BC/Kzoo
Felecia’s Story
Felecia Parker is looking forward to purchasing a new home this year, and planning to put in a garden with her children. She’s currently in the 21st year of her career as a medical assistant, overseeing remote learning for her 5- and 7-year-old, and actively searching for that new property with space for a garden.…
Read MoreBehind The Scenes: Committed to Equity
Over the past five years, United Way BCKR has been growing its efforts to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). The task ahead is to accelerate this evolution. “We firmly believe EDI is critical to our impact work and to our regional community,” said Chris Sargent, President & CEO. “That’s why every investment, every partnership,…
Read MoreBehind The Scenes: The Community Impact of Win-Win
A win for someone struggling to succeed—to get an education, access health care and achieve financial stability—does a lot more than benefit that person. It’s a win for the community, too. “Poverty imposes costs on the nation in terms of both programmatic outlays and productivity losses that can affect the economy as a whole,” states…
Read MoreALICE Report: Many Local Households Still Struggling Financially
Many individuals and families in Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties are still struggling to keep up financially, according to the latest statistics from the Michigan Association of United Ways. The 2021 ALICE Report, released today, shows 39% of the region’s 157,023 households didn’t earn enough to exceed the ALICE threshold—the income needed to be financially stable.…
Read MoreSTAR Awards Nominations Continue, Ceremony on Hold
United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region and Gryphon Place have decided to postpone the annual STAR Awards celebration for 2021 in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic. The STAR (Sharing Time and Resources) Celebration and Community Volunteer Awards have long been a time to recognize volunteers for their contributions of time, talent, and…
Read MoreBehind The Scenes: ‘Festoon’ for a Better Community
“At United Way, we know that we can’t accomplish our impact work alone,” said Natalie Saucedo, United Way BCKR’s Senior Director of Strategy & Innovation.
Read MoreCollaborative Effort Provides Safe Shelter
A collaborative effort among local nonprofits and government will provide safe shelter for up to 125 unhoused individuals currently staying at outdoor encampments in the area. Sara Jacobs, Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care Director, said the Hoteling Intervention Program (HIP) will offer up to 90 hotel rooms, plus meals, personal care items, case management support…
Read MoreBehind The Scenes: Our History of Dreaming & Doing
If anyone knew about dealing with tough times, it was Frances Wisebart Jacobs. By 1887, the 44-year-old Jacobs and her husband, Abraham, had lost a young son, suffered major fires at their two clothing stores, and saw one store go out of business. Yet Jacobs looked beyond her own difficulties to her fellow Denver residents…
Read MorePartnership Expands Small-Business Support in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo small businesses can benefit from loans and grants through a three-year partnership between the City of Kalamazoo and United Way BCKR that builds on a successful pandemic-related effort. The new agreement, approved by the Kalamazoo City Commission on March 1, does two things. One, it expands the Kalamazoo Small Business Loan Fund (KSBLF), which…
Read MoreWhy United Way Matters
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series called Behind the Scenes, designed to give readers an inside look at what we do, and why. Giving to a good cause is easier than ever these days–click on a GoFundMe link, buy something through Amazon Smile, round up your next fast-food purchase. Those things aren’t…
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