by Ricardo Tavarez | Jun 18, 2026 | Uncategorized
Avrey Smith, pictured above, shares a reflection on his leadership journey. “It’s easy to imagine ourselves as the world shapers. In reality, we are only tasked with providing the tools for those we lead to shape it themselves.” The first time...
by Ricardo Tavarez | Aug 15, 2025 | Uncategorized
“What advice would you give to someone just starting out in community development or asset-based work?” Donate Today It’s Wednesday, August 6th. Evening is descending on the home base of New City Neighbors, the youth development organization I lead in...
by Ricardo Tavarez | May 1, 2025 | Uncategorized
The students are asked to take a look around them by one of their facilitators. They are asked, “What community assets do you see right here on this block?” Donate Today I’m standing on a triangular city block in the Creston neighborhood of Grand...
by Ricardo Tavarez | Mar 26, 2025 | Uncategorized
“Learning about nutrition, cooking, and food scarcity helps prepare youth for adult life and deepens their empathy. New City Neighbors, a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit, gives area teens that head start and connects them with impactful experiences.” Read...
by Ricardo Tavarez | Jan 22, 2025 | Uncategorized
“The nonprofit New City Neighbors has achieved its goal of acquiring a parcel of land in Grand Rapids’ Creston neighborhood to expand local urban farming operations.” Read the full article by Kate Carlson on Crain’s Grand Rapids....
