Community InitiativesOctober 15
EV Construction Supports New Grand Rapids Children's Museum Exhibit
The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and i understand are excited to announce the opening of the i understand Kimberly Mutch Bergner Mental Wellness Exhibit, Weathering Emotions. Weathering Emotions focuses on mental wellness while learning about weather, and focusing on the importance of providing youth and families the resources they need to “weather life’s storms”.
The exhibit features the voice of Ginger Zee, Chief Meteorologist and Chief Climate Correspondent at ABC News. Ginger is an accomplished meteorologist, author, mental health advocate, and Honorary Board Member for i understand. Beyond lending her voice, Ginger also shared her expertise on weather, the importance of clouds, and learning how to breathe through life’s storms. Ginger was instrumental in the design inspiration for many of the exhibit elements, but especially the Mindful Movement exhibit piece, as guests learn about weather while practicing mindful movements and breathing while guided by Ginger’s voice.
“Weathering the storm and weathering emotions come together in a meaningful way at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum on October 4th as we introduce the i understand Kimberly Mutch Bergner Mental Wellness Exhibit, Weathering Emotions. This project came together as we recognized the importance of providing children with ways to understand their own emotions, whether they are feeling sunny or feeling stormy, Ginger Zee lends her voice and expertise in pairing weather and emotions.” Vonnie Woodrick, Founder, i understand.
This new exhibit was imagined and created through a partnership between the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum and i understand that began in 2023. The exhibit was designed and developed by project partners CARNEVALE and fabricated by Meta4Mat with support from EV Construction and Apexx Electric. This interactive mental wellness exhibit is designed to provide hands-on experiences through immersive technology and open-ended play.
“The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum recognizes the critical importance of providing children and their families with spaces to play and learn together. We are so honored to be able to facilitate an experience for families to talk about their emotions while honoring the memory of Kimberly Mutch Bergner. We are grateful for the incredible expertise of all of our thought partners who have helped us design and build such an amazing exhibit.” Erin Crison, COO and CFO of the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum.
This exhibit was made possible through donations to i understand and the Kimberly Mutch Bergner Memorial Fund, to honor and remember Kimberly who lost her battle with postpartum depression.
About the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum
The Grand Rapids Children’s Museum is open to the public during the school year on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from 9am-4pm, Thursday from 9am-7pm, and Sunday from noon-4pm. Regular admission is $12.00 per person and $11.00 for ages 65+. Admission for teachers, healthcare and frontline workers, and active military members is $10.00. During the summer (June 1-August 30), the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9am-4pm and Sunday from 11am-4pm. Through Museums for All, admission for EBT and WIC cardholders is $1.75 per person for up to 12 people per card. GRCM members and children under 1 are free! GRCM is a non-profit organization located at 11 Sheldon Avenue NE in downtown Grand Rapids. For more information and daily schedule of programming and events, please visit grcm.org.
About i understand
i understand is a non-profit 501c3 organization that offers compassionate comfort, hope, and understanding to those who are living with a mental/brain health illness or who have lost a loved one to suicide. We believe that talking saves lives and positive communication between each other is crucial to positive mental wellness. A passion of ours is bringing the conversation to everyday places to normalize the conversation to reduce stigma and judgement associated, in turn changing and saving lives.
