BC/Kzoo
Application assistance available for KMEG Grants
Eligible entrepreneurs can now tap free, in-person assistance to apply for grants aimed at supporting Kalamazoo’s smallest businesses. The Kalamazoo Micro-Enterprise Grants (KMEG) program provides Egrants of $5,000 to eligible microbusinesses within the city limits. The grants are a partnership between the City of Kalamazoo and United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region,…
Read MoreSummer Stock Up Launches June 1
United Ways across Michigan are teaming up with Kellogg Company and food pantries to make sure families stay fed through the summer and beyond. Summer Stock Up aims to fill the gap for families seeking food assistance during the summer months. Generous donations typically help food pantries stay well-stocked in the winter months, but can…
Read MoreBehind The Scenes: Here’s Your Curtain Call
By Chris Sargent, President & CEO I love it when our local communities earn national recognition. Battle Creek has earned All-America City status, and Kalamazoo recently topped a list of coolest, most affordable cities. Among the strengths that gain such attention is our rich cultural life, notably live theater. If you’re like me, one thing…
Read MoreBehind The Scenes: Ready When Disaster Strikes
Tragic events don’t always happen somewhere else. Sometimes they happen right here in our community—be it natural disasters, violence, or a piece of a global pandemic. What we’ve learned is the value of approaching the next crisis in a more powerful, collective way. United Way BCKR and its community partners have a solid track record…
Read MoreKalamazoo Micro-Enterprise Grants Return
A grant program launched last year to bring crucial relief to Kalamazoo’s smallest businesses during the pandemic will offer a second round of grants. The Kalamazoo Micro-Enterprise Grants (KMEG) program provides grants of $5,000 to eligible microbusinesses within the city limits. The grants are a partnership between the City of Kalamazoo and United Way of…
Read MoreBehind The Scenes: There’s No Place Like Home
People experience homelessness for many reasons. The issue is complicated, the solutions more so. But one thing is clear: It takes a community-wide effort to solve the challenge. “There’s no single solution,” said Sara Jacobs, Director of the Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care. “It’s incredibly complex. That’s why it takes all of us working together…
Read MoreRossie’s Story: ‘Absolutely There’s Hope’
If you’re active in the Battle Creek community at all, you might know Rose “Rossie” Miller. She’s worked with the South Michigan Food Bank, operated a food pantry, served on the Yes we can! initiative through the Battle Creek Community Foundation, chaired the board for what is now Grace Health, and served multiple terms on…
Read MoreBehind The Scenes: Getting The Full Picture of ALICE
When communities want to understand how local households are doing financially, they often check the poverty rate. But that doesn’t give the full picture of how many individuals and families struggle to make ends meet. “ALICE encompasses what was once described as ‘the working poor,’ but it stands for much more than that,” said Laurel…
Read MoreBehind The Scenes: Why I Work for United Way – Shreya Naseri
Editor’s note: We asked our United Way BCKR team to share why they’re excited to work for United Way. Here are some thoughts from Shreya Naseri, Customer Relationship Management Administrator. As Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Administrator, my role is to ensure efficient fundraising through our online portal. I handle multiple campaigns including individual giving. Every…
Read MoreBehind The Scenes: Leading With Our Values
It’s said that if you don’t hold fast to your values, whether in good times or bad, then your “values” are really just hobbies. At United Way, our values are fundamental. They drive every aspect of our work—who we are, what we do, how we interact with each other, and how we engage with our…
Read More