BC/Kzoo
Tawana's Story
Nurse-Family Partnership Offers Support to First-Time Mothers Tawana Moss never expected to be a mother. Told they could never have children, she and her husband were stunned last year to discover that she was two months pregnant. “I cried the whole seven months,” she said, laughing as 9-month-old Tatiana squirmed on her lap. “But I…
Read MoreCelebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
Editor’s note: In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we welcome this guest blog by Josh Dunn, executive director of Voces and a member of the Battle Creek Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Committee. National Hispanic Heritage Month runs September 15 through October 15 every year. It began life as just a week, timed to correspond…
Read MoreMarion's Story
Marion’s Story: Making a Change Watching Marion play basketball, talk about his favorite foods or joke around with friends, it’s difficult to see him as anything but a happy, well-adjusted 12-year-old. That was not the case when he joined the S.T.R.E.E.T. program a year and a half ago. “I wasn’t very good at coping with…
Read MoreNurturing a Love of Reading
The grin on Susan Caswell’s face perfectly mirrored that of 120 kids around her. “You can do all the interventions you want, but ultimately it’s about getting books into their hands and inspiring a love of reading,” said the Green Meadow Elementary School principal. Young faces beamed as United Way Campaign Cabinet members, led by…
Read MoreGryphon Place 2-1-1 Answers the Call During Hurricane Crisis
As much of the southeastern United States braced for Hurricane Irma late last week, local 2-1-1 specialists were making preparations of their own. The 2-1-1 contact center at Gryphon Place in Kalamazoo, like many others around the country that provide 24/7 information and referral services to local residents, stood ready if called upon to lend…
Read MoreUnited Way Takes Over Michigan
Michigan United Ways are taking over the state this week to send a message: To live better, we must LIVE UNITED. Collaboration is one of United Way’s greatest strengths. In that spirit, United Ways across Michigan, including United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, have joined forces again this year to share their…
Read MoreRetreats Offer Self-Care Tools to Alleviate Secondary Trauma
Lindsey Neal is no stranger to the practice and benefits of mindfulness. A former massage therapist who now teaches Spanish and health at Battle Creek Central High School, she leads yoga classes weekly for high school students and works out regularly at a gym as part of her self-care routine. Still, she says, her own…
Read MoreTurning Readers Into Leaders: Book Drive Goal Set at 15,000
Children who read well tend to succeed in school. That fact has led United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region to spearhead an effort to collect 15,000 donated new or gently used children’s books — representing every child between kindergarten and third grade in the region. “Through third grade, kids are learning to…
Read MoreGiving Back is a Union Tradition
As Labor Day approaches, many workers are looking forward to a three-day weekend. It’s a great time to recognize that our country’s labor movement paved the way for workers to enjoy things like 40-hour work weeks, paid vacation and many other benefits. And that legacy goes further, including the work of building stronger communities for…
Read MoreEmotional Shrapnel: Facing Secondary Trauma
When a bomb goes off, the damage spreads beyond the point of the explosion. Fragments tear apart the surrounding landscape—and anyone standing nearby. The same is true when young people experience trauma. As they seek help, this emotional shrapnel may scar those around them. Called secondary trauma, it’s particularly tough on educators. And it’s a…
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