Our local communities are unique. They also share similar challenges and dynamics. By joining our United Ways regionally while keeping a local focus, we can deliver far more impact than ever before.

Driving Economic Success For Workers & Businesses

April 10, 2024

JACKSON – United Way of South Central Michigan is proud to serve the companies and employees of the Jackson region with JobSTAR (Support Talent and Retention). JobSTAR is a resource for employers to help employees overcome obstacles that may impede their ability to work. In this program, a Success Coach connects workers to services and…

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Kellanova Volunteers Feed Battle Creek Kids, Community Spirit

April 5, 2024

BATTLE CREEK – When it comes to community caring, Kellanova employees lead by example. About 20 Kellanova employees from Battle Creek volunteered at the South Michigan Food Bank on April 4, packing more than 1,300 food packages in less than two hours. The packages will be shared with students at Battle Creek Public Schools who…

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Kalamazoo and Jackson Expungement Fairs

March 27, 2024

Use the links below to register for the upcoming Expungement Fairs in Kalamazoo and Jackson, hosted by Nation Wide. Jackson: https://bit.ly/3vALcAE Kalamazoo: https://bit.ly/3vqcud7

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RFPs Released for Kalamazoo County

March 20, 2024

KALAMAZOO – United Way of South Central Michigan has released two Requests for Proposals for American Rescue Plan grant funding in two areas: Violence Intervention and Community Health Worker Training. Eligible organizations may apply now online. The deadline for both grant applications is May 3 at noon. Learn more about eligibility criteria, activities and timeline…

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Responding for ALICE: Mini-Grants Presented

March 14, 2024

United Way of South Central Michigan has awarded 21 mini-grants to organizations in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo that are striving to increase the number of households living above the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold.  “The opportunity to receive any funds of any kind is a blessing,” said Rhonda Ethridge of Life Cycles Bike4Life.…

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Jackson Nonprofits Join JobSTAR Cohorts

March 13, 2024

JACKSON – Federal funds have made it possible for eight Jackson-area nonprofits to join JobSTAR, the business resource network led by UWSCMI. Launched in 2018, JobSTAR (Support, Talent And Retention) embeds Success Coaches Scott Walker and Kristy Warner at participating organizations, connecting employees to services and support programs so they can get beyond barriers to…

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ALICE Threshold: A New Standard for Policy

February 26, 2024

NEW ORLEANS – A trip to the “Birthplace of Jazz” brought together more than 575 individuals from across the country earlier this month to discuss one centralized topic that has been a pillar of United Way work for years: ALICE. ALICE is an acronym that stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.” These are hard-working…

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Alyssa Stewart Reflects On UW Career

February 23, 2024

After a decade as a driving force in United Way’s work, Alyssa Stewart is moving on to a new challenge – but she is still a United Way champion. Stewart, who has been UWSCMI’s Executive Impact Officer, is joining the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, where she will direct impact activities, grantmaking and scholarships. It’s a role…

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Data for Difference: The 2024 Kalamazoo Point-in-Time Count

January 30, 2024

KALAMAZOO- More than 20 volunteers fanned out across Kalamazoo County to participate in the unsheltered portion of the 2024 Kalamazoo Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. The PIT Count, organized by United Way of South Central Michigan’s Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care program, is a literal count of all the people experiencing homelessness in our community on a…

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Nominations Open for Capital Area Volunteer of the Year

January 17, 2024

Annually, the United Way of South Central Michigan-Capital Area Volunteer Center recognizes community volunteers for their significant impact on nonprofits in the Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties through their gifts of time and talent. These awards recognize individuals who provide valuable volunteerism to our community through their dedication and hard work, making a difference in…

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