Dec. 17, 2025 Noorthoek Academy has filled a gap in the community for post-high school special education for more than three decades. The academy provides students with foundational skills to help build confidence and support greater independence through valuable educational experiences for lifelong learners.  “We are grateful to Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC). Their partnership for 36 years is such an incredible gift,” said Lyn VanTol, executive director of Noorthoek Academy. “Our students and our community are better because of this partnership.” A Culinary Collaboration Begins Recently, students had the opportunity to take part in a six-week cooking course hosted in collaboration with the Secchia Institute for Culinary Education at GRCC. Under the guidance of Secchia chefs, Noorthoek students learned how to prepare healthy recipes from scratch. The idea for the class initially began as a way to introduce basic nutrition skills, but Dr. Werner Absenger, program director and chef with the Secchia Institute, envisioned something bigger. “To me, cooking means togetherness, and the heart of Noorthoek Academy is to bring people together,” Dr. Absenger said. “It felt like a perfect fit. It made more sense to have a hands-on cooking class for the students to learn by doing rather than just sit in a class hearing about nutrition.” VanTol agreed. “Our students are lifelong learners,” she said. “They’re eager to learn what healthy habits look like. Often, when they’re coming to class, they’ll pick up fast food. I wanted them to see that making food at home is healthier and less expensive — and that they can do it.” Cooking As A Path To Connection The lessons extended beyond knife skills and kitchen safety; they were opportunities to build friendships and confidence. “I spent years and years in the business,” Dr. Absenger said. “It became apparent that my specific skill has an effect on people. When people break bread together, it makes a difference. Whether it’s health professionals, GRCC students or students with developmental disabilities, the outcome is always the same: People get to know other people. When we know other people, we let go of the preconceptions we have. That’s what food means to me; it brings us closer together.” By the final session, students entered the kitchen with a clear sense of pride. Several students brought baked gifts and thank-you cards for Dr. Absenger, affectionately referred to as Dr. A, in gratitude for what the class meant to them. “Dr. A brings a lighthearted energy to the class,” said Noorthoek student Sonia Pamerleau. “He not only makes cooking feel more attainable; he makes it fun. My favorite part has been the friendships we’ve built with both other Noorthoek students and GRCC students.” During the closing class, students prepared an array of breakfast items. Each recipe offered a simple, hands-on approach to healthy cooking. “I feel more confident in the kitchen now,” said student Kristen Laskowski. “I’m trying to stay away from things like chips. Now I have more fresh foods available and I feel more comfortable with my knife skills.” Chefs and Students Learn From Each Other Secchia Institute student chefs volunteered to lead the stations and support the learning environment.  “I love the teaching setting,” said Secchia Institute student Kaitie Belmore. “In general, I’ve seen everybody learns differently, so it’s a fun challenge to figure out how to teach different groups. Watching Noorthoek students grow in confidence has been such a joy. I know cooking did that for me too.” Throughout the course, the kitchen was filled with laughter, determination and a shared goal of learning together. Student chefs led with patience and purpose, creating an atmosphere where everyone felt comfortable participating and contributing. “It has been amazing watching the chefs rise to the occasion. They have become teachers,” VanTol said. “They’ve really come to understand our students — their limitations, but also their strengths. The confidence this class has produced is incredible. One student now talks about Noorthoek classes, which he never did before. His mom said he’s even talking to people he’s not familiar with about Noorthoek Academy, which is new for him. She gives full credit to the culinary arts class.” During the final class, Jonah Borucki worked alongside his mother, Mary Borucki, and another Noorthoek student assembling yogurt parfaits. “The GRCC students were super nice and had good skills to help us learn,” Jonah Borucki said. “They didn’t do things for us. They showed us how to do the task and let us do it ourselves. That is a fun way to learn. Dr. A is really kind and cares for us to be healthy. I used to be nervous about cooking when I’m older. Now I know how to cut vegetables and chicken. I want to learn more, and now I know I can.” A Program That Sparks Hope Once all the dishes were ready, the group proudly presented the meal they created for a group picture. Excited to enjoy the food and reflect on their work, students gathered around the table, sharing conversation and fellowship.  “Witnessing the partnership of GRCC and Noorthoek Academy students within the Secchia Institute has been truly magical,” said Mary Borucki. “Being given the chance to learn in a caring environment, especially for an individual with intellectual differences, is a gift. Observing the calm and synchronized work on that first day took my breath away.” The cooking course highlighted Noorthoek Academy’s mission to create a space where students with different learning abilities can flourish. “The partnership Dr. Absenger and Lyn VanTol have brought to life in this pilot program has sparked hope and inspiration in me as a caregiver and mom that I haven’t felt in years,” Mary Borucki said. “I’m so excited for Noorthoek Academy students to have more opportunities to learn and show the community all the things they can do.” To learn more about Noorthoek Academy and how you can support their organization, visit  http://www.noorthoekacademy.org/ This story was reported by Anjula Caldwell

Dec. 12, 2025 The Grand Rapids Community College Foundation awarded $1.4 million in scholarships last year, the largest investment in the college’s history. For many students, this support removes financial obstacles and keeps them enrolled, focused and moving toward their goals. For more than 1,700 students, the moment a scholarship notification arrived was the moment college went from “maybe” to “possible.” One Application, Hundreds of Opportunities GRCC uses a streamlined process that allows students to complete a single 15-minute application, which then matches them with more than 300 available scholarships. The form is open to all students: new, returning, part-time, full-time and transfer. “Students are genuinely surprised by how simple it is,” said Riley Brooket, scholarship and event coordinator. “A couple minutes can change the entire trajectory of their education.” For many students, this simple step kept their college goals within reach. As one student shared: “It was the only way I could attend college and get a degree that wouldn’t throw me into an insurmountable amount of debt.” Support That Reaches Beyond Tuition Scholarships at GRCC help cover the everyday expenses that determine whether a student can stay in college, including textbooks, technology, transportation, groceries and program-related costs. Even with federal and state assistance, students still face more than $11,000 in unmet expenses each year. Scholarships help close that gap. “For many students, one small cost can become a breaking point,” said Mary Reed, associate director of the GRCC Foundation. “A textbook. A tank of gas, or childcare. A scholarship can help with these practical needs, giving students the support they need to stay on track.” One student explained how essential that support became, especially after years of physically demanding work that made pursuing college feel out of reach: “I had spent the last couple of years before attending GRCC in mindless, back-breaking jobs that were hardly allowing me to pay my bills and I knew I needed a change.”  A Lifeline at the Right Time Many GRCC students balance work, family responsibilities and returning to school after time away. Scholarships provide stability at critical moments, giving students the confidence and concentration to stay and follow their dreams. This support made college possible for Mark, who moved to Grand Rapids in 2020 unsure whether he could afford to pursue a degree. He was drawn to GRCC’s commitment to student success, job training and the scholarships that opened the door to an education he once thought out of reach. Now, as a soon-to-be nursing graduate, Mark is preparing to enter a vital health care career without the financial strain that once held him back. “Hearing these stories makes everything we do worth it,” Brooket said. “Students tell us all the time that the support came at exactly the moment they needed it.” The Donors Who Make It Possible Every scholarship exists because of donors, including alumni, families, community members and organizations who believe in expanding access to education. Their generosity ensures students from all backgrounds can pursue their goals with confidence. “Many donors give because someone supported them at a crucial time in their own lives,” Reed said. “They want today’s students to feel that same lift.” How to Apply Students can apply for scholarships at  grcc.edu/scholarships . The single application is open to all GRCC students, and awards are reviewed on a rolling basis. Early submission is encouraged. The process takes only minutes and the impact can be life-changing.