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Pastors, priests and other faith leaders in Grand Rapids gathered together on a bitterly cold Martin Luther King Jr. Day to call for the humane treatment of immigrants — citizens and non-citizens — sharing stories from streets, sanctuaries and, in a few cases, detention cells.

The words of the late reverend and civil rights activist, who was assassinated, defined much of the event's rhetoric and tone.

"'Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that,'" said Lynette Sparks, a pastor and a representative for Together West Michigan, the nonprofit that hosted the Monday event.

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Door after door, the response was the same: “Why would I vote? It’s not going to change anything.” Even in Grand Rapids, one of the key swing counties of the 2024 election, people felt despondent—powerless. But three months later, those neighbors had organized with hundreds of others in the city to win $20 million for their community—and that sense of powerlessness was changing...

After Together West Michigan demanded transparency and public benefits from a proposed public investment in the Fulton Market Three Towers project, developers dedicated an additional $20 million toward hiring women, minority, and micro-local contractors, almost double the original commitment.

Over 160 people overflowed from chambers for the Three Towers vote, with Third Ward Commissioner Perdue standing with Together West Michigan.

"I want to acknowledge that [this]... was only possible because of the advocacy that you all provided," said Commissioner Perdue. "There's much, much more work to do...I'm committed to keep fighting with you and look forward to what's next."

Because of the spotlight Together West Michigan put on this development, public scrutiny was introduced into a process that's often been a rubber stamp.

TWM introduced many voices that wouldn't otherwise have been heard and more attention to this development than any previous one in Grand Rapids in recent memory.  Leaders plan to continue the push for more transparency and public benefit to the new City Commission in 2025.

How Would $565 Million in Taxes Help Pay for the "Three Towers" in Grand Rapids?, FOX 17 [pdf]

GR Commission OK's Project That Would Create Downtown's Tallest Building, Channel 8 News [pdf]

GR Commission Advances Three Towers Project, WZZM 13 [pdf]

120+ TWM Members Overflow City Commission Meeting & Press Conference: Contribute More or "Show us the Math!"

Together West Michigan members packed the Grand Rapids City Commission Chamber yesterday, calling for equity and transparency in the proposed Three Towers project downtown.  Citizens are being asked to forgo over $565 million in future tax revenue to subsidize developers — receiving just $8.5 million for affordable housing spread over 20 years in return.

“We don’t oppose private development,” said Rev. Lynette Sparks of Westminster Presbyterian Church. “What we DO oppose is this insultingly small contribution to affordable housing. Public dollars demand real public benefit.”

“We keep hearing this project isn't ‘viable’ with a greater contribution,” added Pastor Peter Tewinkle of Oakdale Park Church. “Then show us the math. If it’s true, put it on paper and make it public.”

Despite assurances from the City Clerk’s office, over 40 TWM members were forced to watch the meeting from the lobby on their phones due to lack of space.

The fight isn’t over—TWM will be back when the Commission meets again.

A standing-room-only crowd of 350 people packed Trinity Reformed Church on a Saturday morning for Together West Michigan’s (TWM) first public action assembly since its launch last year.  In this meeting, institutional leaders secured commitments from: 

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Together West Michigan is a nonpartisan partnership of 20 local, faith-based and community groups.

The coalition listened to more than 1,000 people over a three-month period this past spring to identify the top concerns, which were laid out at an event on Thursday.

At the event, community members held a march, then listened to the ways in which the issues are affecting families.

One mother said her family could only afford to send their older children to daycare this summer because of their tax return.

“We are grateful that it worked out this time, but it worked out because of a miracle and a miracle is not a strategy,” said Alaina Dobkowski. “Families should not have to rely on a miracle for this to work. I know that my family is not alone in these challenges. Many families are struggling.”

Organizers say the area has a long history of philanthropy and charity, but falls short when it comes to justice and equity.

“Often times people and organizations have the tendency to try and plan for individuals and circumstances,” said Rev. Willie A. Gholtson II, Together West Michigan co-chair. “We believe that at the core of our existence is to listen to what is going on in our community so we make sure that we’re meeting their needs.”

[Photo Credit: Joel Bissell, MLive]

'We Must Do Better:' Hundreds Gather in Grand Rapids to Discuss Neighborhood Safety, Other Topics, M Live 

New Coalition Calls on Community to Support Substantive Change, FOX 17 [pdf]

What Happens When 20 Local Orgs Team Up to Improve Justice and Equity in Their Region?  Find Out Tomorrow, The Gander 

‘Ambassadors of Their Lives:’ Group Tackles Housing, Childcare, Key Issues in GR, FOX 17 [pdf]

Hundreds to Gather in Downtown Grand Rapids for Coalition’s Walk and Talk Justice, Equity, MLive [pdf]

The Morning Show: Together West Michigan, WGVU Public Media (NPR)

Complete Assembly Footage, Together West Michigan