KConnect

The Delta Project Nonprofit is committed to breaking the generational cycle of incarceration by reconnecting youth of color and their families to community relationships through mentorship, coaching, and storytelling. By engaging in meaningful conversations with youth navigating the juvenile justice system and offering impactful programming, The Delta Project fosters resilience, personal growth, and the transformative power of positive mentorship. Visit The Delta Project’s website to learn more about how Kent County’s youth are overcoming challenges within the justice system and making meaningful contributions to their communities: https://lnkd.in/gnU9m_6z

Mark your calendars! The Accountability Partners Council (APC) biannual convening is back this Spring. Join us to collaborate with cross-sector stakeholders and the KConnect Network to make collective decisions using the KConnect Voting Protocol. This is a space to shape KConnect’s work and drive systemic coordination, alignment, and innovation. Registration opening soon! Learn more about the APC on our website: https://k-connect.org/apc/

The 2025 Kent County Education Summit is happening next month, April 19, 2025, at the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation (GRCCT)! This is an opportunity to bring together educators, students, parents, legislators, and community leaders to drive real change in our local schools. Dive into professional development for educators, advocacy opportunities for students & parents, and key conversations on improving student well-being & education outcomes. Get ready to be part of a solution that will impact our future generations: https://lnkd.in/eazSQc_G

We’re incredibly grateful for the amazing women on the KConnect team. From deepening our connections with communities across West Michigan to strengthening our internal team, we’re honored to work alongside the women who keep us going every day. Throughout this month of celebrating the history and growth of women around the world, we acknowledge not just the progress of the past, but the opportunities for the future. Happy #InternationalWomensDay!

In celebration of #InternationalWomensDay tomorrow, we’re honoring the strength of women who are shaping policy and advocacy in our community. A special thank you to Renell Weathers, Kathleen Ley Bruinsma, and Jayme Vosovic for joining Dr. Shayla Young in our latest PACE podcast episode. Tune in as they share their inspirational journeys, the impact of their work, and the valuable lessons they’ve learned along the way. Listen to the latest episode: https://bit.ly/3XwJ2wK

At KConnect, we’re dedicated to advancing equitable opportunities across Kent County through collective impact. With a backbone team of seven and a network of over 150 partners, we align efforts locally, nationally, and beyond. We show up with curiosity, creativity, and courage—because systemic change starts with the Three C’s. Swipe to learn how we show up for our community, and visit?www.k-connect.org?to learn more.

KConnect's holistic Workplan tackles systemic barriers and creates pathways that enhance education, economic mobility, and well-being by supporting every stage of a person’s journey, from early childhood to workforce entry and sustained family income. Through cross-sector collaboration and a focus on underserved populations, KConnect drives lasting impact. We're currently convening Align and Design Teams and developing strategies in the K-12, Post-Secondary Completion, and Career Success areas of our Workplan. Learn about our work across the prenatal to career continuum by visiting:?https://bit.ly/3X6u8Ns

Our latest episode of the PACE Forward podcast is live! We’re not just collecting data to improve life in Kent County. We’re facilitating challenging dialogue, bringing together transformative groups, and driving equitable outcomes from prenatal to career. Curious about KConnect's history, structure, and impact? Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eAhzDBrD

What happens when a community takes bold risks to drive change? KConnect shows us exactly how transformative leadership can reshape the future. In this episode of #TogetherForChange, Paris Woods, Ed.D., chief program officer at StriveTogether, is joined by Mark Woltman, vice president at KConnect, and Dr. Shayla Young, vice president at KConnect, as they talk about the work that awarded KConnect the Nancy Zimpher Courage in Leadership Award. Listen here! https://hubs.li/Q038jxJX0

According to, The Delta Project Nonprofit, boys and young men of color are disproportionately represented in the juvenile justice system. Many lack access to mentors who share their lived experiences. The Delta Project is working to change the narrative and support these young men as they navigate their journeys to become what they can’t always see. In one of their recent conversations on the What I Know Now podcast, hosts Bilal and Cole sit down with Dominic, a young man who transformed his life after encountering the juvenile justice system. From interpersonal difficulties as a youth to a high school graduate with his sails set for college, Dominic’s powerful experiences show what is possible through self-determination and positive mentorship. Listen to Dominic's story below!