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See Photos from the Women United Lighting the Path Luncheon with AG Dana Nessel
Dozens of community members attended United Way of South Central Michigan’s 22nd Annual Lighting the Path Luncheon on May 3, featuring Attorney General Dana Nessel as the guest speaker. Launched locally in 2002 by Capital Area United Way, Women United has energized women to join forces to impact the lives of middle school girls…a notably…
Read MoreA Night of Volunteerism: The 2022 VOTY Awards
LANSING – April was National Volunteer Month, and United Way of South Central Michigan, in partnership with Fox 47 News, celebrated with the 2023 Capital Area Volunteer of the Year Awards. Nominees, nominators and community members gathered April 19 at the Marshall Street Armory in Lansing to watch a previously recorded video celebrating volunteers in…
Read MoreFrom Despair to Stability: Catholic Charities
JACKSON – Becoming financially stable is key to a successful life. But that’s not the only stability that matters. Finding emotional stability through mental health is just as crucial. That’s why United Way of South Central Michigan is pleased to work with Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee and Hillsdale Counties on a voucher program that…
Read MoreALICE: Calhoun County sees 6% rise in struggling households
CALHOUN COUNTY – The United Way network and research partner United for ALICE released its latest report in April, giving us our first look at ALICE data since the COVID-19 pandemic began. ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than…
Read MoreAdvocacy Brings Impact: AWARE Shelter
JACKSON – Our partnership with AWARE Inc. promotes social change by empowering survivors of domestic and sexual violence. That work includes helping survivors who face financial challenges. Here’s an example: A survivor staying in AWARE’s Jackson shelter received a housing choice voucher for subsidized housing. She successfully located an apartment with the help of AWARE. …
Read MoreTutoring Program Grows Confidence in Readers
SLD Read trains volunteers to work one-to-one with students in local schools BATTLE CREEK AND KALAMAZOO – Fifth-grader Chondell hasn’t always been willing to read aloud in class. But in a recent theater activity, he didn’t hesitate to read the part he’d been practicing. Then he volunteered to read additional parts, sight unseen, for students…
Read MoreSeeding Leaders Grants: Blossoming a Second Cohort of Nonprofit Leadership
United Way of South Central Michigan has awarded $2,500 mini-grants to its second cohort of 10 local Kalamazoo & Battle Creek leaders as a part of its program, Seeding Leaders. These grants are intended to support the wellness, leadership, and professional development of nonprofit leaders and primarily focused on leaders who identify as BIPOC (Black,…
Read MoreRentAble Revamp Removes Barriers to Stable Housing
The Kalamazoo Continuum of Care has revamped its RentAble program to help more people overcome barriers to keep or obtain housing. RentAble is a pilot program managed by the Kalamazoo CoC and funded by the City of Kalamazoo. It provides one-time assistance up to $2,000 per household to qualified individual or family renters. Whereas the…
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 MoreMSHDA Funds Available for Shelter Diversion
KALAMAZOO – The Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care is currently inviting proposals from eligible agencies for projects related to shelter diversion. In 2022, The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) received a state budget allocation of $50 million for the Housing and Community Development Fund (HCDF). These funds are intended to expand housing supports for…
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