IMPACT! Recognizing the Value of Relationships

A lifetime of success, including a rewarding career that provides financial stability, begins with the right kind of guidance at a young age. Our partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Jackson County helped one young man reflect on how his pathway changed for the better:

Jim and his “Little,” Mark, have been matched for two years. Mark recently turned 18 and was ready to move on from that mentor relationship. He had this to say about the value of Jim’s support: “Jim has been such a great support and he will always be a part of my life. I would like to see him go and change someone else’s life the way he changed mine.” Mark explained that when he applied to get a Big Brother, he did not have any self-confidence or self-love, and he was in a really dark place. Mark went on to explain that he now has friends and a girlfriend, he values his schooling, and he will always have Jim in his life. At their closure meeting, Mark sincerely thanked BBBS and Jim for changing his life and giving him the hope and confidence he needed to be where he is today.

Mark is on his way toward a successful life thanks to Jim, BBBS and United Way. Your continued support of our work makes outcomes like this possible.

ALICE: 39,433 Kalamazoo County Households Fall Below ALICE Threshold

May 9, 2023

ALICE: 30% of Households in Jackson County are ALICE

May 8, 2023

ALICE: 41% of Ingham County households below the ALICE Threshold

May 5, 2023

ALICE: Eaton County sees 14% rise in households below the ALICE Threshold

May 4, 2023

From Despair to Stability: Catholic Charities

May 3, 2023

ALICE: 30% of households in Clinton County below ALICE Threshold

May 2, 2023

ALICE: Calhoun County sees 6% rise in struggling households

May 1, 2023

Nationally, 36 million working households still struggling financially

April 28, 2023

ALICE Speaks: Personal Stories Mark Report Rollout

April 27, 2023

New ALICE Report Shows Pandemic Impact in Region

April 26, 2023