Grand Rapids Southeast Promise Neighborhood

Storytime in the Park Join us this summer for stories, free books and ice cream, special guests, and a whole lot of fun! For all ages of kids and teens. StorytimeGR is a partnership of Read GR, Grand Valley State University, John Ball Area Neighbors (JBAN) and the City of Grand Rapids Office of Special Events. Upcoming Events Tuesdays, June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 July 7, 14, 21, 28 August 4, 11, 18, 25 6:30 pm | Garfield Park – 2111 Madison SE Tuesday, June 9, 16, 23, 30, July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11 6:30 pm | Lincoln Park –1120 Bridge St NW   Libros Gratis Helado Los niños 0-17

Join the Grand Rapids Griffins’ “Put A Lid On It!” bike helmet safety program and the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention Program at GRPL’s Seymour Branch. The first 100 kids ages 1-12 will be fitted for and receive a free bike helmet (while supplies last). A parent or guardian must be present to receive a helmet. For more information, call 616-391-SAFE or visit griffinshockey.com/putalidonit

Join the Grand Rapids Griffins’ “Put A Lid On It!” bike helmet safety program and the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Injury Prevention Program at GRPL’s Seymour Branch. The first 100 kids ages 1-12 will be fitted for and receive a free bike helmet (while supplies last). A parent or guardian must be present to receive a helmet. For more information, call 616-391-SAFE or visit griffinshockey.com/putalidonit

Join us for a safe, reflective conversation for parents and caregivers just like you.We’ll be at the Picnic Shelter at MLK Park- Children are welcome & refreshments are provided! Registration is appreciated, but not required: https://linktr.ee/familyfutures Cafés connect people to build: relationships, support, resilience, knowledge, communication Cafés are structured, small-group conversations designed as safe spaces where people talk and listen to one another about topics that matter to them. Reports show 97% of Parent Café participants leave feeling more confident and less alone.

Join fellow caregivers at GRCCT for a Parent Cafe on the third Thursday of the month! This is an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect with other caregivers from different walks of life. Cafes are a fun and engaging way for caregivers to feel supported, heard, and safe to share their needs. If you are interested or have questions, reach out to Veronica Cook- vcook@bethany.org.    

Learn more:  https://www.lincup.org/community-events/feed-the-block-3-yg3kt

Join YWCA West Central Michigan for Summer Connections, a family-friendly community event focused on resources, connection, and summer fun. This relaxed afternoon at Garfield Park will bring together community partners, local organizations, families, and neighbors to celebrate the spirit of connection and collective action. Guests will have the opportunity to visit resource tables, enjoy music from a live DJ, grab food, and take part in kid-friendly activities. Event Details Garfield Park, Grand Rapids, MI Saturday, July 18, 2026 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM What to Expect Live DJ Free food and refreshments Kids activities and family-friendly fun Community resource tables Opportunities to connect with local organizations and services At its heart, Summer Connections is about belonging. Through music, food, laughter, and shared experiences, this event reminds us that creating change can also mean coming together in gratitude and celebration. Come meet local organizations, explore helpful resources, and enjoy a welcoming afternoon in the park with YWCA West Central Michigan and our community partners. This is a free community event, but registration is requested so we can plan for food, activities, and event updates. Please reserve a free ticket for each person in your group who plans to attend.

Summer Saturdays at the GRPM Join us on Saturdays at the Museum this Summer for special themed days full of hands-on activities, dynamic demonstrations, guided tours, and more! The Grand Rapids Public Museum is continuing Summer Saturdays for a second year, expanding engagement opportunities to beat the heat inside the Museum or to embrace the heat by exploring the downtown corridor with us. In addition to the Unseen Oceans exhibit, visitors can explore special themed activities almost every Saturday from June 13 to August 15. Summer Saturdays will focus on specific areas of science, history, and culture. Each Saturday will bring a different theme and perspective to Museum guests, including celebrations of the new Riverfront space, Unseen Oceans, and the Grand River. Mark your calendars to join us for summer fun! Summer Saturday Themes Full descriptions of each day are listed on the GRPM’s Digital Calendar. Click any day to see the full description. June 13 – Riverfront Grand Opening June 20 – Unseen Oceans June 27- Celebrating the Grand River Watershed and USA at 250! July 11 – Birds of the Great Lakes July 18 – Exploring the Deep July 25 – A Celebration of Music and Dance August 1 – Riverside Art August 8 – STEAM Day August 15 – Grand River Adventure

These free, open-house style events are great for any age and meant for smaller groups or individuals wishing to check out the Kent County Recycling and Education Center! So what is there to see and do during Recycling Center Open Hours? Self-guided tours of the space and recycling sorting line If you’d like a formal, guided tour please request your recycling center tour. – Self-guided tours of the space and recycling sorting line – Create upcycled crafts – Play with our recycling toys and games! – Explore our recycling and waste exhibits throughout the Recycling & Education Center – Have your recycling and disposal questions answered in-person by our Waste Reduction Educators – And more! Spend as much time as you’d like learning, creating, or interacting with staff to learn more about recycling and waste. Please drop in during the designated hours of the scheduled event according to the schedule. This event is perfect for: Individuals that are curious as to how Kent County’s recycling program works and want to know what can be recycled Families and parents with young children looking for a casual experience Childcare providers or babysitters looking for fun activities to engage in Other small groups (around 12 or less) looking to explore the world of recycling such as homeschool groups