The 2023/24 Volunteer of the Year Awards

LANSING – April brought National Volunteer Month, and United Way of South Central Michigan, in partnership with Fox 47 News and WLNS TV6 celebrated with the 2023 Capital Area Volunteer of the Year Awards.  Nominees, nominators, and community members gathered April 24 at the Marshall Street Armory in Lansing to watch a previously recorded video…

Read More

Driving Economic Success For Workers & Businesses

JACKSON – United Way of South Central Michigan is proud to serve the companies and employees of the Jackson region with JobSTAR (Support Talent and Retention). JobSTAR is a resource for employers to help employees overcome obstacles that may impede their ability to work. In this program, a Success Coach connects workers to services and…

Read More

Kellanova Volunteers Feed Battle Creek Kids, Community Spirit

BATTLE CREEK – When it comes to community caring, Kellanova employees lead by example. About 20 Kellanova employees from Battle Creek volunteered at the South Michigan Food Bank on April 4, packing more than 1,300 food packages in less than two hours. The packages will be shared with students at Battle Creek Public Schools who…

Read More

RFPs Released for Kalamazoo County

Blue background with white lettering that reads RFP: Request for Proposal

KALAMAZOO – United Way of South Central Michigan has released two Requests for Proposals for American Rescue Plan grant funding in two areas: Violence Intervention and Community Health Worker Training. Eligible organizations may apply now online. The deadline for both grant applications is May 3 at noon. Learn more about eligibility criteria, activities and timeline…

Read More

Day 8: Housing Access

Graphic depicts four heart-shaped figures with hands meeting in the middle, bold text block says Day 8

Day 8: Housing Access The reality is that housing affordability and those who experience houselessness are largely influenced by our country’s history of oppression. Housing insecurity is an issue that disproportionately impacts people from various marginalized groups. It’s important to note that here and elsewhere, we use the language preferred by people directly impacted by…

Read More

Day 7: Intersectionality

Graphic depicts four heart-shaped figures with hands meeting in the middle, bold text block says Day 7

Day 7: Intersectionality “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.” Audre Lorde – writer, professor, philosopher, intersectional feminist, poet and civil rights activist A discussion of privilege and oppression is not complete without a broader discussion of intersectionality, a concept that helps us…

Read More

Jackson Nonprofits Join JobSTAR Cohorts

JACKSON – Federal funds have made it possible for eight Jackson-area nonprofits to join JobSTAR, the business resource network led by UWSCMI. Launched in 2018, JobSTAR (Support, Talent And Retention) embeds Success Coaches Scott Walker and Kristy Warner at participating organizations, connecting employees to services and support programs so they can get beyond barriers to…

Read More

Day 5: Understanding and Reflecting on Bias

Graphic depicts four heart-shaped figures with hands meeting in the middle, bold text block says, "Day 5."

Day 5: Understanding and Reflecting on Bias The topic of bias can sometimes be a difficult one. Most of us see ourselves, rightly so, as kind, caring individuals who try to do right by others. As we dive into this topic, I hope one thing is clear: all of us have bias. It often shows…

Read More

Day 4: A Reflection on Identity

Graphic depicts four heart-shaped figures with hands meeting in the middle, bold text block says, "Day 4"

Day 4: A Reflection on Identity How often do you think about your race, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, dis/ability, or other social identities? Which identity/ies do you think about the most in your day-to-day? For many of us, the identities we are most aware of in ourselves are the ones that create challenges…

Read More

Day 3: Caring for Yourself in Your Equity Journey

Graphic depicts four heart-shaped figures with hands meeting in the middle, bold text block says, Day 3

Day 3: Caring for Yourself in Your Equity Journey As you go through these lessons, there are some that you might have a more personal connection to than others. There are some that might make you defensive, and some that might make you deflated. It’s important to check in with yourself to understand what emotions…

Read More