Income
New ALICE Report Shows Pandemic Impact in Region
While aid programs during the COVID-19 pandemic likely eased financial stress on many households, the risk of more families struggling is rising, according to a new report on financial hardship in Michigan. ALICE in the Crosscurrents: COVID and Financial Hardship, released today by Michigan’s United Way network and the research organization United For ALICE, shows…
Read MoreTime For Taxes! VITA Offers Free Tax Prep
Doing tax returns isn’t usually much fun. For households that can’t afford to hire an expert, it can be a missed opportunity to get the full refund they’re owed. That’s where United Way of South Central Michigan’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program can make a vital difference. VITA provides free tax preparation to low- and…
Read MoreStabenow Support Lifts ALICE Initiative
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) successfully championed a $257,000 federal budget appropriation to support UWSCMI’s workplace initiative sustaining ALICE employees. United for ALICE@Work in Michigan is a business education and certification effort to help small- and medium-sized businesses better understand the needs of low-wage workers below the ALICE threshold. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained…
Read MoreFind Jobs, Support and Coaching at Career Life Expo
When it comes to the Career Life Expo, “more than a job fair” is more than just a catchy tagline.
Read More
Year in Review:
Pop Up Giving
Did you attend a Pop Up Giving this year? If so, you know that they are eye-opening, impactful, and always involve good eats. We hope you also know that you made a difference. Pop Up Giving popped up four times this year, and between donations from attendees, match sponsors and event sponsors, we were able…
Read MoreCall to Advocate: Another SNAP Change Will Create More Hungry Families
While some may raise concerns about how SNAP is administered, kicking millions of people out of the program isn’t the answer. It will hurt struggling families, especially the older adults and children.
Read MoreUWBCKR Joins Call to Increase Earned Income Tax Credit
United Way joined organizations from across Kalamazoo County urging state legislators to support Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s proposal to double Michigan’s Earned Income Tax Credit, an important support for low-income families. The coalition called on lawmakers to show bipartisan support for the proposal to double the EITC from 6% to 12%, which according to a…
Read MoreInvesting for Impact: $6.24 Million in UWBCKR Grants Drives Change
Childhood trauma, infant health, stable housing and food insecurity are among 110 area programs receiving a total of $6,247,821 in grants from United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. Sixty programs will receive a total of $3,718,401 in strategic grants annually for three years, according to Alyssa Stewart, Vice President of Impact &…
Read MoreGrants available for Census 2020 push
United Way is taking the lead in Kalamazoo County, working as part of a statewide effort spearheaded by the Michigan Nonprofit Association to mobilize local nonprofits in encouraging census participation among hard-to-count populations.
Read MoreTalking 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 More