Taylor Scamehorn
Taylor Scamehorn

Beyond belief: How faith communities are lighting the way on climate change Read Article

Artist: Taylor Scamehorn

A river runs through her: Bonnie Jo Campbell reflects on "The Waters" and whirlwind book tour Read Article

Features

Longform Shelby Coolbaugh, administrative assistant for the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (MLTCOP), and Salli Pung, state long term care omubdsman for MLTCOP. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Michigan ombudsman program advocates for residents in long-term care facilities

Estelle SlootmakerFriday, April 19, 2024
The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program improves quality of care and quality of life for people living in nursing homes, homes for the aged, and adult foster care homes. 
Longform Sacred Earth Sustainability

Beyond belief: How faith communities are lighting the way on climate change

Theresa Coty O'NeilThursday, April 18, 2024
In this first installment of our Sacred Earth series, we speak with Dr. Cybelle Shattuck, whose combined interests in sustainability and religion have helped her identify how faith institutions engage, support, and undertake earth care.
Feature Story Breastfeeding Healthy Communities

Expert support for breastfeeding mothers expands in Southwest Michigan

Jane ParikhThursday, April 18, 2024
Lactation Medicine is becoming a more recognized specialty given how integral breastfeeding is to infant and maternal health. Dr. Karen Garcia, a Newborn Hospitalist with the Bronson Hospital System, supports breastfeeding families in both Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties.
Longform Lawonda White Kids and Education

An Edison Dreamery: Trained childcare staff employed at early education centers across Kalamazoo

Mark WedelThursday, April 18, 2024
"Outside of work, they just love me, and I'm still teaching them outside of work, you know, how to behave.... Just looking out for the children and making sure that they feel safe in the community, and that they know there's somebody's always there if it's not at work or at the center.
Feature Story Nail Cancer Healthy Communities

Calling attention to nail cancer, an overlooked form of melanoma — one woman shares her story

Jane ParikhThursday, April 18, 2024
April is Melanoma Awareness Month. While nail cancer is rare, it is most prevalent among People of Color who tend not to get other melanomas. One Battle Creek woman who was diagnosed with nail cancer is raising awareness of the issue and its symptoms.
Feature Story Battle Creek Climate Sustainability

Voices of Youth: Plans for a sustainable Battle Creek

Pablo Camargo TangThursday, April 18, 2024
Voices of Youth Pablo Camargo Tang believes climate change is one of the most pressing issues of today. He wanted to find out what his community, Battle Creek, is doing to address the crisis.
Longform Bonnie Jo Campbell Arts and Culture

A river runs through her: Bonnie Jo Campbell reflects on "The Waters" and whirlwind book tour

Zinta AistarsThursday, April 11, 2024
“I’ve made so many great connections with all these events. I’ve met writers from across the world. But what I have really loved is that people close to me have appeared at readings. . .This book has put me together with old friends. That means the most.”
Feature Story Kyra Wallace Entrepreneurship

Love and Joy: How a Battle Creek nonprofit leader evolved into business owner and coach

Jane ParikhThursday, April 11, 2024
“It takes courage to leave what people would consider as safe to go out on my own. I revert back to my spirituality. I recognize that God is my source and my businesses are resources. I’m staying grounded in that and I don’t worry.”
Feature Story A Way Home Housing solutions Tiny Houses

Building hope: The Tiny Houses of HOPE project gets underway in Kalamazoo

Al JonesThursday, April 11, 2024
If you think it’s tough for most people to find affordable housing in an already tight housing market, try to find it when you have a criminal record, or when you have a history with substance or alcohol use. That's why HOPE thru Navigation is building Tiny Houses at North Street and Westnedge Avenue. They broke ground Thursday, April 4, 2024.
Feature Story Voices of Youth Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Body image disorder explored through verse journalism and art

Tanna BlilerThursday, April 11, 2024
Voices of Youth Tanna Bliler chose to use 'verse journalism,' a term coined by poet Gwendolyn Brooks, to relay stories that reflect the traumatic impacts of body image disorder and to call attention to the issue. 
Feature Story List Arts and Culture

Journey home eclipsed by eclipse and West Michigan Nice

Jane ParikhThursday, April 11, 2024
On the Ground's Jane Parikh wasn't quite in Southwest Michigan when she witnessed the eclipse. Nevertheless, she had an eclipse moment in the middle of a crowded airport and was reminded of the power of nature to bring us together.
Feature Story Lakeview Square Mall Economic Development

Voices of Youth: What's next for Lakeview Square Mall?

Mason AllenThursday, April 11, 2024
Voices of Youth's Mason Allen has been going to Lakeview Square Mall "before I can remember." But over the years, he has watched the mall struggle against what's being called the "retail apocalypse." Allen speaks with a Battle Creek official to learn what changes are underfoot.
Longform Dr. Theresa Hastert (right) helped develop the Michigan Community Outreach to Address Financial Toxicity (MI-COST). Ali Fakih (left) is a research assistant with MI-COST, and Cornelius Wilson (center) sits on its Community Advisory Board. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Here's how Michigan organizations are working to reduce cancer treatment's crushing financial burden

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, April 11, 2024
In Michigan, several efforts are underway to help cancer patients prepare for, manage, and alleviate the financial struggles associated with treatment.
Feature Story Enlightened Recovery Healthy Communities

Holistic recovery center for treating substance use disorders to open in Kalamazoo

Al JonesThursday, April 4, 2024
What's happening at the former nursing home on Alamo Avenue? It's soon to be the new home of Enlightened Recovery, a holistic substance use disorder rehab facility.
Feature Story Seaux Sundays Community Development

Sundays in Battle Creek, seaux boring, so not

Jane ParikhThursday, April 4, 2024
“Some people use Sundays to prepare for the week, I want to prepare in a completely different way. I want to expose people to things they may never have heard of before and bridge those gaps.”
Longform Mobility App Transportation

Electric vehicle Carshare program in Kalamazoo and Portage expands the mobility landscape

Mark WedelThursday, April 4, 2024
"We know that if we can reduce the cost of transportation, then that improves people's ability to afford quality housing or quality childcare or quality healthcare," says Matthew Hollander of the new EV car rental program in place at Edison's The Creamery.
Longform Kimberly Singh (right), Michigan Oral Health Coalition board member and chief community and governmental affairs officer for My Community Dental Centers, chats with Dental Assistant Kortney Jones. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Oral health care is inaccessible to many Michiganders. This coalition is working to change that.

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, April 4, 2024
The Michigan Oral Health Coalition brings together a multitude of Michigan oral and general health partners to collaborate on improving oral health for all Michiganders, especially those who have barriers to access. 
Longform Teacher helping child at NEST Child Care and Parent Institute in Detroit Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

خارطة طريق "التعليم ما قبل الابتدائي للجميع" تتخذ منهجًا شاملًا لإطلاق برنامج "التعليم ما قبل الاب

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaTuesday, April 2, 2024
في يناير 2023، أعلنت الحاكمة غريتشن ويتمر عن خطتها "التعليم ما قبل الابتدائي للجميع"، والتي ستوفر الوصول إلى التعليم ما قبل الابتدائي المجاني لجميع الأطفال البالغين من العمر أربع سنوات في ميشيغان بحلول عام 2027. في فبراير 2024، أصدرت دائرة التعليم مدى الحياة، التقدم، والإمكانيات في ميشيغان (MiLEAP) خطة الطريق مع توصيات حول كيف يمكن للولاية تحقيق هذا الهدف. شاركت مجموعة السياسات العادلة، وهي منظمة استشارية تعليمية في واشنطن العاصمة تركز على سياسات الرعاية والتعليم المبكرة، في تأليف خارطة الطريق.
Longform Robin Beasley is the director of Garden of Dreams Preschool inside First Congregational Church. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Tri-Share makes quality child care more affordable for working parents

Jaishree DrepaulTuesday, April 2, 2024
MI Tri-Share is a first-of-its-kind cost-sharing funding model. The state, the employee, and their employer each chip in for one-third of the price of child care.
Longform Josh Williams Community Development

Addressing the Gap: The need for increased mental health support for LGBTQ Michiganders

Valerie LegoTuesday, April 2, 2024
With all the positive work being done, the fact remains that 51% of LGBTQ Youth in Michigan are afraid to talk about their mental health with someone else. 
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Battle Creek

Laundry Love: Finding community and dignity at a Battle Creek laundromat

St. Thomas' Laundry Love is focused on those who are “struggling to make ends meet,” says Deacon Trish Harris. “There are people who have asked me, ‘How do you know if I meet the qualifications?’ We have no qualifications. We want them to know that we see you as an important person and we’re coming to you with love." For the full story, click here. For more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo's Sarkozy Bakery: Old world baking in an ever-changing world

"We had a liter bottle of Hungarian wine. As we were finishing the bread, and finishing the wine, we said, 'Man, this (bread) is good! You know, we could sell this!' And that's why you shouldn't drink too much." Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

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