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About
Contact
Fran Dwight
Kalamazoo Middle Eastern music groups connect cultures and people
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Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Survivors of sex trafficking have a S.A.F.E. Place to go for support
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John Grap
Fran Dwight
Downpayment Assistance in Kalamazoo expands to help more people buy homes
Read Article
Courtesy Photo KNHS
Kalamazoo County Housing Millage portal opens for creative new solutions
Read Article
Fran Dwight
Fran Dwight
Calhoun County Administrator Kelli Scott looks ahead to 2023
Read Article
Fran Dwight
Kait Rose, one “Bad Mother,” making her voice heard throughout West Michigan
Read Article
Fran Dwight
Ride YourWay fills niche for wheelchair-accessible transportation service in West Michigan
Read Article
Fran Dwight
Features
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Longform
Kids and Education
For some first through fourth graders reading is hard, but SLD's multi-sensory approach helps
Casey Grooten
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Kalamazoo Youth Literacy Program SLD Read Seeks Tutors to help new young readers feel like school belongs to them, too. “Working with kids, you get more back than you give them,” says one tutor, calling it “a feel-good hour.”
Longform
Community Development
It's time for our annual round-up
Kathy Jennings
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
What were 2022’s most-read Southwest Michigan Second Wave’s stories? Read on to find out what you might have missed.
Longform
Diversity
Battle Creek's Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation continues to work for positive change
Jane Parikh
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
In five years, Battle Creek’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation has changed conversations and deepened relationships, as well as been a catalyst for positive change.
Feature Story
Technology and Innovation
Something to toot about: Kalamazoo has its own Mastodon server
Mark Wedel
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Mastodon has arrived in Kalamazoo! Is it a large extinct mammal or a local ‘instance’ that’s part of the fediverse? Correspondent Mark Wedel will help you decide.
Feature Story
Entrepreneurship
Southwest Michigan Second Wave ushers in 2023 with new editorial management
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Southwest Michigan Second Wave announces a change in editorial leadership as longtime Managing Editor Kathy Jennings expands her role with parent company Issue Media Group.
Feature Story
Second Wave - Michigan
Healthy Communities
Community mental health agency call lines connect Michiganders with local crisis care
Rylee Barnsdale
Tuesday, 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
Diversity
Kyra Wallace to leave the Southwestern Michigan Urban League In April
Jane Parikh
Tuesday, 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
Second Wave - Michigan
Economic Development
Issue Media Group launches new publication ‘The Helm’’ serving Greater Sandusky Region
Issue Media Group
Wednesday, 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
Equity
Currency readers available for Michiganders who are blind or visually impaired
Shandra Martinez
Monday, 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
Safe Communities
Voices of Youth: School violence, a photo story
Daniel Kibezi
Friday, 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
Healthy Communities
Voices of Youth: Teen mental health, a photo story
Plamedie Ekumbaki
Friday, 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
Safe Communities
Voices of Youth: In School Violence, a photo story
Habakuki Kibezi
Friday, 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
Rural Innovation Exchange
Community Development
Cassopolis: A village reimagined
Greg Tasker
Thursday, 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
Healthy Communities
No-cost mental health helps for those seeking a holistic approach
Zinta Aistars
Thursday, 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
Sustainability
Voices of Youth: Why teens should care about climate change, and what's being done locally
Conner McBride
Thursday, 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
Safe Communities
Voices of Youth: Schools try to improve safety. Some students and their families remain fearful
Regina Kibezi
Thursday, 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
Entrepreneurship
Apples of John Claridge’s eyes: Marcellus heirloom apple farm boasts 80 varieties
Channon Mondoux
Thursday, 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
Equity
Latest ALICE report suggests veterans' assistance is helping but work still needs to be done
Jane Simons
Thursday, 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
Healthy Communities
Milestone Senior Services helps elders stay in homes — one furnace, handrail, and ramp at a time
Al Jones
Thursday, 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
Building Communities
Home Start Initiative believes its approaches to affordable housing will help project move forward
Mark Wedel
Thursday, 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."
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Battle Creek
A call for foster families
There's a need for more foster care homes in Calhoun County, especially for youth who identify as LGBTQ+. A mom who has fostered more than 30 children talks about why her family keeps opening their home.
For the full story, click here
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For more stories, please visit here.
Kalamazoo
Home of her own
At one point, in a one-bedroom apartment on Vine Street Kathy White had seven kids living in that one-bedroom apartment. Her family members had nowhere else to live and so she took the in. After 50 years sharing her home with so many family members, she now has her own space. Many local residents double-up because the housing market makes it hard to find affordable housing.
Read the full story here.
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