Founded over a cup of coffee shared between
A Veteran Met An Artist
2010
At a local Veterans event, Michael met a wounded U.S. Marine & his full-time nurse. Paralyzed from the neck down & unable to speak due to injuries suffered in Iraq, the young Marine shared his story through a special alphanumeric communication code that was translated with the aid of his nurse. Michael learned of his love of t-shirts and asked the Marine if he would like to design his own. Seeing the larger-than-life grin come across his face, Michael called Tyler to see if they could design a shirt together.
From that first t-shirt design & its powerful creative process, the HERO[series] was created: a Veteran partnered with an artist for the shared mission to tell their story through the mediums of art, design, & fashion.
Our Projects
Connecting People Through Art + Design
[HAS HEART] hit the road taking its HERO[SERIES] project across the U.S. Partnering a Veteran with a designer in every state.
Every collaboration of an artist and veteran ignites inspiration, fostering profound impact through design and connection.
The Voices project enables creative Veterans to directly share and showcase their own personal work to the public.
The [HAS HEART] Coffee Shop is more than just a coffee shop within a beautiful historic building, it has become a home base for the community. Located on the park grounds of the Grand Rapids Veterans Memorial Park, this historic building was transformed into the connector of the past and present as a conduit for conversations and relationships between veterans and civilians.
Through a partnership with the Grand Rapids Parks and Recreation, Madcap Coffee, and many others, [HAS HEART] is able to continue to fulfill its mission of bringing worlds together through art, design, and now: coffee.
Curious about what this building once looked like and was used for? Visit our “Reno Process” page to take a historic stroll back from when it was built in the 1920s and its step-by-step revitalization process into the HAS HEART Coffee Shop.
COVERAGE
2024
German Marshall Fund: “Whistlestops for Ukraine“
WoodTV8: “Attempted break-in at veteran-owned GR coffee shop“
Fox17: “HAS HEART won’t press charges after attempted break-in“
2023
WoodTV8: “23 businesses West Michigan welcomed in 2023“
Eight West [WoodTV8]: “Coffee with a mission“
Yahoo News: “New coffee shop gives back to veterans“
WoodTV8: “New coffee shop gives back to veterans“
El Informado: “Veterano y artista abren cafeteria Tiene Corazon en GR“
City of Grand Rapids: “Veteran-operated coffee shop opens at Veterans Memorial Park“
Grand Rapids Magazine: “Veteran-run coffee shop opens in downtown“
Crains Grand Rapids: “Nonprofit Grand Rapids coffee shop blends passion for veterans, art“
WoodTV8: “Veteran-run coffee shop opens in downtown Grand Rapids“
WZZM-13 ABC: “Veteran-operated coffee shop opens in historic Grand Rapids building“
MLive: “HAS HEART coffee shop opens in Grand Rapids“
FOX 17: “Coffee shop run by veterans opens in downtown Grand Rapids“
WGRD 97.9: “HAS HEART Coffee Shop supporting and employing veterans now open in Grand Rapids“
WoodTV8: “GR veteran coffee shop hopes to open next month“
WZZM-13 ABC: “New coffee shop is coming soon to Veterans Memorial Park”
WGRD 97.9: “New Coffee Shop Supporting Veterans to Open in Grand Rapids“
FOX 17: “New Grand Rapids coffee shop serving those who’ve served”
WoodTV8: “GR Veterans Memorial Park coffee shop to open in May”
2022
WoodTV8: “Nonprofit to supply coffee, understanding for veterans in GR”
WZZM-13 ABC: “Veteran non-profit revamping historic building in Downtown Grand Rapids“
Grand Rapids Magazine: “Groundbreaking HAS HEART“
WoodTV8: “Grand Rapids’ Veterans Memorial Park to get cafe supporting vets”
2021
abc WZZM-13: “West Michigan non-profit reaching $500K goal to open coffee shop for veterans, artists“
Grand Rapids Magazine: “Nonprofit nears $500K goal for veterans-focused coffee shop“
NPR Detroit WDET: “HAS HEART organization bridges the military world and civilian world through art“
CW50 Detroit: “HAS HEART Connects Veterans to the Art Scene in Detroit“
Pfeiffer Lincoln of Grand Rapids: “Building Connections Through Coffee – [HAS HEART] Coffee Shop“
2020
ABC WXYZ Detroit: “Pistons honor veterans, create t-shirt campaign with Vietnam hero”
AwareNow – Issue 10: “This Mission HAS HEART“
Fox17 WXMI: “Veterans organization working to bring coffee shop to GR“
Michigan Business Journal: “New GR coffee shop will connect veterans, artists“
2019
MuskOx Clothing: “Reconnecting the Civilian and Veteran Worlds“
Realtree: “HAS HEART: Where Veterans and Artists Unite“
ABC WZZM-13: “Cards created by kids at Children’s Museum delivered to local vets“
ABC WZZM-13: “Kids visiting the GR Children’s Museum make cards for veterans“
Airstream: “Supporting Veterans One Story at a Time“
Alpha Industries 60th Anniversary: “Everyday Heroes: Tyler Way, Co-Founder [HAS HEART]”
a little more human (podcast) episode 13: HAS HEART (Tyler Way & Kendra Clapp Olguin)
NBC-3 KSNW-TV: “Wichita veteran’s story is being shared through art“
Wichita State University: “MID student recruited for HAS HEART project to help connect artists and veterans“
2018
AIGA Vermont: “Member Spotlight – Colin Bright“
Alpha Industries News: “A Has Heart Story“
Iowa State Daily: “Bridging two worlds together“
ABC-8 KLKN-TV: “Non-profit [HAS HEART] unites veterans, artists“
CBS-10 KOLN/11 KGIN: “[HAS HEART] Project connects graphic artists with U.S. Veterans“
University of Nebraska Lincoln: “Husker Alum uses art to tell veteran’s story“
The Post and Courier: “A life story in a single image: North Charleston Vietnam veteran takes the challenge“
AIGA Portland: “Bridging the Gap Between Design & Social Causes“
Threadless: “[HAS HEART] Brings Artists and Veterans Together“
Video Jungle Podcast: “A Passion Project that [HAS HEART]“
2017
STARBUCKS Newsroom: “Veterans and artists find healing through design and apparel”
Threadless: “How to Sell T-Shirts for Charity“
NBC WoodTV8: “Shortlist entry honors fallen serviceman“
MLive: “Hero Series greeting cards in honor of veterans now sold by Michigan retailer“
SpartanNash: “[HAS HEART]“
Grocery Business: “SpartanNash Teams Up with [HAS HEART] to Support Military Veterans“
2016
FOX-2 Detroit: “Non-profit pairs U.S. vets with artists, shop open on Woodward“
ABC-13 Grand Rapids: “West Michigan organizations debut greeting cards in honor of Veterans“
Grand Rapids Business Journal: “Greetings from a creative downtown firm“
2015
Chaco: “Chaco x Fashion Has Heart“
AIGA West Michigan: “Fashion Has Heart, and so does AIGA WM“
Grand Rapids TV: “NPO Spotcase – Fashion Has Heart“
2014
NBA – Detroit Pistons: “Come Together | Wounded Warrior“
Detroit Free Press: “Pistons’ Kyle Singler helps veteran design T-shirt“
Ludington Daily News: “Fashion Has Heart matches Ludington wounded warrior Eric Lund with Detroit Piston Kyle Singler — “Victory” T-shirt now available“
FOX-17 West Michigan: “Fashion Has Heart is looking to raise $20,000“
Kendall College Art & Design: “Students Help American Heroes Share Their Stories with Design“
98.7 WFGR: “Fashion Has Heart Co-Founder Michael Hyacinthe Talks to JoJo About Helping Wounded Veterans“
FOX-17 West Michigan “‘Fashion Has Heart’ Helps Wounded Veterans“
2013
NBA – Detroit Pistons: “Come Together: Fashion Has Heart“
TEDx Talks: “Fashion Has Heart: Michael Hyacinthe at TEDxMacatawa“
Forbes Galleries: “Wounded Veterans Exhibit Original Art At Fashion Has Heart Exhibit at The Forbes Galleries“
MLive: “Wounded Warriors Unveil ArtPrize Pieces at Fashion Has Heart“
Public Media WGVU: “Newsmakers: Fashion Has Heart“
The Oakland Press: “Fashion Has Heart helps vets fulfill design dreams“
2012
NBC WoodTV-8: “Wounded vets to show Fashion Has Heart”
Stellafly: “FREEDOM: A Benefit for Our Wounded Heroes Presented by Fashion Has Heart“
Rapid Growth Media: “Fashion Has Heart for ArtPrize“
[HAS HEART] Press Releases
“Camo Craft Night at Treetops Collective – Weds August 30th“
“Donate Military Uniforms to be Repurposed by Local Veterans Organization”
“[HAS HEART] Nears Fundraising Goal to Open Coffee Shop“
“HAS HEART Coffee Shop Announcement“
“Veterans Day 2019 Release – HAS HEART“
“Nonprofit Raising $100K to Complete Nationwide Veteran Design Tour“
“Nonprofit Traveling 50 States to Give Veterans Creative Outlet“
50 State Press Releases
Press Release: “50 States: Veterans + Artists United” Project
Press Release: STATE 01: VT – “Ca-Deuces”
Press Release: STATE 02: ME – “Don’t Panic”
Press Release: STATE 03: NH – “Transform” (Available by Request)
Press Release: STATE 04: MA – “XVII”
Press Release: STATE 05: RI – “Take Flight”
Press Release: STATE 06: PA – “The Best Time” (Available by Request)
Press Release: STATE 07: CT – “Believe”
Press Release: STATE 08: NY – “Don’t Look Back”
Press Release: STATE 09: NJ – “And So It Goes” (Available by Request)
Press Release: STATE 10: MD – “Reflection”
Press Release: STATE 11: VA – “Two Tales” (Available by Request)
Press Release: STATE 12: DE – “Untold Stories” (Available by Request)
Press Release: STATE 13: NC – “Love Like This” (Available by Request)
Press Release: STATE 14: SC – “Chase” (Available by Request)
Downloads
Media Files
