Health
United Way Grants Address Disparities in Vaccine Access
Community grants totaling $50,000 will help local nonprofits and grassroots groups connect underserved people to information and opportunities to get vaccinated against COVID-19. United Way BCKR provided the local grants as part of the Get Vaccinated Michigan campaign led by the Michigan Association of United Ways and the Michigan Nonprofit Association. The statewide effort aims…
Read MoreUW Partnership Addresses Drug Costs, Access During Pandemic
United Way’s partnership with FamilyWize is especially crucial in helping individuals and families get access to lower-cost medicines during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s essential for people to take their prescribed medicines as directed by their physicians, especially as the health care system is stressed by COVID-19. Community residents can call FamilyWize for free customer support…
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Year in Review:
Pop Up Giving
Did you attend a Pop Up Giving this year? If so, you know that they are eye-opening, impactful, and always involve good eats. We hope you also know that you made a difference. Pop Up Giving popped up four times this year, and between donations from attendees, match sponsors and event sponsors, we were able…
Read MoreThat’s a Wrap for the Live United Tour
More than 20,000 Acts of Kindness Completed During Live United Summer Tour The 2019 Live United Summer Tour has come to an end, and we are thrilled to announce our road trip results. Together with more than 250 community volunteers, many corporate partners and individual donors, we have achieved our goal of 20,000 Acts of…
Read MoreInvesting for Impact: $6.24 Million in UWBCKR Grants Drives Change
Childhood trauma, infant health, stable housing and food insecurity are among 110 area programs receiving a total of $6,247,821 in grants from United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. Sixty programs will receive a total of $3,718,401 in strategic grants annually for three years, according to Alyssa Stewart, Vice President of Impact &…
Read MoreLive United Summer Tour: No cover charge, no sold-out shows
We’re staging a series of Pop Up Volunteering events and collection drives to support our community goals in infant health and early grade reading, and we can’t do it alone.
Read MoreUW Honored for Supporting Survivors of Sexual Assault
United Way’s support and advocacy for the survivors of sexual violence earned us special recognition. Bronson Healthcare’s Sexual Assault Services (SAS), based in Battle Creek, awarded our United Way the distinguished Betty Christ Memorial Award. The award honors outstanding community advocacy on behalf of sexual assault survivors. United Way “has gone above and beyond in…
Read MoreTaking Impact Personally
Chris Sargent, President & CEO, reflects personally on Impact Week 2018. Every now and then, someone asks what draws me to the work of United Way. The answer is easy: For me, it’s personal. I’ve spent much of my life living in this area. I have children here. Grandchildren, too. This is my home, and…
Read MoreImpact Week: Reaching That First Birthday
When a community commits itself to safeguarding the health of its most vulnerable people, that means more babies—especially babies of color—will celebrate their first birthday. United Way BCKR set a goal to improve infant mortality rates in families of color and low income to 6.0 per 1,000 births by 2025. Tristen’s Story Before his sophomore…
Read MoreImpact Week 2018: Delivering Results, Changing Lives
Making a charitable gift or volunteering your time isn’t just a feel-good exercise. It’s an investment, and you want to see that investment pay off. United Way wholeheartedly agrees. “Our impact begins by identifying where we can invest resources, people and expertise to solve our region’s biggest challenges,” said Matt Lynn, Vice President for Community…
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