News and Updates
Principal El: “A dream without a plan is a hallucination.”
Yesterday, Principal Salome Thomas – El spoke to some of our supporters at the Gilmore Car Museum. Principal El has been a powerful advocate for education for over 20 years and is the author of the best-selling book, I Choose…
“Not Just a Merger, but a Transformation”
July 10 marked a huge step for our regional community: the United Way of Greater Battle Creek and the United Way of Greater Kalamazoo merged to form the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region (UWBCKR). I know,…
Motivating Monday: Ernest Lanier, A Personal Passion for Community
There were a handful of times during Ernest Lanier’s life when someone he barely knew offered a piece of advice or a modicum of encouragement that propelled him forward. Now Borgess Health’s chief diversity officer pays those examples forward—mentoring young…
Motivating Monday: Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran, An Advocate for Education
As Kalamazoo College president, Dr. Eileen Wilson-Oyelaran focuses on providing a challenging academic atmosphere for young people readying themselves to embark on an adult learning odyssey. As a local United Way leader, she’s targeted her academic passion at another point…
Wellness Wednesday: Local Produce Makes a Difference for Low Income Families
I love a trip to the Farmers Market. I love fruit, I love veggies and I love an excuse to walk around and enjoy the summer. And of course, it certainly feels great to support our locally grown products. Now,…
Employee Campaign Managers . . . Start Your Engines!
This morning, while most of Kalamazoo was hitting the snooze button to enjoy the sound of rain just a little longer, our 2012 Employee Campaign Managers were meeting for breakfast and training at the Senior Services Center. We had a…
Motivating Monday: Denise Washington, From Poverty to Ph.D
Denise Washington seemed destined to be a poster woman for young, single mothers aspiring to little more than a minimum-wage existence. Forty years ago, Washington was offered a college scholarship to pursue a degree in accounting at Western Michigan University…
Wellness Wednesday: Gold Medal Snacking
Everyone seems to be coming down with Olympic Fever. The 2012 Olympics in London have engrossed people around the world, and honestly, who can blame us? It’s a lot of fun cheering on our favorites and watching the amazing feats…
All Eyes on Youth: Support YUW's Blood Drive
There are a lot of great parts of the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, however, I have to say one of my favorites is our Youth United Way organization. We have a collection of high school…