Income
UWBCKR's Elchert Earns Statewide Honor
Unwavering commitment to helping the homeless has earned a statewide award for a United Way BCKR staff member. The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH) has named Robert Elchert, Community Impact Associate for United Way BCKR, as its 2018 Public Policy Champion. MCAH, a statewide, nonprofit membership organization addressing homelessness and affordable housing, awards the Public…
Read MoreAlejandro's Story
Finding purpose Alejandro is well-spoken and talkative, but at times he simply doesn’t have the words to describe how much his life has changed. Five years ago, he was in a jail cell, serving time for a drug offense. Today, he’s flourishing with a new job, positive influences in his life, and the capacity to…
Read MoreEducation and Employment Go Hand In Hand At Y.O.U.
There’s a common misconception that today’s teenagers aren’t interested in jobs, said Karen Carlisle, Director of Youth Opportunities Unlimited (Y.O.U.) in Kalamazoo. The hundreds of applications that flood Y.O.U’s MyCITY summer youth employment program each year, however, tell a different story. “So often, we hear today that young people just don’t want to work,” Carlisle…
Read MoreImproving Homes, Improving Lives
[su_label type=”info”]Agency Spotlight[/su_label] A morning news report about free furnaces prompted Paul and Sharon to check out Community Homeworks. They’re glad they did. They found that, based on their fixed income, they qualified to receive a new furnace. Paul and Sharon also discovered what hundreds of the nonprofit’s clients experience each year – more money…
Read MoreVolunteer Income Tax Assistance Lifts Families, Local Economy
Joan Miller was hesitant when the Internal Revenue Service first approached her workplace looking for tax preparation volunteers. “Taxes were something I never had a desire to do, because I really did not have any confidence in my ability,” said Miller, Marketing and Communications Manager at BlueOx Credit Union. “But, there was a need.” The…
Read MoreJeff's Story
Navigating Benefits, Planning for the Future Jeff’s story begins, literally, all in his head. Years ago, he underwent surgery to remove a tumor in his brain. A decade later, he sustained a second traumatic brain injury from a fall. Both events left Jeff finding it hard to hold a job in his field of finance.…
Read More3 Ways to Live United in March
Want to make a difference in your community? Here are three ways you can join us this month to explore some of the issues facing local residents and learn how you can help: Make an Instant Impact If you haven’t attended one of our Pop Up Giving events yet, this is a great month to…
Read MoreCareer Life Expo Draws Hundreds of Jobseekers
More than 530 people who turned up at Wings Event Center for the Career Life Expo discovered much more than a job fair. They discovered hope. Eighty-three employers and more than 25 community resource organizations served a diverse and steady stream of people looking at hundreds of positions and receiving assistance with employment barriers such…
Read MoreSee Who You'll Find at the Career Life Expo
Tomorrow’s the day! Dozens of area employers and community service organizations are preparing to assist and connect with jobseekers at the Career Life Expo. The action takes place at Wings Event Center beginning at noon for those with disabilities or who have served in the armed forces. All jobseekers will be welcomed in from 1-4…
Read MoreExpo Lines Up Employers, Service Agencies
With less than one week to go to the Career Life Expo, interest is growing! As of today there are 67 area employers and 28 service organizations signed up to work with the hundreds of jobseekers expected at the event, with more added daily. The Career Life Expo takes place Tuesday, Feb. 20, 12 noon…
Read More