Still Struggling: ALICE Report Shows 40% at Risk Financially

Four of every 10 households in the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo region are either in poverty or barely getting by financially, a new report on Michigan’s working families reveals. The Michigan Association of United Ways (MAUW) has released a study on the condition of Michigan’s working families, which it has dubbed ALICE households—those that are…

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Career Life Expo Nears; Volunteers Sought

Career Life Expo

The Career Life Expo brings many opportunities for people looking for work and for people looking to volunteer. The Career Life Expo takes place Tuesday, March 26, 12 noon to 5 p.m., at the Kalamazoo County Expo Center, 2900 Lake Street. Employers from the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo region will be there to conduct interviews…

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Period Poverty Spurs New Program at Charitable Union

Period Poverty

“Period poverty exists when a woman cannot access the necessary hygiene products needed during menstruation,” said Teresa Allen, Executive Director at Charitable Union. “The national data shows that 1 in 5 low-income women struggle to leave their homes during menstruation. We had no idea.”

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4-Star Rating Puts UWBCKR in Top 2% Nationally

For the ninth consecutive year, Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest evaluator of charitable agencies, awarded United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region its coveted 4-Star rating. Only 2 percent of charities evaluated nationwide by Charity Navigator have achieved this mark nine times running. Charity Navigator rates nonprofits in two areas of performance: financial…

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Jobs, Homes and Financial Stability: See What Our Income Quarter is All About

Jobs, Homes and Financial Stability

When more than 530 jobseekers walked into United Way’s Career Life Expo last February, they found 83 employers ready to talk about job opportunities. But day to day, many people can’t pursue such opportunities because of barriers such as lack of identification, incomplete education, lack of housing and no transportation. That’s why the Expo also…

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Pop Up Volunteering Delivers Unique Way to Make a Difference

Pop Up Volunteering

Volunteering is one of the most powerful ways to create change in the community. Our corporate partners have long supported United Way agencies by sending employees out into the community for Days of Caring volunteer experiences, and that practice continues. But it doesn’t work for everyone. In 2018, United Way BCKR rolled out a new…

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Family Health Center Employee Wins Sweepstakes Car

Family Health Center Employee Wins Sweepstakes Car

When Mary Lewis received her hard-earned bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University last Saturday, she thought that would be the highlight of her month. Turns out she has two great things to celebrate. Lewis, Practice Director at Family Health Center (FHC), is this year’s United Way Sweepstakes automobile winner. She was chosen at random from…

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United Way Sets Holiday Hours

Happy Holidays

United Way will have limited office hours during the upcoming holiday week. Our Battle Creek office will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1. The Kalamazoo office at 709 S. Westnedge Ave. will be open Dec. 26-28 and 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily for supporters who wish to drop off year-end donations. (If you…

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