United Way Kicks Off 2024 Campaign

As United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) kicks off its annual fundraising campaign, it’s not doing so alone. Local partner organizations are adding their voices to UWSCMI’s “We Show Up” campaign, highlighting how the relationship benefits their work and the community as a whole.  “What does it take to tackle the toughest issues in…

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Recapping Our 21-Day Disability Equity Challenge

For 21 days within the month of August, United Way of South Central Michigan, in partnership with Disability Network of Southwest Michigan, hosted their 21-Day Disability Equity Challenge.  This virtual challenge provided one email per day with various topics, exploring disability from a position of equity and pride. It’s designed to raise awareness, increase understanding,…

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VITA: Tax Services With Purpose

Thousands of households in our region received more than $7 million in tax refunds and saved thousands in preparation fees through United Way of South Central Michigan’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program this past year. VITA is a volunteer-focused tax service dedicated to making a meaningful impact on individuals and families with limited incomes…

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Workers in Common Low-Wage Jobs Worse Off Than 10 Years Ago

Some low-wage workers are financially worse off today than a decade ago despite recent wage gains, according to a new report from United Way of South Central Michigan and its research partner United For ALICE. Recent wage increases for low-wage jobs have been no match for the surging cost of essentials and a decade of…

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Juneteenth 2024 in UWSCMI

We all know what July 4 means to this country, but did you know about our nation’s other day of independence? On June 19, 1865, institutionalized slavery of Black Americans was ended in Texas, the last state where it remained in practice, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. That date is now known…

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The Kalamazoo Community Foundation and United Way of South Central Michigan Partner in Support of Tornado Relief Efforts

Kalamazoo, Mich. – United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) will join Kalamazoo County emergency response teams in providing support to those affected by the May 7 tornadoes via joint crisis funding. These emergency grants, distributed through UWSCMI’s Disaster Relief Fund and KZCF’s Community Urgent Relief Fund, will be…

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The 2023/24 Volunteer of the Year Awards

LANSING – April brought National Volunteer Month, and United Way of South Central Michigan, in partnership with Fox 47 News and WLNS TV6 celebrated with the 2023 Capital Area Volunteer of the Year Awards.  Nominees, nominators, and community members gathered April 24 at the Marshall Street Armory in Lansing to watch a previously recorded video…

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Driving Economic Success For Workers & Businesses

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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Kalamazoo and Jackson Expungement Fairs

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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Responding for ALICE: Mini-Grants Presented

picture shows 2 cities of battle creek and kalamazoo, recipients of the ALICE mini grants fill the bottom

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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