Posts by Mitch Wilfer
Support in Later Years: Jackson Guardian Program
JACKSON – As people age, they can face a lot of health issues that leave them unable to care for themselves. United Way partners with Family Service & Children’s Aid on the Jackson Guardian program, helping older adults feel safe and fulfilled in the twilight of life. “Abel” is one of those older adults. In…
Read MoreA Night of Volunteerism: The 2022 VOTY Awards
LANSING – April was National Volunteer Month, and United Way of South Central Michigan, in partnership with Fox 47 News, celebrated with the 2023 Capital Area Volunteer of the Year Awards. Nominees, nominators and community members gathered April 19 at the Marshall Street Armory in Lansing to watch a previously recorded video celebrating volunteers in…
Read MoreFrom Despair to Stability: Catholic Charities
JACKSON – Becoming financially stable is key to a successful life. But that’s not the only stability that matters. Finding emotional stability through mental health is just as crucial. That’s why United Way of South Central Michigan is pleased to work with Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties on a voucher program that…
Read MoreAdvocacy Brings Impact: AWARE Shelter
JACKSON – Our partnership with AWARE Inc. promotes social change by empowering survivors of domestic and sexual violence. That work includes helping survivors who face financial challenges. Here’s an example: A survivor staying in AWARE’s Jackson shelter received a housing choice voucher for subsidized housing. She successfully located an apartment with the help of AWARE. …
Read MoreSeeding Leaders Grants: Blossoming a Second Cohort of Nonprofit Leadership
United Way of South Central Michigan has awarded $2,500 mini-grants to its second cohort of 10 local Kalamazoo & Battle Creek leaders as a part of its program, Seeding Leaders. These grants are intended to support the wellness, leadership, and professional development of nonprofit leaders and primarily focused on leaders who identify as BIPOC (Black,…
Read More2023 B.E.T.A Graduation Ceremony
KALAMAZOO – The 2023 Black Entrepreneur Training Academy (BETA) Graduation Ceremony, held Feb. 8, celebrated the end of training for 14 new graduates of the Black Entrepreneur Training Program, a joint effort by Black Wall Street Kalamazoo and Sisters in Business. This effort was funded in part through the City of Kalamazoo ARPA dollars, and…
Read MoreCelebrating Black History Month at UWSCMI
Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. February commemorates the impactful Black leaders of our past and shines a spotlight on our everyday…
Read MoreMartin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: 2023
In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, designating the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as such. The MLK Day of Service calls for Americans…
Read MoreKalamazoo Micro-Enterprise Grants: Fall 2022 Recipients Announced
KALAMAZOO- The fall 2022 round of the Kalamazoo Micro-Enterprise Grants (KMEG) program has come to a close, and United Way of South Central Michigan has announced 60 new recipients. KMEG, one of three United Way small business programs, provides $5,000 grants to eligible businesses within the city of Kalamazoo and is designed to bring…
Read MoreImpact Week In Review, and a Message From Alyssa Stewart
Impact Week has come to a close at United Way of South Central Michigan, and we’re glad you joined us! Please take a moment to hear a message from our Chief Impact Officer, Alyssa Stewart. Last week, we highlighted the ways in which UWSCMI is looking to ALICE data to drive our investments, partnerships, and programs.…
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