Archive for July 2018
From the Flood, Tales of Hope
The Kalamazoo Flood Relief Fund raised more than $375,000 to help victims of the historic 2018 flood. by Andrea Opalewski, Guest Blogger As we enjoy the summer sunshine and warmer temperatures, it’s hard to believe that a historic flood deluged Kalamazoo a little more than five months ago. But for many people, it’s like it…
Read MoreSaving Babies, Changing Lives
There are days when Kaye Sanders realizes she’s been holding her breath from the moment she woke up. As the Recovery House Coordinator for Community Healing Centers’ Women’s Specialty Program, Sanders and her team walk beside women working to rebuild lives and families while battling addiction. Many of them – particularly those who reside at…
Read MoreNew Report Details Impact; New Grants Drive Progress
A new report from United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region shows progress on long-term community goals, while new, three-year strategic grants totaling $6,567,096 will build momentum toward reaching those goals. Chris Sargent, President and CEO, said this is the organization’s first-ever report focused specifically on United Way investments, partnerships and engagement strategies.…
Read MoreCreating A Better Future For At-Risk Teens
WE LIVE UNITED by helping troubled teens realize their full potential. When we are able to identify and support at-risk youth early, we can prevent further delinquent behavior. We want to increase their chances of graduating so they can be prepared for life after high school. If not for your support, many of these kids…
Read MoreHelp Us Collect 10,000 Books for Kids!
Children who read well tend to succeed in school. In that light, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region is leading an effort to collect 10,000 donated new or gently used children’s books and get them in the hands of kids across the region. According to Matt Lynn, Vice President for Community Impact…
Read MoreOne Well Brewing Gathers People for Impact
When people come together great things can happen. By Sara Coppo, Guest Blogger This blog is part of a series on businesses partnering with United Way to #ChangeTheStory. When people come together, great things can happen. That makes gathering places like One Well Brewing important to a community. “One Well is a place where people…
Read MorePartnership Tackles Racial Disparities
When it comes to racial equity, our regional community can do better. By Sara Coppo, Guest Blogger “Whether it’s education, whether it’s income, whether it’s health, families of color line up behind at all times.” As CEO of YWCA Kalamazoo, an organization that has been active in the community for 130 years, Dr. Grace Lubwama…
Read MoreImproving The Quality Of Life For Struggling Families
WE LIVE UNITED by improving the quality of life for families and individuals of our community who are living at or near poverty. Your UWJC support helps to feed thousands of people across Jackson County through the Fresh Food Initiative operated by the Food Bank of South Central Michigan. Throughout the summer months, this program…
Read MoreSee What's Ahead in the Education Quarter
Last fall, United Way volunteers visited elementary schools in Battle Creek and Comstock to read and deliver books as part of the 2017 UW Book Drive. The students were excited to listen to stories, and afterward they spread the donated books on the gym floor, eager to choose one to take home. These were a…
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