Posts Tagged ‘financial stability’
Rossie’s Story: ‘Absolutely There’s Hope’
If you’re active in the Battle Creek community at all, you might know Rose “Rossie” Miller. She’s worked with the South Michigan Food Bank, operated a food pantry, served on the Yes we can! initiative through the Battle Creek Community Foundation, chaired the board for what is now Grace Health, and served multiple terms on…
Read MoreALICE Report: Many Local Households Still Struggling Financially
Many individuals and families in Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties are still struggling to keep up financially, according to the latest statistics from the Michigan Association of United Ways. The 2021 ALICE Report, released today, shows 39% of the region’s 157,023 households didn’t earn enough to exceed the ALICE threshold—the income needed to be financially stable.…
Read MoreNew United Way Investments Locally Top $5.57 Million
Financial coaching, stable housing, access to food, and social emotional development are among 95 area programs receiving a total investment of $5,571,769 from United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region (UWBCKR). The programs, managed by 65 partner agencies, continue to advance the community toward goals in education, financial stability, and infant and family…
Read MoreKnowing ALICE: Coronavirus Outbreak Puts Income at Risk
We’ve all heard the advice: If you’re sick, stay home. For ALICE, that might not be an option. “Equal access to precautionary measures cuts along the same lines that divide the United States in other ways: income, education and race,” according to a new article in The New York Times. “Service industry workers, like those…
Read MoreKnowing ALICE: Jakaria’s Story
Building a better life isn’t easy. ALICE* households are reminded of this fact every day. But as Jakaria’s story reveals, having the right people and help available can forge a pathway to success. “I was in an apartment that I liked, and it was a good price and location, but it was infested with roaches,…
Read MoreCareer Life Expo Connects Jobseekers to Bright Future
Perched at the Kalamazoo Literacy Council table inside the Kalamazoo Expo Center, Cakneeshia Stegall smiled brightly at the dozens of jobseekers wandering past. She was eager to connect with them. After all, she knew what they were feeling. Stegall was once on the other side of the table, looking for work, at a past Career…
Read MoreTalking about ALICE
Let’s talk about ALICE. Let’s talk about what it means to be Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed. Let’s talk about the challenges faced by 4 in 10 households in our region—hard-working households that still struggle to make ends meet. Let’s talk about the difficulty they face in trying to better their lives when 61%…
Read MoreCareer Life Expo Shines in Year Two
Employers, nonprofits and jobseekers found the tagline for the Career Life Expo rang true: It’s more than a job fair.
Read MoreJobs, Homes and Financial Stability: See What Our Income Quarter is All About
When more than 530 jobseekers walked into United Way’s Career Life Expo last February, they found 83 employers ready to talk about job opportunities. But day to day, many people can’t pursue such opportunities because of barriers such as lack of identification, incomplete education, lack of housing and no transportation. That’s why the Expo also…
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…
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