omen W GRAND RAPIDS
Special Advertising Section
Jessica Harrison is the new executive director at Urban Roots, a farm and education center in Grand Rapids. With 10 years of experience working to bring neighborhoods together to create change in the Grand Rapids area, she says she is ready to give much-needed attention to help the Madison neighborhood. While being devoted to educating newcomers on how to grow their own food within the space they have, she says she is truly driven by providing neighbors access to fresh and colorful produce they can pick on their own to provide a healthy option to bring home. Urban Roots’ mission is to cultivate healthy communities, and while the mission is simple, the current times are anything but that. Urban Roots encourages new partners who want to make a direct impact in the Madison neighborhood to donate. All funds donated to Urban Roots stay within their underserved neighborhood and volunteers are always welcomed.
Jessica Harrison Executive Director Urban Roots 1316 Madison Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49507 616-228-4707 urbanrootsgr.org
With a background in childcare and preschool teaching and a passion for educating young children, Kelly Russell founded Milestones Child Development Center in 2005. Since then, Milestones has grown into an institution that now serves more than 1,000 families at five program locations across West Michigan. The programming lays the foundation of early education and also focuses on nature as a way to enrich each student’s learning. As the creator, developer, and owner of the center, Russell’s mission has been to provide a safe and nurturing environment designed to meet the developmental needs of young children. As a pillar in the world of education, Kelly “moves” anyone she comes into contact with; Moves to educate. Moves to impact. Moves to change their future.
Kelly Russell Owner and President Milestones Child Development Center 4527 Cascade Rd. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546 616-551-3200 milestonescdc.com
