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 Galillee Baptist Church Community Development

Galilee Baptist Church clears the way for $7M housing development on Kalamazoo’s Northside

Al JonesThursday, February 15, 2024
Galilee Baptist Church moves ahead with plans to develop housing across the street from the church’s longtime location, with hopes of breaking ground later this year on two large apartment buildings. 
Feature Story Representative Jim Haadsma Safe Communities

Battle Creek leaders reflect on Jennifer Crumbley verdict and Michigan's new gun legislation

Jane ParikhThursday, February 15, 2024
“How many people along the way saw warning signs with Ethan (Crumbley) and felt like it was not their place to say anything? We need to support each other in this thing called parenting. Parenting is hard and we all need each other to get through it.”
Feature Story League of Women Voters Community Development

Cause for trust: Kalamazoo's League of Women Voters protecting democracy for everyone

Mark WedelThursday, February 15, 2024
"At the 2020 presidential election, I was observing the Kalamazoo County Board of Canvassers.... They spent an entire hour because there was a one-vote discrepancy in one of the precincts." When they figured out the discrepancy, "everybody broke out into applause."
Longform Child at NEST Child Care and Parent Institute in Detroit Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Michigan makes the leap to improved educational opportunities with MiLEAP

Jaishree Drepaul-BruderTuesday, February 13, 2024
MiLEAP consolidates the expansion of Pre-K for All, Sixty by 30, which would see 60% of working-age Michiganders with a postsecondary degree or certificate by 2030, and all education in between. 
Feature Story Kendall College of Art and Design partnered with Corewell Health to bring a little artistic joy to the hospital's Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion.

Art and Healing: Collaborative project at Corewell Health's cancer pavilion

Laura BergellsTuesday, February 13, 2024
What happened when students from the Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University partnered with Corewell Health to bring the healing power of art to the Cancer Pavilion.
Feature Story virtual job fair image Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Virtual Job Fair represents 40+ employers seeking behavioral health services professionals

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, February 13, 2024
The Community Mental Health Association of Michigan (CMHA) is sponsoring a Behavioral Health Services Virtual Job Fair 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 21, 2024. 
Longform J.R. Reynolds Diversity

Battle Creek Did Not Burn: Documentary chronicles local events after MLK's assasination

Jane ParikhThursday, February 8, 2024
While other communities experienced riots and destruction during the aftermath of MLK's assassination, Battle Creek didn't — thanks to the coordinating efforts of local folks and the NAACP. A new documentary features the story of civil rights in the city.
Longform SHALOM Community Development

SHALOM: A farm full of possibilities for people with disabilities

Zinta AistarsThursday, February 8, 2024
Just minutes from Kalamazoo sits a picturesque farm with grazing animals and several outbuildings — a woolery, coffee shop, thrift store, wood shop, and sugar shack. This is SHALOM, a unique Christian caring community that provides housing, and social and educational opportunities for adults and some youths who have physical, developmental, emotional, and mental disabilities.
Feature Story Boonikka and Khyrinn Herring Diversity

Elevating youth to leadership in Battle Creek is focus of new consulting business

Jane ParikhThursday, February 8, 2024
“A lot of our leadership is in the 55-plus age range and a lot of times we’re missing the youth voice because that’s what not what we’re actively seeking out. . . We’re making sure that we’re listening to our youth because they have great experiences.”
Longform Housing Solutions Zone 32 update Community Development

Young developer plans second phase of affordable housing in Kalamazoo’s Northside neighborhood

Al JonesThursday, February 8, 2024
Zone 32 is the name of the new residential and commercial complex owned by Bogan Developments Pitcher Street. Taking its name from the number Jamauri Bogan wore on the football field at the complex, the building began welcoming residents in December.
Feature Story Artist Job Fair Arts and Culture

Kalamazoo Artist Job Fair gives artists chance to apply their talents to the art of business

Mark WedelThursday, February 8, 2024
Kalamazoo has a plethora of arts organizations and a rich array of artists. The Artist Job Fair, sponsored by the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo and KRESA's Education for the Arts, is bringing the two together for a networking extravaganza at Bells Eccentric Cafe.
Feature Story Early Voting Community Development

Starting with this month’s primary election, Kalamazoo County residents can vote early in-person

Al JonesThursday, February 8, 2024
Throughout Kalamazoo County, you no longer have to request an absentee ballot or fight the crowds to cast your vote early. Thanks to the passing of Proposition 22, residents can vote in-person up to 9 days early, but only at four designated county sites. Find out more here.
Feature Story Hayden-small Kids and Education

4 rising talents in West Michigan design

Shandra MartinezWednesday, February 7, 2024
Four designers, a mix of students and graduates of KCAD, were recently honored for their work in the field. Hayden Prillwitz, Imane Hocini,  Kyle Sutton, and Ian Wardowski talk about their passion for design and their plans for the future.   
Longform About one out of five children have a mental, emotional or behavioral health disorder, and only about 20 percent of those children receive care Kids and Education

How Michigan counties are stepping up to meet youth mental health needs

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaTuesday, February 6, 2024
Over the past several years, Michigan's community mental health agencies have been stepping up with a number of initiatives to help fill the gap in mental health services for youth.
Longform Sarkozy Bakery Entrepreneurship

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

Mark WedelThursday, February 1, 2024
"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."
Feature Story Youth TRHT Diversity

Voices of Youth: Calhoun County students gather at Youth Summit to envision a future without racism

Jane ParikhThursday, February 1, 2024
“I’ve always been the kid who if something gets said by an adult, I’m always the one to question it. It’s more so with extended family that racism is more of an issue and a controversial subject. It’s important to communicate. A lot of it is thought about but never said. It’s like the elephant in the room.”
Feature Story The Starlite Collective Arts and Culture

Kalamazoo's Starlite Collective welcomes a constellation of diverse artists and artisans

Casey GrootenThursday, February 1, 2024
“The stars are all connected — one big body of untouchable balls of light millions of years old. I wanted people to be able to be stars and know they hold their own potential to shine bright just like our sky when we look up. Hence our motto: 'You Hold the Light.'"
Feature Story Texas Roadhouse Healthy Communities

Stolen silence: Tinnitus Awareness Week in Kalamazoo

Mike WenningerThursday, February 1, 2024
“It makes me sad that I probably will never experience silence again because I really like silence. I like quiet, and now if I’m out walking in the woods by myself I would like to just be in the quiet."
Feature Story Kids n Stuff Kids and Education

Day Tripper: Children's play museum draws families to Albion

Jane ParikhThursday, February 1, 2024
“Kids ‘N’ Stuff is special because it’s something families can do in the winter inside. . .We want people to come to Kids ‘N’ Stuff and get cookies at the local bakery or a burger at Albion Malleable Brewing. There’s enough to do here that you could make it a day trip or an overnight staycation."
Partner Content The Grand Rapids location will expand AAoM’s Upbound Staffing employment program. Second Wave - MichiganCommunity Development

Upbound Staffing creates inclusive connections for employers and job seekers

Joseph GoralTuesday, January 30, 2024
Upbound Staffing helps prepare job candidates living with autism for all parts of a career search and assists businesses in making their work environments more inclusive.
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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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