On this episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with David Bult, executive director of Next Step of West Michigan, and Darion Boyd, Carpentry-Community Builder with Next Step of West Michigan.

Next Step of West Michigan is a faith-based, social enterprise non-profit that provides job skills training, as well as employment opportunities in construction, manufacturing, and municipal clean-up.

The organization works to stabilize and empower its teammates to create high-quality products and services for its customers.​

They serve people who have barriers to employment—broken relationships, lack of resources, insecure housing, previous incarceration, or addiction—but are determined to build a better future.

Next Step of West Michigan does this work in the 49507 neighborhood and greater Grand Rapids communities. Their goal is to cultivate a sustainable place in our city where people can heal and grow through work and relationships, where all can thrive.​

Online: Next Step of West Michigan

On this week's episode, host , John Rumery fromWYCE speaks with Lindsay Ellis, a member of the Grand Rapids Women's Chorus.

The Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus is dedicated to singing music that celebrates and honors the diversity of women’s lives. Drawing on music from many cultures, the Chorus strives to educate and inspire its community to promote justice, peace, and equality.

The chorus is a diverse, volunteer group of women who are devoted to musical excellence and using the power of music to delight, to uplift, and to advance the cause of social justice.

The Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus presents two major concerts annually in addition to appearances in a variety of community events and venues.

Learn More: The Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus

On this episode, WYCE's Janet Zahn speaks with Nicole Rapacki, the Recycling Coordinator for the Grand Rapids Department of Public Works.

Nicole and Janet spoke about the efforts by the city of Grand Rapids to consider becoming the sole trash hauler for residential properties, according to city officials.

The Grand Rapids Department of Public Works leadership has conducted two separate studies that have each recommended that the city become the single hauler for residential services.

Currently, the city handles about 90% of residential trash collection, with private companies serving the remainder.

ONLINE: City of Grand Rapids Department of Public Works