BC/Kzoo
100,000 Meals in Two Hours? That's United Against Hunger!
Nearly 400 volunteers will soon don hairnets and wield measuring scoops to package 100,000 ready-to-cook meals in less time than it takes to watch a movie. United Way’s second annual United Against Hunger, in partnership with presenting sponsor Kellogg’s, aims to package 100,000 meal kits to combat hunger in our regional community. The event, set…
Read MoreCadillacs Draw 1,000 to Benefit United Way
A portion of the proceeds from this year’s Cadillac Fall Festival are going to support the impact work of United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. The Cadillac Fall Festival & Concours d’Elegance featured 110 examples of a classic American car during a three-day celebration in September at the Gilmore Car Museum. More…
Read MoreLeading the Dialogue on Homelessness
United Way has been working to help our community tackle an issue that’s been highly visible recently: homelessness. The visibility comes from a protest in Kalamazoo. Homeless individuals and advocates camped in a city park to promote awareness and action. That protest, which began Aug. 19, ended on Sept. 19 when police cleared the park.…
Read MoreService From The Inside
Getting close to the work of United Way and our partners is eye-opening. Guest blog by Jeremy Hermann Basic needs. It’s something that I’ve heard a lot of nonprofits talk about when discussing homelessness. We’ve seen it on posters, flyers and United Way brochures. For individuals experiencing homelessness in the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek region,…
Read More#LetsLiveUnited Unifies Campaign Kickoffs
Don’t be surprised if you see United Way everywhere you look this week. Dozens of United Ways across Michigan, including United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, have joined forces to share local successes and invite the entire state to get involved in making a difference. This week’s unified kickoff will show up…
Read MoreAdvocacy Academy is More Than a Resume Builder
A first job is a big milestone in life. For a person with a disability, it can be loaded with barriers. Advocacy Academy, an 8-week paid summer internship program through Disability Network Southwest Michigan, offers people a way to gain employment skills and minimize those barriers. They learn by planning and implementing a disability advocacy…
Read MoreTaking You on a Journey United
A new video travels alongside local people whose stories have been changed through United Way. Titled “Journeys United,” this powerful 3-minute production features residents Melrose, Tawana and Alejandro sharing their personal stories. Through tough times, each found the strength and opportunity to build a better life through programs made possible by United Way BCKR donors.…
Read MoreMaking Mentoring Child's Play
Sometimes volunteering in the community can be child’s play. by Sara Coppo, Guest Blogger Eva De La Cruz is a busy Kalamazoo Christian High School senior who spends most of her time volunteering, playing tennis, coaching volleyball and helping out with musicals. But one of the most rewarding parts of her week, she says, is…
Read MoreCadillac Fest to Fete United Way
The Cadillac Fall Festival & Concours d’Elegance will commemorate a respected automobile brand while highlighting United Way. The Cadillac Fall Festival is a celebration of Cadillacs from the beginning in 1903 to 2018. Long revered for its technical excellence, Cadillac has long been the ultimate symbol of innovation and success. Cadillac models featured range from…
Read More4-Star Rating Puts UWBCKR Among Nation's Elite
Charity Navigator awarded United Way BCKR its coveted 4-Star rating for the eighth year in a row. Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest evaluator of charitable agencies, rates nonprofits in two areas of performance: financial health; and accountability and transparency. This helps donors know how efficiently a charitable organization uses their support, how well it sustains…
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