Be Sure You’re Giving Locally

A social media post about a United Way Economic Relief Fund that can help individuals pay bills has gone viral in the last 24 hours, offering a 1-800 contact number. Please know that this post references a fund available to residents in Indianapolis only. In Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, individuals looking for help related to…

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10 Years & Counting!

United Way Earns Top Honor The last voyage of the Space Shuttle. Prince William and Kate Middleton tie the knot. The iPhone 4S debuts. That’s what was happening during the first year your United Way received Charity Navigator’s coveted 4-Star rating. This week, we made it an even decade. Charity Navigator rates nonprofits in two…

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Larry’s Story

Larry’s job means a lot to him. During a break from his work at Concordance Healthcare Solutions, he talked about all the things he does during the 20 hours a week he spends as a materials handler. His day includes unloading trucks, running the baler, collecting trash, and more. He takes pride in what he…

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Career Life Expo Employer List

Career Life Expo

The 2020 Career Life Expo is fast approaching, and we’re excited to be joined by dozens of employers looking to hire. Below is a list of employers currently registered. If your company has not yet secured a table, there’s still time! Join us on Feb. 26 from 1-4 p.m. at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center.…

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ALICE 2020 Needs You

We’ve all faced an inconvenient expense. Your car battery dies. One of your kids is sick and can’t go to school. You’ve got a cavity that needs fixing. Now imagine you’re living paycheck to paycheck, just barely keeping up with your bills. Suddenly, that inconvenience becomes a crisis. That’s the reality for 61,000 households in…

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Year in Review: Advocacy Efforts

EITC coalition Brian Asquith Nakia Baylis Alyssa Stewart Eric Stewart

Give. Advocate. Volunteer. These are the core elements of what we do at United Way. We’ve put an especially strong focus on advocacy in 2019, as public policy continues to be an area in which we can work to eliminate barriers and improve systems that impact many in our community. Looking outward, we are turning…

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United Way Dogs at Work

“Happiness is a warm puppy.” -Charles Schultz Our United Way staff discovered during 2019 that puppies – and older dogs – really do equal happiness, or at least provide a bit of comfort and therapeutic stress relief. After a few drop-in dog visits proved popular, we instituted a dogs at work policy that allowed for…

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Year in Review:
Pop Up Volunteering

Pop Up Volunteering

In 2019, 21,101 individuals were impacted by Pop Up Volunteering events. Pop Up Volunteering (PUV) enables groups to complete projects wherever they may be – offices, corporate gatherings, churches or other locations. “Pop Up Volunteering allows us to help fill the immediate need within the community,” said Claire Michael, Engagement and Resource Development Associate at…

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Year in Review:
Pop Up Giving

Did you attend a Pop Up Giving this year? If so, you know that they are eye-opening, impactful, and always involve good eats. We hope you also know that you made a difference. Pop Up Giving popped up four times this year, and between donations from attendees, match sponsors and event sponsors, we were able…

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