Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison.
Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison. Fran Dwight
Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison.
Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison. Fran Dwight

Voices of Youth: Racism is a hard lesson for young people in high school Read Article

Jaden Davis

Seeking a less stressful, elegant wedding option? Consider Elopement Day at Battle Creek farm Read Article

Courtesy: Of the Land

'We're all related, we're all connected': Many march for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Read Article

John Grap

Final Chapter: Kalamazoo remembers Dean Hauck and the legacy of Michigan News Read Article

Fran Dwight

Antique expert to share tips, tricks, and treasures at Battle Creek’s Regional History Museum Read Article

UnSplash: Alexander Schimmeck

Voices of Youth: Burnout in high school can happen, but you’re not alone Read Article

UnSplash: Nguyen Phan Nam Anh

Features

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Feature Story Call line staff working in the team room at Summit Pointe’s First Step Urgent Care. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Community mental health agency call lines connect Michiganders with local crisis care

Rylee BarnsdaleTuesday, January 10, 2023
A call to a local community mental health crisis line can sometimes be more direct and offer services that may not be available when calling 988 or MiCAL.
Feature Story On the Ground Battle Creek Human Relations Board Diversity

Kyra Wallace to leave the Southwestern Michigan Urban League In April

Jane ParikhTuesday, January 10, 2023
Longtime Southwestern Michigan Urban League President and CEO Kyra Wallace is preparing to leave after 17 years. But she’s committed to staying connected.
Feature Story Helm Ad Second Wave - MichiganEconomic Development

Issue Media Group launches new publication ‘The Helm’’ serving Greater Sandusky Region

Issue Media GroupWednesday, January 4, 2023
Issue Media Group is excited to announce the company’s latest online news platform – The Helm Sandusky. This publication will tell the stories of investment, innovation, entrepreneurship, and individuals that are shaping the Greater Sandusky Ohio region.
Feature Story The iBill Talking Banknote Identifier, is a small, handheld device that quickly identifies the bill’s denomination. Equity

Currency readers available for Michiganders who are blind or visually impaired

Shandra MartinezMonday, January 2, 2023
Michiganders who are blind or visually impaired can now apply to receive an audible currency reader at no cost through the Michigan Braille and Talking Book Library.
Longform Voices of Youth Daniel Fall 2022 Safe Communities

Voices of Youth: School violence, a photo story

Daniel KibeziFriday, December 30, 2022
This photo story features the work of Daniel Kibezi a student at Milwood Middle School in the sixth grade. This is Daniel’s second session with Kalamazoo Voices of Youth. He enjoys photography and uses this art form to explore the topic of policing in schools. 
Longform VOICES OF YOUTH KALAMAZOO MENTAL HEALTH Healthy Communities

Voices of Youth: Teen mental health, a photo story

Plamedie EkumbakiFriday, December 30, 2022
This story features the work of Plamedie Ekumbaki a freshman at Kalamazoo Central High School. She was drawn to youth mental health as a topic and illustrated it through pictures. 
Longform Voices of Youth In school violence 2022 Safe Communities

Voices of Youth: In School Violence, a photo story

Habakuki KibeziFriday, December 30, 2022
This photo story features the work of Habakuki Kibezi, who attends Loy Norrix High School. This is his first Voices of Youth Kalamazoo session. He chose photography to illustrate the problems and solutions associated with in school violence.
Longform Solar panels are part of the village's SMART Park. Rural Innovation ExchangeCommunity Development

Cassopolis: A village reimagined

Greg TaskerThursday, December 22, 2022
A rural community in southwestern Michigan looks for a brighter future, tapping grants and other monies to revamp its downtown and add new amenities, including a beach, a pier and a skate park.
Longform SWM Journalism Collaborative Healthy Communities

No-cost mental health helps for those seeking a holistic approach

Zinta AistarsThursday, December 22, 2022
A variety of holistic mental health options exist that are free or nearly so. Here is a roundup of research-proven ideas to increase well-being.
Longform Voices of Youth Kalamazoo Climate Sustainability

Voices of Youth: Why teens should care about climate change, and what's being done locally

Conner McBrideThursday, December 22, 2022
Climate change is a growing concern for both youth and adults. Our Voices of Youth correspondent examines what Kalamazoo is doing to protect the environment.
Longform Voices of Youth Safe Communities

Voices of Youth: Schools try to improve safety. Some students and their families remain fearful

Regina KibeziThursday, December 22, 2022
Safety measures and programs aimed at curbing gun violence among youth are in place and numbers of gun-related incidents in Kalamazoo are decreasing. Our Voices of Youth correspondent, Regina Kibezi, examines what’s being done about gun violence and how local youth are affected.
Longform Spirit Springs Farm Entrepreneurship

Apples of John Claridge’s eyes: Marcellus heirloom apple farm boasts 80 varieties

Channon MondouxThursday, December 22, 2022
For a living taste of history, visit Marcellus’ Spirit Springs Farm started by the late John Claridge. The 70-year-old orchard features over 80 heirloom apple varieties. A new generation of the family is keeping the spirit alive in the orchard. And those who tour the land appreciate its unique offerings.   
Longform On the Ground Battle Creek ALICE VETS Equity

Latest ALICE report suggests veterans' assistance is helping but work still needs to be done

Jane SimonsThursday, December 22, 2022
A recently released report from the Michigan Association of United Ways (MAUW) and its research partner, United For ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)  veterans' needs outstrip available resources, especially those struggling financially.
Longform Housing Solutions Milestone Senior Services Healthy Communities

Milestone Senior Services helps elders stay in homes — one furnace, handrail, and ramp at a time

Al JonesThursday, December 22, 2022
Milestone Senior Services administers several programs and services to help seniors and the disabled live independently, including home repairs and the installation of safety features. “They really care,” one senior says. “A lot of people might come in and do something. But these people really care.”
Longform Housing Solutions Playgrown Home Start update Building Communities

Home Start Initiative believes its approaches to affordable housing will help project move forward

Mark WedelThursday, December 22, 2022
Services from financial education to emotional health and daycare are part of the package that is Playgrown Home Start, a community of 10 homes near what was once a tent encampment of the unhoused. The project is seeking funding and the project leader says: "I have faith in our grantors, I have faith, I have so much faith in this project and our team."  
Longform SWMI Journalism Collaborative Low Cost Treatment Healthy Communities

Ayudas a la salud mental sin costo para quienes buscan un enfoque holístico

Zinta AistarsThursday, December 22, 2022
Los enfoques holísticos de la salud mental y el bienestar han ganado popularidad en la cultura occidental y atraen a aquellos que buscan un enfoque diferente para sentirse mejor.
Development News Lexington Park renovations Arts and Culture

Two Southwest Michigan parks awarded grants for big upgrades

Rosemary ParkerThursday, December 22, 2022
The Lexington Green Park Improvement Project in Portage and the Dr. Lawless International Dark Sky Park in Cass are two projects in Southwest Michigan selected to receive federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grants.
Feature Story JBS donates to Boys & Girls Clubs Kids and Education

JBS Hometown Strong program gives $1 million to Kalamazoo area's Boys & Girls Clubs for new building

Rosemary ParkerThursday, December 22, 2022
The $1 million gift, part of the JBS Hometown Strong program, nudges Boys & Girls Clubs close to its $9 million goal to build a facility that will replace what was the Lake Street unit and headquarters in Kalamazoo.
Feature Story Robert Sheehan, executive director of the Community Mental Health Association of Michigan Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Here’s good news for Michiganders’ mental health: Community mental health delivers cutting-edge care

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, December 20, 2022
Michigan's community mental health agencies lead the nation in innovation, serve all 83 counties, and help Michiganders of all ages access the mental health supports they need.
Feature Story Children share a holiday greeting in Sign Language during their photo with Signing Santa. (DHHS) Equity

Signing Santa brings inclusive holiday cheer to kids with hearing loss

Shandra MartinezTuesday, December 20, 2022
 For more than a decade, DHHS has hosted Signing Santa for children who are deaf and hard of hearing so they can more fully experience the holiday tradition.
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Battle Creek

Village Network leads work to create a Black Wall Street in Battle Creek 

Plans for launching a Black Wall Street movement in Battle Creek will include a Black-owned business directory and two new websites with a mission to create "collective independence." For more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Joyful Streets, Real-world Struggles: "Happy Cities" author on the journey to transform Kalamazoo 

"What I've noticed in Kalamazoo is, that the city has been taking action to make some changes that in the short term some people might find uncomfortable, but in the long term are going to set the city on course for more vitality, more health, more equity, and I would say more happiness for the people who choose to live here."  Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

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