BC/Kzoo
Talking about ALICE
Let’s talk about ALICE. Let’s talk about what it means to be Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. Let’s talk about the challenges faced by 4 in 10 households in our region—hard-working households that still struggle to make ends meet. Let’s talk about the difficulty they face in trying to better their lives when 61%…
Read More5 Ways to Grow Passionate Readers
Learning to read is a big milestone in a young student’s life, and an important one. In fact, United Way has identified early grade reaching achievement as a key strategy in improving graduation rates and fostering success in academics and beyond. Schools and other educational programming will always be a big part of that strategy,…
Read MoreCareer Life Expo Shines in Year Two
Employers, nonprofits and jobseekers found the tagline for the Career Life Expo rang true: It’s more than a job fair.
Read MoreStill Struggling: ALICE Report Shows 40% at Risk Financially
Four of every 10 households in the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo region are either in poverty or barely getting by financially, a new report on Michigan’s working families reveals. The Michigan Association of United Ways (MAUW) has released a study on the condition of Michigan’s working families, which it has dubbed ALICE households—those that are…
Read MoreCareer Life Expo Nears; Volunteers Sought
The Career Life Expo brings many opportunities for people looking for work and for people looking to volunteer. The Career Life Expo takes place Tuesday, March 26, 12 noon to 5 p.m., at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 2900 Lake Street. Employers from the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo region will be there to conduct interviews…
Read MorePeriod Poverty Spurs New Program at Charitable Union
“Period poverty exists when a woman cannot access the necessary hygiene products needed during menstruation,” said Teresa Allen, Executive Director at Charitable Union. “The national data shows that 1 in 5 low-income women struggle to leave their homes during menstruation. We had no idea.”
Read More4-Star Rating Puts UWBCKR in Top 2% Nationally
For the ninth consecutive year, Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest evaluator of charitable agencies, awarded United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region its coveted 4-Star rating. Only 2 percent of charities evaluated nationwide by Charity Navigator have achieved this mark nine times running. Charity Navigator rates nonprofits in two areas of performance: financial…
Read MoreSTAR Awards, B.C. Community Volunteer Awards To Merge
The tradition of celebrating volunteerism in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo will continue, with some exciting changes.
Read MoreJobs, Homes and Financial Stability: See What Our Income Quarter is All About
When more than 530 jobseekers walked into United Way’s Career Life Expo last February, they found 83 employers ready to talk about job opportunities. But day to day, many people can’t pursue such opportunities because of barriers such as lack of identification, incomplete education, lack of housing and no transportation. That’s why the Expo also…
Read MoreFamily Health Center Employee Wins Sweepstakes Car
When Mary Lewis received her hard-earned bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University last Saturday, she thought that would be the highlight of her month. Turns out she has two great things to celebrate. Lewis, Practice Director at Family Health Center (FHC), is this year’s United Way Sweepstakes automobile winner. She was chosen at random from…
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