Aspiring Leaders United connects young professionals.

by Sara Coppo, Guest Blogger

Hard-working professionals struggle to find time for networking, socializing and helping the community. Good news: Aspiring Leaders United offers a solution.

ALU, an affinity group of United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, brings together leaders under the age of 45 to connect with each other and engage them in philanthropy through giving, advocating and volunteering.

The benefits of ALU include connecting you with like-minded individuals, increasing your understanding of issues and progress in the community, and providing a well-rounded experience that builds leadership skills.

Find Your People

“Not being from here, it has been fun getting to know people across multiple businesses and expand my network here in the Kalamazoo area,” said Caroline Johnson, an ALU Council member from Stryker.

Gain Perspective

“Many of the daily struggles that the populations United Way serves are struggles I would have never considered,” said Travis Cree, an ALU Council member from Zoetis. “ALU and my other involvements with United Way and other nonprofits in the community have given me a more complete perspective of issues in Kalamazoo and Calhoun counties. This has led me to become more involved in trying to change the story and impact people for the better in the best ways I know possible.”

Make Change In Your Community

“According to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, we all seek to become better people. Being able to help those in need, especially those you may pass on a daily basis, truly opens you up to asking introspective questions about how you can improve yourself and your community,” said Cameron Cummins, an ALU Council member from Rose Street Advisors.

Interested in Aspiring Leaders United? The requirements are simple: ALU members are residents of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo region, are between the ages of 21-45, contribute an annual minimum of $250 to United Way or volunteer 10 hours in a year (or a combination of the two), and attend a minimum of two ALU sponsored events (such as VolunBeer and Pop Up Giving) annually.

#AreYouALU? Make that answer “yes” today! To find out more or to join ALU, find us on Facebook, visit our web page or complete the form below.