Features

Longform On The Ground El Concilio new building

El Concillio celebrates new building, prepares for life under Trump, round two

Correspondent Mark Wedel recently visited El Concilio's new building to learn how much more work the organization can do for the community in the new location. But the sense that the coming years are going to be years of crisis kept intruding on the visit that included a serious discussion of what could be coming under a second Trump administration for the community El Concilio serves.

Longform Tech Savvy Seniors

Albion elders becoming Tech Savvy thanks to Albion College students

 “I feel like us just being present in areas that seniors utilize a lot is making them feel more comfortable. They may be a little wary and feel like we’re going to rush through it. Being empathetic and understanding of their experiences is how we get around this,” 

Feature Story Battle Creek Wanderland

Step into a Winter Wanderland in downtown Battle Creek

Battle Creek's Winter Wanderland celebrates the season and small businesses at Kellogg Arena on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 from 4 to 8 p.m.

Feature Story Voices of Youth

Voices of Youth: Classroom ‘Cozy Corner’ lets teens take emotional break

Pillows and nooks aren't just for elementary school classrooms. Adolescents also benefit from an inviting, comfy space to take a time out.  One Loy Norris High School teacher created a classroom Cozy Corner — and her students are benefiting. 

Longform Deb Messing oversees Sanilac County Community Mental Health communications efforts to the county's rural residents.

Rural mental health providers overcome stigma, rugged individualism, and distance to provide care

Here's how three Michigan community mental health agencies serving rural populations have found ways to meet their unique needs by developing innovative programs and effective outreach.

Feature Story Disability Network Southwest Michigan’s Kelly Linton, an ADA specialist and systems advocate working with Wheel the World, takes measurements.

How Wheel the World is changing accessibility in Kalamazoo, one business at a time

Kalamazoo businesses partner with Wheel the World and Disability Network Southwest Michigan to improve accessibility, creating inclusive spaces that welcome everyone.

Feature Story Housing Matters Update

Finding answers means discussion with those who are unsheltered, shelter representatives suggest

It's getting harder to operate a shelter for the unhoused as their numbers increase. Representatives of two of Kalamazoo's most recognizable shelters tell Housing Matters what might work to bring those numbers down. 

Feature Story small-karen

Advocate uses her experiences to help others with disabilities gain independence through work

Karen Wynne helps individuals with disabilities navigate the Ticket to Work program, empowering them to achieve independence and self-sufficiency.

Longform Housing Solutions Ransom Homes

It’s first-come first-served for four new houses in Kalamazoo’s Northside neighborhood

Prospective homeowners must be first-time home-buyers, pre-approved by a mortgage lender, represented by a Realtor, and have participated in at least one of three home-buying workshops conducted at NACD. Beyond that the process to obtain one of the four homes is first-come first-served.

Feature Story LGBTQ

Queer Activist in Battle Creek prepares to go silent to stay safe

Many in the LGBTQIA+ community are taking steps to protect themselves from the threat of Project 25 to roll back rights. As a response, one Queer Activist in Battle Creek plans to keep a low profile while reducing household expenses and getting important papers in order.

Feature Story Julius Stulberg

Kalamazoo's Stulberg string competition brings back medalist for golden anniversary

The Stulberg International String Competition has grown to be one of the world's premier young string players' competitions drawing more competitors each year and spawning impressive musical careers.  To celebrate its 50th, former medalist and violinist Rachel Barton Pine returns to Kalamazoo.

Feature Story Maya James

Subject to Review: Ed Genesis on the politics of hip-hop

Local hip-hop artist Ed Genesis recently presented a seminar on hip-hop through a social justice lens. Maya James, our social practice artist and writer, was there to 'review.' She also created a collage to accompany the piece.

Feature Story BC Pride

LGBTQIA+ community in Battle Creek works on plans to stay safe

Battle Creek Pride is helping people prepare for possible changes to LGBTQIA+ rights and addressing concerns by providing safe spaces and workshops that address practical matters, such as estate planning and protecting assets.

Feature Story BETA COHORT 4

Black Entrepreneur Training Academy celebrates fourth cohort

The Black Entrepreneur Training Academy uplifts Black entrepreneurs, helping to keep small business sector growth equitable  

Longform The students currently taking U-M School of Public Health course, Chatgpt/AI and Public Health.

Public health and AI: Great potential and a need for ethical policies

When applying AI to public health, great potentials exist for swifter, nimbler care and pin-pointed personalization. Its use also could exacerbate biases and the misuse of private information.  

Partner Content Elisabeth Berry and James D'Arcy

Legacy Society will sustain Autism Alliance of Michigan’s work for decades to come

AAoM is establishing its Legacy Society to recognize donors today for gifts that will provide dollars in perpetuity.

Feature Story Battle Creek Habitat for Humanity

After 15 years of rehabbing houses, Battle Creek Habitat for Humanity launches new builds

“I feel good about what we’re doing. It’s pretty exciting. For our families, it’s their house, their project, and their own stability that they’re building. We’re just helping them along the way.”

Longform Housing Solutions Soap and Hope laundry day

Soap and Hope: Advocates for the unhoused find a way to help with laundry day

Kalamazoo Together for the Unhoused raised enough money for around 91 people to get 2,600 pounds of laundry done. It's part of their mission to bring dignity to those who find themselves without permanent lodgings. 

Feature Story BC Pride Thanksgiving

Battle Creek Pride hosts Annual Holiday Dinner in November

“The dinner is needed more this year than ever given the results of the recent presidential election. Our LGBTQIA+ community is struggling and we need to gather together to show them that they do have support.”

Longform SWMI Journalism Collab Covid Cchort

La 'Cohorte COVID': Cómo el 'salto pandémico' está afectando a los jóvenes adultos

Tres años después del apogeo de la pandemia, a pesar de que la vida normal se ha reanudado por completo, algunos adultos jóvenes sienten que su edad mental y su etapa actual de la vida no coinciden con su edad cronológica. Así es como están ayudando los programas de preparación universitaria, la capacitación laboral y los servicios integrales individualizados.

Battle Creek

New leader of Battle Creek’s Burma Center talks challenges and opportunities

“My biggest passion and mission for the Burma Center is to empower our people and make these people valued in this community and make sure that their voices are heard so that they can thrive alongside other people here so they can be successful like other families." For the full story, click hereFor more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo's Healthy House for Women offers women in recovery a loving place to stay

"Our core values are to be sober, safe, and self-sufficient. I think there is a balance between self-sufficiency and community. I don’t want the women to think they can do everything by themselves.". Read the full story here. Read more stories here.