Kellanova Volunteers Feed Battle Creek Kids, Community Spirit

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

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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Alyssa Stewart Reflects On UW Career

Alyssa Stewart sits in a chair and smiles.

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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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and Celebration: 2024

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…

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‘Superpower’ Kellanova Wins Social Impact Award

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer with Steve Cahillane, Chairman, President & CEO of Kellanova

DETROIT- Many gathered at the Fox Theater the night of Nov. 28 as Steve Cahillane, Chairman, President & CEO of Kellanova (formerly known as Kellogg Co.) received the Corporate Social Impact Leader Award. The award comes in part from their strong engagement with United Way of South Central Michigan, a relationship that spans decades. “When…

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Take the LGBTQIA+ Equity Challenge

The text 21-Day LGBTQIA+ Challenge, on a pride flag backdrop.

United Way of South Central Michigan is partnering with OutFront Kalamazoo to offer a 21-Day LGBTQIA+ Equity Challenge as an opportunity for our communities to learn, come together and break down the systems and biases that keep many people from living a flourishing, equitable life. You will receive one email a day throughout the month…

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RFP: Community Violence Intervention Grants

Text on banner reads: RFP, Community Violence Intervention Grants

KALAMAZOO – United Way of South Central Michigan is now accepting applications for Phase 2 of the Community Violence Intervention grant process.  Kalamazoo city commissioners approved the allocation from Community Violence Prevention ARPA State and Local Fiscal Relief funds earlier this month. Programs operated by 501c(3) organizations that align with city priorities are eligible to…

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Perspective: Recovery Tide Isn’t Lifting All Boats

Editor’s Note: On this Labor Day, President & CEO Chris Sargent offers insights on the economic struggles of ALICE households – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Sadly, there are two starkly different economic realities in America. There’s one in which middle- and high-wage workers saw savings and wealth increase throughout the pandemic. And there’s another…

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Catching the Dream: A Name That Speaks for Itself

Since 2021, Catching the Dream Learning Center has been providing educational services to Burmese American children ages 0-5 as they begin their educational journey in a new land. Founded by a passionate group of Burmese Americans, Catching the Dream looks to provide a new opportunity to receive education and participate in the community as equals.…

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