On this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Daryl Reece, Executive Director and co-founder of the Pieces of Reeces Foundation.

The Pieces of Reeces Foundation will once again bring the community together on Saturday, August 9, from 1-8 pm, for their third annual Piecing Together Unity Festival at Rosa Parks Circle.

The festival is hosted by the Pieces of Reece's Foundation.

The foundation provides essential resources such as food, clothing, and shelter to ensure that every child's basic needs are met, allowing them to focus on their education and personal growth.

Executive Director Daryl Reece began the foundation with his wife, Debra, in 2019.

Daryl credits his time at the Boys and Girls Clubs in Benton Harbor and Kalamazoo as being strong positive influences on his life, and he is very involved with the organization today, including the Boys and Girls Club of Grand Rapids.

More online: Pieces of Reece's Foundation⁠.

In this week's episode, WYCE station manager Phil Tower welcomes Dana Eardley, executive director of Fulton Street Market, and Anissa Mathiasz, assistant market manager at the Fulton Street Market.

Fulton Street Market celebrates the power of community and grassroots activism.

Established in 1922, Fulton Street Market has been a staple of Grand Rapids and beyond, evolving to meet the changing needs of our diverse population.

Dana Eardley talked about how Fulton Street Market has been working hard to create a vibrant marketplace experience that connects communities, supports local farmers and artisans, celebrates diverse cultures, and ensures sustainable food access for all.

We also learned that their mission is to inspire agricultural participation in Grand Rapids by tending to meaningful connections and experiences at the Market.

Other topics that Dana and Anissa touched on in this episode included:

• How the Fulton Street Market is working to achieve its mission of increasing food access in our community.
• Workshops and other learning opportunities that happen at the market.
• How the market is evolving to meet the needs of our growing and diverse West Michigan community.

Learn more online: Fulton Street Market

In this episode, WYCE station manager Phil Tower speaks with Wardell Frazier, Jr., Executive Director of The Diatribe, and J-Lin Tamminga, Director of Education at The Diatribe.

Both Wardell and J-Lin spoke about the Diatribe Vision: Creating art that is informative because we know that some of the most complex topics can be digested easier through an artistic lens, and that some of the most complex verbiage can be redivided through the creative gaze; words like racism, justice, and even liberation.

A critical and exciting piece of the future for The Diatribe is The Emory Arts & Culture Hub. In a real sense, it is “a dream home” for the Diatribe leadership.

With the Emory Arts & Culture Hub, the Diatribe plans a new model for redevelopment that they hope will serve as an example for inclusive community and economic growth, potentially influencing more of this type of work in communities across the country.

ONLINE: The Diatribe

In this episode, host Janet Zahn speaks with Sasha Wolff, founder and executive director of Still I Run, as well as Brendan Kelly, licensed therapist and owner and CEO of The Well Being.

Both West Michigan organizations have partnered to offer the Starting Line Scholarship, a program designed to remove any barriers that may be blocking individuals from taking up running for mental health.

The scholarship seeks to provide recipients with the motivation and accountability to keep running.

Still, I Run is a West Michigan-based nonprofit that promotes the benefits of running for improved mental health. They seek to support, inspire, and unite individuals of all backgrounds and experiences in their journey to better mental health.

The Well Being uses physical exercise & outpatient counseling to improve mental health for its clients.

Online: The Well Being

Still I Run

In this episode, WYCE. Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Sharon Caldwell-Newton, Executive Director with CSNIP.

CSNIP positively impacts thousands of families each year in our mission to reduce the gap in veterinary care by providing affordable vet care for pet families in our 10-county community.

They're here to help---If you have a pet, you already know how powerful the human animal bond is and how it can change lives. CSNIP promises no judgment, no attitude... just kindness and support.

Sharon told us that CSNIP provides between 10,000 to 12,000 spay/neuter surgeries per year, vaccinating between 15,000 to 17,000 pets annually, helping with dental care, and performing other soft tissue surgeries.

CSNIP can help with:

• Spay/neuter
• Wellness/Prevention
• Dental c/p
• Dental Extractions
• Other Surgical Treatments/Procedures
• Online Pharmacy

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CSNIP holds its 8th annual Wags & Whiskers auction on October 29th, 2025.

More online: CSNIP

On this week's episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Jazz McKinney, executive director of The Grand Rapids Pride Center.

The mission of The Grand Rapids Pride Center is to create positive change for the 2-SLGBTQ+ community by breaking down barriers, creating awareness, providing inclusive services, and bridging relationships.

Jazz spoke about the history of the Pride Center and also discussed the upcoming PrideFest 2025, happening on Calder Plaza on Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22, full of activities for all kinds of people and family-friendly as well.

The first Pride Celebration was held at the Monroe Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids on June 19, 1988.

Today, it has grown to be one of the largest one-day events in Grand Rapids.

Grand Rapids Pride Festival is an event that brings 2-SLGBTQ+ community members, 2-SLGBTQ+ businesses, allies, and organizations together to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the beautiful, vast 2-SLGBTQ+ community!

Going into its 37th year in 2025, Grand Rapids Pride Festival is working to create a safe, open, and inclusive environment for Grand Rapids community members to celebrate who they are.

On this episode, host Janet Zahn welcomes Lakiya Jenkins, executive director of LINC UP, and Donald Thompson, events coordinator with LINC UP.

They joined Janet to discuss their upcoming Rock the Block Festival on June 14th in Grand Rapids

LINC UP’s Rock the Block brings neighbors, local businesses, and community partners together for a vibrant day of connection, celebration, and culture. It features live music and food trucks, local vendors, and many family activities.

Rock the Block transforms their neighborhood into a block party with purpose—celebrating the people who make our community strong.

About LINC UP: With 20 years of experience building affordable housing and community power, LINC UP is working to achieve racial equity in Grand Rapids.

The LINC UP mission is to advance a racial equity agenda in Grand Rapids by Expanding Affordable Housing and Increasing Community Power. They strive to change policies that limit advancement opportunities in under-resourced communities and neighborhoods.

Online: LINC UP

On this episode, we welcome back Dana Romero-, BSCD.

They are the Development Coordinator for Donor Communications at YWCA West Central Michigan.

YWCA West Central Michigan is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and girls, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.

The YWCA West Central Michigan seeks to inspire hope and healing.

Where racism and sexism give rise to domestic and sexual violence, the YWCA works to transform lives with expert services for victims, and education programs to end those things that fuel abuse.

The YWCA also works to urge public policy that translates its mission into law.

Dana reminded us that one of the biggest fundraisers of the year is coming up on June 7, 2025.

The 41st annual Women Lawyers Versus Judges, Charity Softball game, and fundraiser for the YWCA.

The game is held at LMCU Ballpark.

Learn more about YWCA West Central Michigan.