No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000.
No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000. Fran Dwight
No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000.
No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000. Fran Dwight

Voices of Youth: Shaped by the scroll — when likes define life Read Article

No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000.
Photo: No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000. Fran Dwight

As sponsors pull back, community organizations step up to support Battle Creek’s Pride Festival Read Article

Courtesy, BC Pride

Teens and mental health: The emotions beneath the behaviors Read Article

Cottonbro via Pexels.com

Voices of Youth: Death of transgender man Sam Nordquist raises concern for safety of trans youth Read Article

No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000.
Photo: No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000. Fran Dwight

Battle Creek man covets Michigan Works! award as he waits for his green card Read Article

Courtesy: Michigan Works! Southwest
No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000.
No Kings protest in Kalamazoo drew over 7,000. Fran Dwight

Features

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Feature Story Jordan Hamilton Arts and Culture

Fantastic Beats to open Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-25 season

Jane ParikhThursday, September 26, 2024
The Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra's opening concert on Oct. 5 will feature "Fantastic Beats," including the “Game of Thrones” orchestra suite, “Star Trek Into Darkness,” and “Symphonic Suite from Lord of the Rings."
Longform David Harris Homeowner A Way Home Housing Solutions Building Communities

From unhoused to homeowner: David Harris says connection makes the difference

Mark WedelThursday, September 26, 2024
"Some days it doesn't feel real." That's the reaction David Harris has when he surveys the house that he now calls his own after years of being unhoused. 
Partner Content Parents indicated that needed services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and paraprofessional support were inadequate. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Survey activates education advocacy for Michigan children with disabilities

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, September 24, 2024
Special Education Experience (SEE) survey results revealed that needed improvements in special education that the state identified in 2014 have not been made.  
Longform Joe Volpe, program manager at Ferndale's Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Mental health takes heavy toll on Michigan's LGBTQ youth

Estelle SlootmakerMonday, September 23, 2024
Mental health is a major challenge for Michigan youth in general, but the problem is even greater for the state's LGBTQ youth.
Longform Equine Therapy SWMI Journalism Collaborative Youth Mental Health Arts and Culture

Mientras los jóvenes enfrentan problemas de salud mental, el tratamiento de caballos ayuda

por Julie Mack Monday, September 23, 2024
La terapia asistida por caballos, en la que un terapeuta de salud mental tiene formación adicional para usar caballos como parte del plan de tratamiento, es una modalidad que parece estar en expansión por todo el país. Esto es particularmente cierto en la era post-Covid, ya que el número de niños diagnosticados con ansiedad, depresión o ambas ha aumentado considerablemente.
Longform Equine Therapy SWMi Journalism Collab Healthy Communities

As youth struggle with mental health, treatment using horses is helping

Julie MackMonday, September 23, 2024
Equine-assisted therapy, in which a mental health clinician has additional training to use horses as part of the treatment plan, is a modality that is on the rise across the nation. That’s particularly true in the post-COVID era, as the number of children diagnosed with anxiety or depression or both has skyrocketed.
Feature Story Disability Network West Michigan (DNWM) is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a block party. Equity

Disability Network West Michigan marks 25 years of advocacy and service

Shandra MartinezMonday, September 23, 2024
DNWM is celebrating the milestone with a block party outside its Muskegon offices on Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature food, music, and a tour of its facility.
Feature Story SHARE Healthy Communities

Calhoun County makes first disbursement of opioid settlement funds

Jane ParikhThursday, September 19, 2024
“I work at ground zero not one person who walks in that SHARE Center is on a winning streak," says Matthew Jones, a recovering heroin addict and Peer Support Recovery Coach.
In The News Enlightened Recovery Center Healthy Communities

State-of-the-art, holistic addiction treatment facility schedules opening in Kalamazoo

Al JonesThursday, September 19, 2024
"We’ve created a program and an atmosphere where individuals can heal their mind, body, and soul — and ultimately, find a path to lasting recovery."  
Feature Story Troy Huggett Healthy Communities

Battle Creek personal fitness trainer sets his own PR serving clients for 40 years

Jane ParikhThursday, September 19, 2024
With 40 years of experience, Personal Trainer Troy Huggett has developed his own formula for personal fitness — and his high-intensity training method takes only 15 minutes two or three times a week.
Feature Story Climate Voter Sustainability

What does it mean to be a Climate Voter? More than you thinkClimate Civics focus of 2024 Michigan Climate Summit

Theresa Coty O'NeilThursday, September 19, 2024
"The vast majority of Michiganders not only believe in climate change, they are concerned about it. There's no way you get to 72 percent of Michiganders without crossing partisan lines."
In The News Vicky Kettner, Association Director of Marketing, Community Relations, and Member Engagement for the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo Diversity

Kalamazoo YMCA welcomes newcomer immigrants and community members with multi-ethnic events

Thursday, September 19, 2024
The Maple Street YMCA honors Welcoming Week by inviting newcomer immigrants and other community members to a multicultural dance class and ethnic dessert reception.
Longform Elizabeth Agius Second Wave - MichiganEconomic Development

Michigan organizations, universities, and agencies growing the public health workforce

Monique BedfordTuesday, September 17, 2024
Michigan, as well as the rest of the world, is going through a health care workforce shortage. The Michigan Health Council’s (MHC) Michigan Health Care Workforce Index projects that nearly all 36 health care occupations will experience workforce shortages between now and 2033.
Longform GHS Urgent Care Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Funding gap threatens care for Michiganders utilizing community mental health

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, September 17, 2024
Michigan’s community mental health agencies face deep revenue gaps this year — a projected $93 million.
Feature Story SugarBowl Arts and Culture

From neighborhood 'dive bar' to eclectic music venue, Edison's SugarBowl is pretty sweet

Mark WedelThursday, September 12, 2024
"There is a type of performance that, maybe you're not going to buy the record, but you feel lucky to be seeing people doing art that you've never seen before. It's like seeing a strange animal in the wild. Fascinating, amazing, but don't pet that thing, it might bite."
Feature Story Masa Center Diversity

Providing opportunities in Battle Creek for Hispanic and MiXcano youth to learn history and culture

Jane ParikhThursday, September 12, 2024
Masa Center is offering educational opportunities, including an Emerging Leadership Program, for Hispanic and MiXicanos (Xicanx/Mexicans living in Michigan) youth in Battle Creek.
Feature Story Life Well Lived Arts and Culture

What makes A Life Well Lived? Kalamazoo series aims to inspire intergenerational discussion

Mark WedelThursday, September 12, 2024
"The events we have planned for the coming months as part of 'A Life Well Lived — Kalamazoo' will challenge us to think about what is genuinely good for us in our relationships, our work, and our life projects."
Feature Story Ramone Jay Person Arts and Culture

Feeling #Solid: Battle Creek musician helps heal losses by creating and helping others create

Jane ParikhThursday, September 12, 2024
“I feel like music is the universal language of love and peace," says Ramone Jay Person (#Solid) who has been composing, creating, and mentoring his way through the tragic loss of three family members to violence.
Longform Racism barrier to housing A Way Home Housing Solutions Building Communities

Confronting racism's impact on affordable housing access in Kalamazoo

Caroline BissonnetteThursday, September 12, 2024
The enduring impact of racism on affordable housing in Kalamazoo illustrates a direct link between past injustices and present-day housing struggles.
Feature Story Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) training for staff at Muskegon Luge and Adventure Sports Park. Pictured from left to right: Jeff VanDyke and Brad Hastings. Equity

Accessibility champion recognized for impact in Muskegon community

Shandra MartinezWednesday, September 11, 2024
Brad Hastings, advocacy and outreach coordinator at Disability Network West Michigan, is honored with Muskegon’s Future 15 Award for his work in disability advocacy and improving community accessibility.
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Battle Creek

Former local shelter transforms into lifeline for Southwest Michigan Veterans

“We are the only Veterans organization in Southwest Michigan doing what we’re doing. I like to call us a neutral spot. We don’t care what branch of the service you were in or what your discharge status is. People I’ve talked to have said it’s about time." For more On the Ground Battle Creek stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Helping Vets in Kalamazoo who were 'smoked by life'


In 2024, 32,882 veterans experienced homelessness in the United States, and 68 of those were in Kalamazoo County, though local officials say they are sure that number has since increased. Many unhoused veterans don’t know there are benefits and programs that can help. Here’s how to get connected.Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

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