News and Updates
Volunteer Awards Honor Best of Battle Creek
The power of volunteerism gained the spotlight at the 2018 Community Volunteer Awards ceremony held July 26 in downtown Battle Creek. Seven awards – five individual awards and two group honors – were handed out during the event, which was…
From the Flood, Tales of Hope
The Kalamazoo Flood Relief Fund raised more than $375,000 to help victims of the historic 2018 flood. by Andrea Opalewski, Guest Blogger As we enjoy the summer sunshine and warmer temperatures, it’s hard to believe that a historic flood deluged…
Saving Babies, Changing Lives
There are days when Kaye Sanders realizes she’s been holding her breath from the moment she woke up. As the Recovery House Coordinator for Community Healing Centers’ Women’s Specialty Program, Sanders and her team walk beside women working to rebuild…
New Report Details Impact; New Grants Drive Progress
A new report from United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region shows progress on long-term community goals, while new, three-year strategic grants totaling $6,567,096 will build momentum toward reaching those goals. Chris Sargent, President and CEO, said this…
Help Us Collect 10,000 Books for Kids!
Children who read well tend to succeed in school. In that light, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region is leading an effort to collect 10,000 donated new or gently used children’s books and get them in the…
One Well Brewing Gathers People for Impact
When people come together great things can happen. By Sara Coppo, Guest Blogger This blog is part of a series on businesses partnering with United Way to #ChangeTheStory. When people come together, great things can happen. That makes gathering places…
Partnership Tackles Racial Disparities
When it comes to racial equity, our regional community can do better. By Sara Coppo, Guest Blogger “Whether it’s education, whether it’s income, whether it’s health, families of color line up behind at all times.” As CEO of YWCA Kalamazoo,…
See What's Ahead in the Education Quarter
Last fall, United Way volunteers visited elementary schools in Battle Creek and Comstock to read and deliver books as part of the 2017 UW Book Drive. The students were excited to listen to stories, and afterward they spread the donated…
Building Healthy Families One Connection at a Time
Lee Gray and Amy Smith know how to build relationships. It’s a skill that has proven essential to the facilitation and growth of their family education program, Family Connections. By creating an environment of trust and open dialogue, program co-directors…