Jackson County
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 MoreChild Care Strengthens Family: Child Care Network
JACKSON – One of the biggest expenses for families, regardless of income level, is child care. When finances are tight, that expense becomes much harder to bear. So imagine how tough that is when a series of unexpected events pushes your family over a financial cliff. That’s the challenge faced by “Sally” and “Robert.” Both…
Read MoreCelebrating Our 1st Birthday
President & CEO Chris Sargent reflects on our progress as we note the one-year anniversary of the merger that created United Way of South Central Michigan. “The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.” Mark Twain said that to poke fun at April Fools’…
Read MoreUWSCMI Earns Top Merger Award
The merger that created United Way of South Central Michigan has been named the nonprofit M&A Deal of the Year by MiBiz Magazine. UWSCMI will be recognized at an award ceremony this week. UWSCMI will join winners from 12 business sectors and five individual categories being honored on Wednesday in Grand Rapids. In an interview…
Read MoreFEMA Grants Available; $460K To Tackle Hunger, Homelessness
United Way of South Central Michigan has been awarded $460,437 in federal funds to support local food and shelter assistance programs. The emergency funding is provided through the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program (EFSP), administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The federal program is directing $187,860 for…
Read MoreBethany Stutzman Named to Lead Jackson Role
JACKSON – Bethany Stutzman has been named Senior Director of Community Impact for UWSCMI. The long-time Jackson resident will also serve as site leader at UWSCMI’s Jackson office. Stutzman previously served as Director of Community Impact, overseeing United Way’s impact work in Jackson County. She joined United Way of Jackson County in 2005, where her…
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 More‘Grateful and Humble’: COO Ken Toll Moving On
After more than two decades of United Way service, Chief Operations Officer Ken Toll is moving on. “Bringing together our three United Ways into the United Way of South Central Michigan has gone better than I could have hoped,” said Toll. “ We have a really strong team in place.” So strong, in fact, that…
Read MoreIMPACT! Defending the Most Vulnerable
When vulnerable people in our community face legal worries, they can’t count on winning the day like an episode of “Law & Order.” They need experts to defend their rights. Legal Services of South Central Michigan (LSSCM) is a United Way partner agency striving to make sure every person can tap legal assistance when needed,…
Read MoreIMPACT! Inspiring Life and Advocacy
The Jackson Chapter of Nation Outside helps formerly incarcerated citizens reconnect with life, employment and community. We partner with them to support the Michigan Center for Youth Justice. The story that follows shows how working together helps families and inspires advocates: Nation Outside met a young pregnant woman who was struggling with maintaining rent and…
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