Uncategorized
Day 5: What is Unearned Advantage?
“For those of us called white, whiteness simply is. Whiteness becomes, for us, the unspoken, uninterrogated norm, taken for granted, much as water can be taken for granted by a fish.” ― Tim Wise, White Like Me How do you explain what the air around you feels like on a still day? How might a…
Read MoreDay 2: Racial Socialization
[Overall large blue rectangle with bold text on the left that reads: “21-Day Racial Equity Challenge”, with the United Way of South Central Michigan logo above. At right are colorful interconnecting shapes.] Racial Socialization Socialization is a process we all go through – it’s how we develop values, habits, and attitudes and learn to understand…
Read MoreKristie May’s article series exploring gun violence in Kalamazoo earns award nomination
KALAMAZOO — A powerful series of articles on gun violence has raised community awareness, prompted collaboration and earned a reporter a prestigious journalism award nomination. UWSCMI is one of six community organizations that nominated journalist Kristie May of NowKalamazoo for the Hillman Prize for Journalism. May’s year-long series, “Beyond Bullets,” explored the root causes, consequences…
Read MoreDay 1: How do you think about your racial and social identity?
DAY 1: How do you think about your racial and social identity? “There’s no agony like bearing an untold story inside you.” – Zora Neale Hurston Each and every one of us has a race and our experience of race shapes our lives and shapes our relationships with each other. For some of us, race…
Read MoreUnderstanding Racial Equity: A Free 21-Day Learning Journey
The term “racial equity” shows up a lot these days. In news stories and social media posts. On T-shirts and handheld signs. In conversations, both polite and confrontational. But how many of us understand what it actually means? The 21-Day Racial Equity Challenge offers a free, engaging way to learn. The Challenge invites you to…
Read MoreThree Years of Seeding Health Funding Yields Positive Results for Battle Creek Nonprofits
BATTLE CREEK — Seeds of funding planted during the global pandemic yielded a harvest of accessible health care for nonprofit workers within the city limits. In partnership with the City of Battle Creek, UWSCMI administered $500,000 of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) COVID-19 relief funding from 2022- 2024. Known as Seeding Health grants, the federal…
Read MoreUWSCMI among recipients of Consumers Energy’s $5 million gift
JACKSON – On the heels of last month’s cold snap, Consumers Energy is pledging $5 million in contributions to Michigan nonprofits – including United Way of South Central Michigan – to help at-risk customers pay their heating bills starting in February. “Consumers Energy is proud to lend a hand to households who need help this…
Read More2025 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service: Celebrations and Volunteerism
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, observed each year on the third Monday of January, is both a day to reflect on the profound impact Dr. King had on civil rights and social justice, and also a day to put his values into action. Known as a “Day of Service,” this is an opportunity for individuals…
Read MoreUnited Way unveils fresh, new look
United Way is rolling out a new look and a new message to underscore its ongoing commitment to transforming lives. Angela F. Williams, President & CEO of United Way Worldwide, called the global brand refresh, formally unveiled this fall after robust research, “a significant milestone” in the organization’s history of impact. “It signifies our organization’s…
Read MoreUnited Way Kicks Off 2024 Campaign
As United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) kicks off its annual fundraising campaign, it’s not doing so alone. Local partner organizations are adding their voices to UWSCMI’s “We Show Up” campaign, highlighting how the relationship benefits their work and the community as a whole. “What does it take to tackle the toughest issues in…
Read More