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 books on the gym floor, eager to choose one to take home. These were a…

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2017: A Year of Impact

The end of one year and dawn of another is a natural time of reflection and gratitude. At United Way BCKR, we have much to be grateful for. Our work is a collective effort that includes dynamic corporate and community partners, engaged volunteers and generous donors. That means our successes belong to you as well…

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Making Every Week 'Impact Week'

[su_label type=”info”]IMPACT WEEK[/su_label] President & CEO Chris Sargent reflects on our coverage of Impact Week and how United Way is making a difference in our region. I like numbers. Not enough to be a mathematician or an accountant, perhaps. But I like what numbers can tell us. For instance, did you know there are 100…

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Impact Week: Connecting With Early Readers

[su_label type=”info”]IMPACT WEEK[/su_label] After finishing as a guest reader at New Genesis Learning Center, Amie Meints was nearly bowled over by a crowd of hug-seeking preschoolers. It was all the confirmation needed to show the impact that she and co-worker Jason McFadden made that day. The two were among 10 Humphrey Products employees who fanned…

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Impact Week: Making Progress in Education

[su_label type=”info”]IMPACT WEEK[/su_label] Education is called the “passport to the future.” United Way partners and programs strive to make sure every child in our region has the chance to earn that passport. Editor’s note: We’re celebrating Impact Week—highlighting how support for United Way is changing lives. Read our Impact Week overview here. Jennifer Nottingham, Associate…

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It's Impact Week! You're Making a Difference!

[su_label type=”info”]IMPACT WEEK[/su_label] “How do I know my donation is really changing lives?” It’s a great question. United Way BCKR is determined to answer it. “Last year, we set powerful, long-term goals for the toughest challenges we face as a region,” said Matt Lynn, Director of Community Impact. “It’s vital that we measure our progress.…

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Join Us for Free Screening of 'Resilience'

Raising Kalamazoo County, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, and the Michigan ACE Initiative invite you to view the award-winning documentary “Resilience”. “Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope” chronicles the birth of a new movement among pediatricians, therapists, educators and communities, who are using cutting-edge brain science to…

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United 4 Change Looks Ahead

Five years ago, a diverse group of people from regional businesses, school systems and nonprofits gathered at Eaton Corporation’s Galesburg facility to talk about education, volunteerism and the future workforce. The result was United 4 Change, a collective effort supporting and inspiring students, especially in early grade reading and career mentoring. This month, many of…

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Learning Circles encourage growth, collaboration

More than 100 nonprofit leaders in the areas of health and education came together this month for two forums aimed at making connections, exploring resources, and learning from one another. The newly developed forums, called Learning Circles, will take place several times each year for funded partners of United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region.…

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Saying 'Yes' to the Future

Put a few folks from the nonprofit sector in a room, and they’ll soon start talking about their work, their progress and their fundraising. That’s important, but I prefer when the conversation turns to people. Take this local mom, for example. Her family’s finances are precarious — what we call ALICE, or Asset Limited, Income…

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