BC/Kzoo
United 4 Change Looks Ahead
Five years ago, a diverse group of people from regional businesses, school systems and nonprofits gathered at Eaton Corporation’s Galesburg facility to talk about education, volunteerism and the future workforce. The result was United 4 Change, a collective effort supporting and inspiring students, especially in early grade reading and career mentoring. This month, many of…
Read MoreAnna's Story: 'Then, There Was Hope'
Anna and her family were already dealing with the uncertainty of a major illness and subsequent job loss when the next blow came — potential eviction. As a result of her severe circumstances, Anna had fallen behind in rent and soon found herself in court. That’s where she first connected with Legal Services of South…
Read MoreRoad Show Delivers Personal ‘Thanks’ – And Cookies!
Armed with cookies, artwork and grateful hearts, United Way representatives fanned out across the region last week to deliver messages of appreciation to area businesses and organizations. A dozen teams, which included staff, corporate volunteers and community partners, deployed to honor 75 recipients during the four-day United Way Thank You Road Show, recognizing their contributions…
Read MoreAppreciation Week Highlights Youth Development Professionals
Have you thanked a youth development professional lately? Youth Development Professionals Appreciation Week, which kicks off today, is the perfect opportunity. Join us as we celebrate with the Kalamazoo Youth Development Network (KYD Network) and the National AfterSchool Association in recognizing the professionals at the heart of our communities’ out-of-school programs. “We know youth development…
Read MoreFor Rootead Doulas, Justice Begins At Birth
Kama Mitchell was exhausted, but happy in the days after supporting a client through a lengthy birth process that she called “a huge adventure.” It’s not all that different from the way she describes the work being done by Rootead, the nonprofit organization she co-founded in 2014. Mitchell serves as executive director of Rootead, which…
Read MoreUWBCKR Earns 4-Star Rating – Again!
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. It’s the seventh consecutive year that UWBCKR received this highest designation. Charity Navigator rates nonprofits in two areas of performance: financial health, and accountability and transparency. This helps donors know how…
Read MoreOur Vision: ALICE Doesn't Live Here Anymore
“Why, sometimes I’ve believed in six impossible things before breakfast.” – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland [Editor’s note: The following blog is by Chris Sargent, Interim CEO for United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region] Over a year ago, our United Way put forth a vision for the region: A vibrant community…
Read MoreNo Wonderland: ALICE Still Struggling
Forty percent of households in Michigan, including more than 58,000 households in the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo region, can’t afford basic household necessities. That sobering fact comes from the recently updated ALICE report, released today by the Michigan Association of United Ways. “United Way is shining a light on the magnitude of ALICE – a…
Read MoreLearning Circles encourage growth, collaboration
More than 100 nonprofit leaders in the areas of health and education came together this month for two forums aimed at making connections, exploring resources, and learning from one another. The newly developed forums, called Learning Circles, will take place several times each year for funded partners of United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region.…
Read MoreImpact Tours Offer Look At How United Way Partnerships Change Lives
(Editor’s note: This first-person account is provided by Emily Adams, social media intern with UWBCKR.) There’s no better way to learn how United Way partnerships impact lives than to see it for yourself. On March 23, United Way team members and community guests boarded a bus in Battle Creek for an Impact Tour. The tour…
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