Join In!: Community Volunteer Opportunities

Spotlight on Community Initiatives

Join In

Sponsored by Grand Rapids Community Foundation

GR Mutual Aid

 e Grand Rapids Area Mutual Aid Network is looking for volunteers to help pick up groceries and deliver to people who are not able to safely leave their homes.  ey will be reimbursed for the purchase. Volunteers with a background in counseling or social work are needed to help with emotional support for community members who may need it during this time. If you’re not able to volunteer, donations are needed to continue to help providing the most vulnerable of the Grand Rapids community with groceries, supplies and  nancial support. facebook.com/GRAMutAid

Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids

Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids provides dynamic support to individuals living with cancer, their families and those who have lost a loved one to cancer.  e organization is seeking volunteers for tasks that can be done while social distancing, such as grounds work, sewing/knitting, phone calls, card making, remote o ce projects and virtual programming facilitation. gildasclubgr.org/ get-involved

Heartside Gleaning Initiative

Heartside Gleaning empowers Heartside and surrounding communities to become healthier through increased access to healthy food and nutrition education by collecting excess produce from farmer’s markets and redistributing it. Since 2014, the organization has collected and redistributed more than 130,000 pounds of food. heartsidegleaning.org/volunteer.html

Hope for Single Moms

 is organization provides support for single moms while they achieve a career education by providing education, mentorship, community and life assistance.  ere are various opportunities to volunteer for tasks such as meal preparation, transportation, tutoring, fundraising, digital marketing and more. hsmgr.org

Melanie Orozco-Zavala Union High School Class of 2020, Challenge Scholar

Our future is bright.

Hats off to all graduates who followed their dreams and are ready to become tomorrow's leaders. Congratulations, Class of 2020! grfoundation.org

Four years ago, Victoria Upton changed my life. As many writers do at some point in their careers, I was working a smattering of jobs and freelancing as much as I could when I walked into her o ce to interview for the job as editor-in-chief of Women’s LifeStyle Magazine. We spoke brie y before she smiled and said, “When can you start?”

Being around Victoria was to realize that anything and everything is possible. Her belief in me made my childhood dreams a reality. I am forever grateful to her for that, and I only hope I can do the same for someone else.

Working as the editor of this beloved local magazine has been the honor of my professional life so far.  e edition before you will be my last.

I have spent the past four years telling the stories of women in our community who are working to make it a better place for all. It has been a privilege and a joy to elevate their voices. It has been a thrill to work with many talented and hardworking writers — some of who were  rst published in these pages — to create a diverse narrative of life in our city.

Women’s LifeStyle allowed me to grow in ways nothing had ever before. I have become a better writer, editor, interviewer, and manager, but most importantly, I have become a better member of this community. I’ve learned that a great community requires all of us to use our gifts in whatever capacity we have.

Writing this letter has been a monthly ritual of mine for four years. It is the last thing I write before each issue goes to print. I have written it on my laptop in the dead of night; in the o ce after a 15 hour day; on my phone while hiking in Iceland; on napkins while drinking sake in Japan; and in the grips of grief days after Victoria passed away 2 years ago this month on September 5. It has been my corner of the magazine to re ect on the month’s content, current events in our community, and to write directly to you.

Now, it is with this letter that I say goodbye. As I am elated to move on to a new position at another local organization with a legacy of uplifting women, know that I will deeply miss writing for you — and to you.

 ank you so much being a reader.

Women’s LifeStyle is a dynamic multi-media platform designed to make beneficial connections in our community. The positive, upbeat, award winning and popular locally owned publication is supported by a dynamic mobile friendly online presence and an interactive website, as well as friendly, helpful and consistent social media interaction with the community. Women’s LifeStyle is favored by an active, engaged and progressive audience. All content ©Women’s LifeStyle, Inc. 2020.