: todos los niños tienen potencial, nuestra comunidad espera cosas fenomenales de ellos, y tenemos que crear oportunidades concretas para que nuestros niños se gradúen de la secundaria y la universidad, preparándolos para carreras viables. “Es un movimiento para salvar a nuestros hijos,” dijo Edwin Hernández de la Fundación Douglas & María Devos. “Todos los niños aquí tienen el potencial para graduarse,” dijo bachiller de secundaria City High Rafael Martínez durante la reunión. “¡Hagamos una diferencia!” Y el primer paso en hacer una diferencia, según el plan de Creemos y Seremos, es escuchar las voces de los padres, niños, maestros, y educadores de la comunidad. José Vásquez y Sus Vecinos Planean para el Futuro de sus Hijos La cafetería llena se dividió en grupos pequeños para discutir la pregunta siguiente: “¿Qué es lo que impide a nuestros hijos tener éxito académico?” Uno de los grupos discutió la necesidad de educación en inglés y español para los padres; otro grupo discutió temas como violencia de pandilla, drogas y la falta de actividades positivas para niños después de la escuela. Después de las reuniones iniciales de planificación comunitaria, parientes y miembros de la comunidad trabajarán en planificación de acción para solucionar algunos de los asuntos que se presentaron en los grupos pequeños el jueves. Cuando todo se ultime, la comunidad determinará un plan de acción principal para mejorar el analfabetismo de los niños en la Zona Oeste de Esperanza. Vea de Qué se Trata La próxima reunión de planificación comunitaria será el 4 de agosto desde las 5:30 hasta las 8:30pm en la Escuela Primaria Cesar E. Chávez. Todos los residentes de la Zona Oeste de Esperanza y proveedores de servicio están invitados a asistir. - Creemos y seremos: We believe we become
José Vasquez and his family attended LINC Community Revitalization's Believe 2 Become West Hope Zone planning meeting on Thursday. The meeting was the first of five neighborhood planning meetings to discuss improving children's literacy focused on high school graduation for all. Vasquez's daughter, Diane, will start at Cesar E Chavez Elementary next year. He aims to provide her with the opportunities she needs to be successful in school. "I came to get tips. How can I talk to [my kids]? How can I help them in school?" Vasquez asked. "How can I be a little bit better parent and that way, [we can] be a better family?" The Festivities The event kicked off with an outdoor performance by musical guest Grupo Akaray with dancer Laura Armenta. Then neighbors filed into the gym for tacos and cake, and enjoyed a live drumming performance, Grupo Tarasco, and the work of artist Erick Pichardo. The energy in the room skyrocketed when LINC's bilingual Director of Neighborhood Services Ana Doonan and Eureka Smith of the National Community Development Institute took the stage. They led a round of applause for the children in the room, distributed door prizes, encouraged everyone to high five one another, and chanted the Believe 2 Become motto in Spanish and English. Believe 2 Become Nitty Gritty The Believe 2 Become initiative is based on three main ideas: all children have unlimited potential, our community expects great things from them, and we must create real opportunity for our children to graduate from high school and college to prepare them for viable careers. "It's a movement to save our children," said Edwin Hernandez of the Douglas & Maria Devos Foundation. "All kids here have the potential to graduate," said City High School graduate Rafael Martinez during the meeting. "Let's make a difference!" And the first step to making a difference, according to the Believe 2 Become plan, is to listen to community voices of parents, kids, teachers, and educators. Jose Vasquez and His Neighbors Plan for the Future of their Children The packed cafeteria split off into small groups to discuss the following question: "What's keeping our children from achieving academic success?" One of the groups discussed the need for English and Spanish education for parents; another group discussed topics like gang violence, drugs and the lack of positive after-school activities for children. After the initial community planning meetings, parents and community members will work on action planning to solve some of the issues that arose in the small groups on Thursday. When everything comes together, the community will decide on a master action plan to improve children's literacy in the West Hope Zone. See What It's All About The next community planning meeting will be held on August 4 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at Cesar E Chavez Elementary School. All West Hope Zone residents and service providers are invited to attend. - LINC Development Center opens on Madison & Hall
Lisa LaPlante FOX 17 News Reporter 3:57 p.m. EDT, June 11, 2011 GRAND RAPIDS— The Madison Square Neighborhood has been a center for revitalization on Grand Rapids southeast side. Now, there's more to celebrate: the ribbon-cutting for a new center that could help connect people with the resources they need for a better life. Check out the video! - Lighthouse becomes LINC
Today, Lighthouse announced it has adopted a chic new brand identity, LINC Community Revitalization, Inc - Southtown PhotoVoice
A picture documentary and community assesment project. - "I Believe, I Become"
Over 600 residents turned out for the first of several community meetings. - Grand Rapids Neighborhood celebrates the end of construction
Community leaders today cut the ribbon to celebrate the end of construction in the Hall Street and Madison Avenue corridor. - Lighthouse Communities and Urban Pizza
Uptown Incubator, Urban Pizza to open April 1. - Madison Square Business Incubator
Madison Square business incubator has community backing for $1.7m project. - Flips Foreclosed Homes
Lighthouse Communities has several homes throughout Kent County that they are revitalizing. The positive investment and development of these properties will likely stabilize property values of the entire block, bringing vitality and prosperity to our communities. - Bringing in NSP funds to address foreclosures and blight in southeast Grand Rapids
Garfield Park and Madison Square neighborhood will benefit from an $820,000 investment in NSP funds allocated by the State of Michigan. Watch the video online. - Countrywide Settlement Funds allocated to housing agencies
Lighthouse Communities and other local housing agencies will receive funds to continue to stabilize the neighborhoods hardest hit by foreclosures in Grand Rapids. - Fighting foreclosures with Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds
Read about the effects of foreclosure in our communities and how Lighthouse will help tackle this issue through the NSP program by making improvements to foreclosed properties and returning them to homeownership. - Madison Square business district
Madison Square business district another step closer to becoming Grand Rapids' second CID
To say that community development is about restoring relationships is a significant change from traditional approaches.
- anonymous
