245 State St. SE; 2nd Floor
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Shannon L. Harris, OCC Executive Director
(616) 456.3558; sharris@grand-rapids.mi.us
Dr. Shayla Young, OCC Program Coordinator
(616) 456.3558; eloafterschoolgr@gmail.com
Coronavirus Information
Coronavirus Information:
- Click here to learn how to create your own cloth face cover!
- Learn more about how to protect yourself and others.
Local
State
United States
COVID-19 Testing
Kent County Health Department
- The Kent County Health Department has partnered with NxGenMDx/LINC Up and Helix MDx for free COVID testing. Tests are administered using the Nasopharyngeal Swab. It is taking at least 24-72 hours for results to come back. Register here.
- NxGen MDx/LINC Up
1167 Madison Ave SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49507Hours:
- Monday: 1:30pm- 4pm & 4:45 – 7:00pm
- Tuesday: 9:30am – 1:00pm & 1:45 – 5:00pm
- Wednesday: CLOSED
- Thursday: 1:30pm – 4pm & 4:45pm – 7:00pm
- Friday: 9:30am – 1:00pm & 1:45 – 5:00pm
Spectrum Health
- Spectrum Health offers COVID-19 screening and testing. First, you must be screened to determine if you qualify for a COVID-19 test. All tests require a valid physician order. An appointment is required to get a COVID-19 test. We will not be able to accommodate walk-ins or drive-ins at any COVID-19 testing site without an appointment for that day and location.
- Call the COVID-19 Hotline at 833.559.0659 to schedule.
Mercy Health
- Mercy Health Saint Mary’s has a virtual tool to screen anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or you can call 833.247.1258.
- The Mercy Health Saint Mary’s drive-thru testing center is located in the Mercy Health Southwest Campus – COVID Collection Drive-thru, 2373 64th St. SW. Byron Center, MI 49315. Click here to schedule COVID-19 test.
Parents & Families
Parents & Families
Calling 2-1-1 is going to be your best bet if you have any needs for food, shelter, utility bills. Start there, and they can direct you where there may be help available.
Childcare
Internet services
- For a family who doesn’t have internet service at home: Comcast is offering its internet essentials service free for the next two months if you apply before April 30th. Apply here.
Mental Health
- Arbor Circle will continue to serve clients through modified strategies.
• If you are looking for services, need assistance, or are making a referral, please contact us at 616.456.6571 or info@arborcircle.org.
• Our youth crisis line is available 24/7 at 616.451.3001 to provide resources and referrals to youth in need.
• If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at info@arborcircle.org and we will respond promptly.
• If you are having difficulty connecting with us by phone or email, you can text us at 616.260.3271.
Travel
- The Rapid is running its fall service schedule. All routes (except Route 19 – Michigan Crosstown) will be back in service on weekdays from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m., and the normal weekend schedule will be in effect. Click here to see the full schedule details.
Unemployment Help
Afterschool Ideas during COVID-19
Outdoor Play
- Go out with family members and take a nature walk, explore trails, but avoid popular spots and peak times. Always maintain a distance of at least 6 feet from others wherever you go. Do NOT use playground equipment, public restrooms, and water fountains. Wash your hands before and after you go outside and avoid touching your face. Click here for more guidelines.
- Download the FREE Nature Passport app on Android and App Store. Click here for more information.
- Piedmont Park Conservancy has put together at-home educational activities. Below are a few outdoor play activities.
Explore more Indoors & STEAM
- Boy Scouts of America Michigan Crossroads Council has introduced a 30-day Cub Scout Challenge! From Kindergarten to 5th Grade, Boy Scouts has provided resources to help you do adventures at home!
- Check out Camp Blodgett’s home activities! https://www.campblodgett.org/virtual-camp.html
- Try a new recipe or make dinner as a family; find recipes and tips for cook with children safely on the Cooking with Kids webpage.
- Detroit PBS Daily Newsletter
- First Tee of West Michigan has launched online lessons! Click here.
- Play games indoors! Games for younger children include Simon Says, Duck Duck Goose, or Follow the Leader. Older children can play “I Spy,” charades, indoor bowling, or make up new games.
- Have a local library card? Many local libraries, including the Grand Rapids Public Library and the Kent District Library allow you to check out and download ebooks! Read aloud to each other, read silently, or take turns reading to each other.
- The GRPM is actively collecting digital submissions of community stories, videos, photos and objects related to COVID-19 to ensure the local experience is documented for future generations.
- Check in on the Grand Rapids Public Museum’s two live Lake Sturgeon in the Grand Fish, Grand Riverexhibit!
- Enjoy John Ball Zoo’s Zoo Insiders on their Facebook page on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
- Piedmont Park Conservancy has put together at-home educational activities. Below are a few play activities.
Music & Arts
- Experience Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park including livestreams of the butterfly exhibit, daily story time with staff and “virtual visits” through their Facebook page. Virtual visits are daily at 10am and 2pm.
- Explore the Anishinabe Culture.
- Are your children missing their school friends or other family members? Set up a virtual playdate with their friends or connect with family members living afar via video chat.
Nonprofits
The Michigan After-School Partnership
- Two Inspirational Keynoters to Help OST Pros ‘ Refresh and Learn’
- January 26-27
- New this year is one single price of $20 for both days that entitles attendees to access a unique event profile allowing you to interact with other participants. Set up virtual profile and purchase virtual tickets here.
- Shifting to a Sustenance Mindset
- Life coach Monica Marie Jones opens the annual event, held virtually this year, with self-affirming strategies to shift mindsets, focus on what’s possible, and create clarity in one’s viewpoints. As a consultant, Jones supports clients experiencing major transitions and helps facilitate breakthroughs in their careers and relationships.
- Support during Uncertainty: Self-Care and Student Support in Response to Pandemic
- Dr. Jim Harris, a consultant in the health and human services fields, will focus his address on self-care and supporting students in the pandemic. He is a frequent conference speaker on topics including behavioral intervention, parenting, positive behavior support, trauma-informed care, and is the creator of the audio program, “Ten Things You Need to Know about Kids.”
- Shifting to a Sustenance Mindset
Financial Assistance Programs
Paycheck Protection Program
- Overview: A loan to incentivize small businesses that have been impacted by COVID-19 to keep their workers on the payroll.
- Eligibility: Most small businesses with fewer than 500 employees, including 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and 501(c)(19) veterans organizations, sole proprietors, independent contractors and self-employed persons
- Loan details: 1% interest with a two-year term
- Loan forgiveness: Some or all of the loan may be forgiven if the funds are used for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. At least 75% of the forgiven amount must have been used for payroll.
- To apply: Applications are submitted through banks, so contact your bank to determine if it is participating in the program. If your bank is not participating or if you do not have a banking relationship, you still may be able to apply with another bank. A list of participating lenders is available HERE by entering your ZIP code, or you may be able to apply through Paypal or other non-traditional sources. More information: HERE and HERE
Economic Injury Disaster Loan
- Overview: A program that provides economic support to small businesses to help them overcome the temporary revenue losses as a result of COVID-19. Loans can be used for fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills.
- Eligibility: Any small business with fewer than 500 employees, including sole proprietorships, independent contractors and self-employed individuals, private nonprofit organizations or 501(c)(19) veterans organizations that have been impacted by COVID-19.
- Loan details: The program provides an advance – i.e. grant – of up to $10,000 to make up a temporary loss in revenue. Additional loan funds may be available at 3.75% interest with a term of up to 30 years.
- Loan forgiveness: The full advance will not have to be repaid and will be forgiven.
- To apply: Applications are not open but are submitted directly to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) through its website. Check back often HERE. More information: HERE and HERE
If you previously submitted an application for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan, you can check on its status by calling 800.659.2955 or emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov.
Small Businesses Resources
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Small Business Association of Michigan
- The Small Business Association of Michigan will be hosting daily briefings to help navigate the COVID-19 crisis. To learn more, and watch previous briefings, click here. Tune in daily at 3 p.m. on SBAM’s Facebook to watch live.
Small Business Development Center
- Small Business Development Center has webinar recording at no cost. Click Here.
