News and Updates
Kiersten Meales is Changing the Story
Kiersten Meales seems like an ordinary Western Michigan University freshmen: she’s studying early childhood education, volunteering around campus, and is hoping to become a resident assistant in her future years. What sets Kiersten apart, and drives her passion for helping…
Volunteer Spotlight: WMU Students Lend a Hand
Students are an extremely valuable part of the community we live in. Now, I suppose I am a little biased since I am a student. But, as I approach graduation, I’m taking more notice of the active role students play…
United Way; A Catalyst for Change
If I do my job right, you’ll never again think of United Way as simply a fundraiser. Of course, that’s how most people view United Way – understandably so, since raising and investing funds in the community is an important…
Happy Thanksgiving!
Since the annual holiday season begins with Thanksgiving Day, I want to bring that theme to this letter. Please accept my deepest gratitude and appreciation for your unwavering support of United Way. Without your generosity we would not be able…
United Way: Why Partnering Matters
As the saying goes, “Nothing ever changes until somebody motivates a critical mass of the right people to commit to change.” It’s a good saying – and it happens to be true. The need for change is immense. You don’t…
Creating Opportunities Through Reading
I’ve always been impressed by the great work being done through the Early Grade Reading Pilot Program at Verona Elementary School in Battle Creek. But it’s much more powerful to actually see the excitement the children had for reading. Last…
United Way: A Year-round Commitment
There are a lot of responsibilities that only interrupt us once a year: renewing license tags, spring cleaning, and if you’re not an accountant, taxes. Our responsibility to our community, however, must be an ongoing commitment. There is no time…
DRIVE UNITED: How Local Auto Dealers Partnered to Advance the Common Good
The automobile sales industry is one of the most competitive on Earth. With production costs rising and personal income stagnant or declining, every sale matters. As a result, dealers work hard to distinguish their businesses from their peers. Yet 11…
Greater Collaboration Provides a Great Start
Visit www.changethestory.org to learn more about the work we are doing in Education. At United Way, we believe that positive, nurturing early childhood experiences are vital to creating a thriving community, so that our children are able to begin their…