Search results for: equity
Behind The Scenes: Committed to Equity
Over the past five years, United Way BCKR has been growing its efforts to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). The task ahead is to accelerate this evolution. “We firmly believe EDI is critical to our impact work and to our regional community,” said Chris Sargent, President & CEO. “That’s why every investment, every partnership,…
Read More8 Ways to Work for Equity on MLK Day
In his 1963 book “Strength to Love,” Martin Luther King Jr. wrote: “The ultimate measure of a man is … where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” In the past 12 months as we witnessed more instances of ongoing police violence against African Americans — as well as the overwhelming and disproportionate toll…
Read MoreEquity Challenge makes ‘extremely powerful’ impact
“I’ve joined our anti-racism team at work.” “I’ll be more vocal when I encounter racism in everyday life.” “I commit to being more aware of my biases and actively working to change them.” “Listening, listening, listening. Being more aware of my privilege and using it to speak up and speak out.” “I am committed to…
Read MoreLocal Racial Equity Work Highlighted by UW Worldwide
United Way Worldwide’s newest Innovation Case Study spotlights United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region’s efforts to center equity in every aspect of its work. “The case study offers a comprehensive overview of our internal equity, diversity and inclusion work, equitable grantmaking practices, COVID-19 response, and Catalyzing Community Giving (CCG) work,” said Claire…
Read MoreUnited Way Worldwide Embraces New Bylaws Promoting Racial Equity
United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region applauds this week’s vote by United Way Worldwide’s membership to strengthen the network’s commitment to ending racism and ethnic discrimination. The UWW bylaw changes bring stronger commitments by local United Ways to learning, acting and measuring their impact to creating more equitable communities. When our United…
Read MoreUnited for Equity in Jackson County
United for Equity in Jackson County by Ken Toll For a while now, you’ve read my blogs or heard me speak about poverty. You’ve heard the statistic: 4 in 10 households are financially unstable, with a full 15 percent of Jackson County residents living below the poverty line. That poverty line is far too low…
Read MoreNew Video Brings Equity Into Focus
“Equity isn’t just about being equal or giving everyone the same opportunity. It’s about really understanding difference.” — Matt Lynn, Director of Community Impact Building equity while reducing racial and economic disparities is fundamental to United Way’s vision. Telling that story is the role of a new video released today. United Way of the Battle…
Read MoreUnited Way Kicks Off 2024 Campaign
As United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) kicks off its annual fundraising campaign, it’s not doing so alone. Local partner organizations are adding their voices to UWSCMI’s “We Show Up” campaign, highlighting how the relationship benefits their work and the community as a whole. “What does it take to tackle the toughest issues in…
Read MoreDay 21: Resources
Thank you for participating in the 21-Day Disability Equity Challenge. We hope that the information we have shared over the past month has helped you to see disability through a lens of equity, social justice, and pride. We know that this has been a lot of information, and we hope some of it has introduced…
Read MoreUnited Way Drives $23.6 Million in Impact
BATTLE CREEK/JACKSON/KALAMAZOO/LANSING, Michigan – United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) announced that local support and outside grants in 2023-24 totaled more than $23.6 million to drive efforts addressing financial hardship and basic needs among households across six counties. UWSCMI also said it began the next round of local allocations — unrestricted dollars from United…
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