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RFPs Released for Kalamazoo County
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 MoreDay 8: Housing Access
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 MoreDay 7: Intersectionality
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 MoreJackson 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 MoreDay 5: Understanding and Reflecting on Bias
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 MoreDay 4: A Reflection on Identity
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 MoreDay 3: Caring for Yourself in Your Equity Journey
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 MoreDay 2: Why Equity?
Day 2: Why Equity Equality means giving everyone the same resources. Equity means offering different resources to different people/groups with the goal of creating equal opportunity for success. In other words, equality is the goal we’re moving toward, equity is how we get there. Let’s imagine that you are logging on to a virtual meeting…
Read MoreDay 1: Welcome
Welcome to United Way of South Central Michigan’s 21-Day Equity Challenge! We are so grateful you have decided to join us in this work. Every day at United Way, we look to partner with community members like you who are committed to a future where everyone can lead a flourishing life. To do this, we…
Read MoreAlyssa Stewart Reflects On UW Career
After a decade as a driving force in United Way’s work, Alyssa Stewart is moving on to a new challenge – but she is still a United Way champion. Stewart, who has been UWSCMI’s Executive Impact Officer, is joining the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, where she will direct impact activities, grantmaking and scholarships. It’s a role…
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