Special Tribute to our Volunteers

Each semester, dozens of college students from our local universities, including Calvin, Aquinas, and Grand Valley, donate their time to help the programs at both the Cook Arts Center and the Cook Library Center. These wonderful young people help with everything from homework help and class set up, to picking up students from our local elementary schools and walking them safely to our facilities.

These students are often looking to fulfill a volunteer requirement for their classes, but we are always delighted that they have chosen to spend that time working with the children of the Grandville Avenue neighborhood. The children who visit our facilities know them by name and are quick to greet them.

Noelle, a volunteer at the Arts Center, said yesterday “I get so attached to the kids. I’m so sad when they won’t be in Ms. Sue’s [Drawing for Kids] class next session.” Though Noelle is studying abroad for the month of January during the upcoming Art Center classes, she looks forward to coming back and volunteering again, and we look forward to the stories and experiences she can share with our students from her time in China.

Thank you, volunteers!

Cook Arts Center visits the new Helen DeVos Children's Hospital

On November 4, the Cook Arts Center visited the new Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. Earlier this year, a few of the Cook Arts Center pottery students worked with our pottery student manager, Madeline Kaczmarczyk to create three 3D-mosaic fish to display. We hope the pieces bring joy to the children and families who visit the facility!

The fish are located on C-level in the emergency room waiting area. Two are over the drinking fountains and the other is located under a clock.

Cook Library Center Student of the Week

The Cook Library Center Student of the week is Vicente!

Vicente comes to the library every day. His study habits are increasingly improving as he finishes his homework, reads a book in English and Spanish, plays a game and then works on his multiplication and typing skills on the computer by playing a game.

We are proud of you Vicente!

Calvin College Service Auction

This November, the students of Calvin College's Boer-Bennink Hall sponsored a service auction for the Cook Library Center. Students bid on services such as having their bathrooms cleaned or dinner made by residents of Boer-Bennink Hall. When certain dollar amounts were reached, students could choose a person to get a pie in the face!

Boer-Bennink Hall students come to the library twice a week and provide homework help and friendship to our students. The proceeds support the after-school programs at the library.

New Website Launched!

The new Grandville Avenue Arts & Humanities website was launched today!

www.gaah.org

Check it out for information, the most up-to-date calendar of events, class schedules, and other information about Cook Arts and Cook Library Centers.