Our local communities are unique. They also share similar challenges and dynamics. By joining our United Ways regionally while keeping a local focus, we can deliver far more impact than ever before.
Responding for ALICE: Mini-Grants Presented
United Way of South Central Michigan has awarded 21 mini-grants to organizations in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo that are striving to increase the number of households living above the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold. “The opportunity to receive any funds of any kind is a blessing,” said Rhonda Ethridge of Life Cycles Bike4Life.…
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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…
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ALICE Threshold: A New Standard for Policy
NEW ORLEANS – A trip to the “Birthplace of Jazz” brought together more than 575 individuals from across the country earlier this month to discuss one centralized topic that has been a pillar of United Way work for years: ALICE. ALICE is an acronym that stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.” These are hard-working…
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Alyssa 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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Data for Difference: The 2024 Kalamazoo Point-in-Time Count
KALAMAZOO- More than 20 volunteers fanned out across Kalamazoo County to participate in the unsheltered portion of the 2024 Kalamazoo Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. The PIT Count, organized by United Way of South Central Michigan’s Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care program, is a literal count of all the people experiencing homelessness in our community on a…
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Nominations Open for Capital Area Volunteer of the Year
Annually, the United Way of South Central Michigan-Capital Area Volunteer Center recognizes community volunteers for their significant impact on nonprofits in the Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties through their gifts of time and talent. These awards recognize individuals who provide valuable volunteerism to our community through their dedication and hard work, making a difference in…
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Warming Centers for Winter Weather
It’s January in Michigan and cold and wintry weather is here. United Way of South Central Michigan is committed to working with area agencies to assist unhoused people during the cold and stormy days of winter. With temperatures dropping, high winds, and snow on its way, here are the following locations in our region whose…
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service and Celebration: 2024
In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, designating the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday as a national day of service. Taking place each year on the third Monday in January, the MLK Day of Service is the only federal holiday observed as such. The MLK Day of Service calls for Americans…
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You See Me: Year in Review 2023
2023 was a year to remember for United Way of South Central Michigan. As we reach the end of this year, we reflect on our first full year as an organization and the accomplishments and impact we have made within our community. We have dedicated ourselves to fostering a positive change with programs and initiatives…
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JobSTAR: Success Through Coaching
JobSTAR (Support Talent and Retention) is a resource for employers to help their employees overcome obstacles that may impede their ability to work. A Success Coach confidentially works with employees of participating businesses. Workers are connected to services and support programs to help them overcome challenges that affect their job attendance and performance. A Success…
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