BC/Kzoo
Two Days Left to Give Books!
Books have been piling up in our United Way offices and at partner locations across the region, but the United Way Book Drive is not over yet! There’s plenty of time to contribute. Until August 15, we are collecting new and gently used children’s books for students ages K-3rd grade, with a goal of getting…
Read More#AreYouALU? Three Reasons to Aspire
Aspiring Leaders United connects young professionals. by Sara Coppo, Guest Blogger Hard-working professionals struggle to find time for networking, socializing and helping the community. Good news: Aspiring Leaders United offers a solution. ALU, an affinity group of United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, brings together leaders under the age of 45 to…
Read MoreVolunteer Awards Honor Best of Battle Creek
The power of volunteerism gained the spotlight at the 2018 Community Volunteer Awards ceremony held July 26 in downtown Battle Creek. Seven awards – five individual awards and two group honors – were handed out during the event, which was held at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation headquarters. The awards are held each year by United…
Read MoreFrom the Flood, Tales of Hope
The Kalamazoo Flood Relief Fund raised more than $375,000 to help victims of the historic 2018 flood. by Andrea Opalewski, Guest Blogger As we enjoy the summer sunshine and warmer temperatures, it’s hard to believe that a historic flood deluged Kalamazoo a little more than five months ago. But for many people, it’s like it…
Read MoreSaving Babies, Changing Lives
There are days when Kaye Sanders realizes she’s been holding her breath from the moment she woke up. As the Recovery House Coordinator for Community Healing Centers’ Women’s Specialty Program, Sanders and her team walk beside women working to rebuild lives and families while battling addiction. Many of them – particularly those who reside at…
Read MoreNew Report Details Impact; New Grants Drive Progress
A new report from United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region shows progress on long-term community goals, while new, three-year strategic grants totaling $6,567,096 will build momentum toward reaching those goals. Chris Sargent, President and CEO, said this is the organization’s first-ever report focused specifically on United Way investments, partnerships and engagement strategies.…
Read MoreHelp Us Collect 10,000 Books for Kids!
Children who read well tend to succeed in school. In that light, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region is leading an effort to collect 10,000 donated new or gently used children’s books and get them in the hands of kids across the region. According to Matt Lynn, Vice President for Community Impact…
Read MoreOne Well Brewing Gathers People for Impact
When people come together great things can happen. By Sara Coppo, Guest Blogger This blog is part of a series on businesses partnering with United Way to #ChangeTheStory. When people come together, great things can happen. That makes gathering places like One Well Brewing important to a community. “One Well is a place where people…
Read MorePartnership Tackles Racial Disparities
When it comes to racial equity, our regional community can do better. By Sara Coppo, Guest Blogger “Whether it’s education, whether it’s income, whether it’s health, families of color line up behind at all times.” As CEO of YWCA Kalamazoo, an organization that has been active in the community for 130 years, Dr. Grace Lubwama…
Read MoreSee What's Ahead in the Education Quarter
Last fall, United Way volunteers visited elementary schools in Battle Creek and Comstock to read and deliver books as part of the 2017 UW Book Drive. The students were excited to listen to stories, and afterward they spread the donated books on the gym floor, eager to choose one to take home. These were a…
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