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 Housing Solutions Market Forces Economic Development

Market forces among barriers to overcome as community searches for more affordable housing

Mark WedelThursday, May 23, 2024
When you dig into the causes behind the lack of affordable housing in Kalamazoo County it turns out one of the big ones is there are not enough houses to meet the demand. 
Feature Story small-jae-gerhart Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Cómo los sistemas locales de salud aprovechan las granjas locales para obtener opciones de alimentos

Kelsey SandersWednesday, May 22, 2024
Instituciones médicas de todo Michigan están utilizando sus recursos locales para llevar alimentos reales a su personal y pacientes.
Partner Content AAoM Kids List Second Wave - MichiganEquity

When it comes to autism and mental health, stigma and discrimination play a huge role

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, May 21, 2024
Being autistic does not mean a person cannot experience good mental health. However, studies have shown that 78% of autistic children have at least one mental health condition. Stigma and discrimination are often a contributing factor.
Feature Story Columnist Lucia Rios Equity

Event accessibility: Making every occasion inclusive for all

Lucia RiosTuesday, May 21, 2024
It’s not hard to bring inclusivity and accessibility to your events, but it does require a bit of foresight. Disability advocate Lucia Rios offers ideas to make your gathering more welcoming.
Longform Sacred Earth Sustainability

Grounded: How art, faith, and ecology unite to 'touch the heart' and inspire changeWestminster Art Festival going on now

Zinta AistarsThursday, May 16, 2024
When it comes to climate change, science appeals to the mind, but art can touch the heart. To create change, we need both. The Westminster Presbyterian Art Festival unites earth care, art, and faith for its annual celebration.
Feature Story One possible way the river could look if it were freed from its concrete channel. Sustainability

Rising tide of optimism eddies around Battle Creek river naturalization project

Jane ParikhThursday, May 16, 2024
Rivers are often urban areas' greatest natural resources. In Battle Creek, plans to restore, beautify, and re-imagine the Battle Creek River are taking shape, thanks to many partners.
Feature Story Kalamazoo Commuter Challenge Healthy Communities

Kalamazoo Commuter Challenge encourages new cyclists to Love to Ride to work

Mark WedelThursday, May 16, 2024
With new bike lanes and lights installed in downtown Kalamazoo, it's time for cyclists to test them out. If you work downtown or nearby, consider joining the Kalamazoo Commuter Challenge taking place from May 17 to 30.
Feature Story BC Bagpipes Arts and Culture

Midwest bagpipers and drummers skirl and snare together in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, May 16, 2024
An opportunity to hear the ethereal sound of bagpipes and drums happens this Saturday at the Cricket Club in Battle Creek. The Greater Midwest Pipe Band (which has a home base in BC) is preparing for the prestigious World Pipe Band Championships this August.  
Feature Story Roel Garcia walks into the Library for the Visually Impaired and Physically Disabled in Muskegon. Building Communities

Step inside an award-winning library for people with disabilities

Roel GarciaWednesday, May 15, 2024
Roel Garcia shares what it's like to visit the Library for the Visually Impaired and Physically Disabled in Muskegon. Part of the Muskegon Area District Library, it is a fully functioning library specializing in additional services for people with disabilities.
Longform Robert Sheehan and colleague, Valerie Jamerson, take a look at the new Tool Kit. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Social Work Career Promotion Tool Kit shares benefits and pathways to rewarding careers

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaTuesday, May 14, 2024
The toolkit is designed to enhance recruitment and promote social work career opportunities across the state. It includes sample language for websites, emails, and social media posts as well as recommended language for various professionals, including high school guidance counselors, college academic advisors, and behavioral health providers. There are also photographic materials for outreach usage.   
Longform Still Hope Boxing Safe Communities

BC's Still Hope Boxing teaches mothers and daughters to cross, jab, bob and weave together

Jane ParikhThursday, May 9, 2024
In honor of Mother's Day, Still Hope Boxing offered mothers and daughters a chance to learn some boxing skills together — for self-protection, fun, and bonding
Feature Story Kalamazoo Lyceum Arts and Culture

Kalamazoo Lyceum: Intentionality, commitment, communication key ingredients for creating community

Mark WedelThursday, May 9, 2024
Community is where you are and what you cultivate, according to panel members at the Kalamazoo Lyceum. Writer Mark Wedel was there to be your 'fly on the wall' for a discussion on 'Hope for the Community.'
Feature Story Battle Creek Community Foundation CEO Community Development

New Battle Creek Community Foundation CEO Mary Muliett grateful to now work where she lives

Jane ParikhThursday, May 9, 2024
Mary Mullett, Battle Creek Community Foundation's new CEO and President, says she's grateful to be working in her own community where she can deepen connections and "help alleviate barriers" so people can "realize their potential."
Feature Story DECA Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: How DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in the art of business

Anas ElkafrawyThursday, May 9, 2024
In its 78th year, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), an international after-school club, continues to provide local youth with opportunities to develop products and apps, market, present their ideas, and prepare for their futures.
Longform Sara Simmonds and staff Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

The many faces of public health

Monique BedfordTuesday, May 7, 2024
The work of employees of the public health departments is heavily based on the communities they serve and the safety of the people that live in them. Prevention, protection and promotion is the name of the game for the workforce in this field.   
Feature Story Kalamazoo Jail Ministry Healthy Communities

Kalamazoo Jail Ministry offers 'radical acceptance,' resources, and hope

Zinta AistarsThursday, May 2, 2024
“We don’t push religion at all. We have magazines, art books, whatever they need. Our job is to serve and to love."
Feature Story Sojourner Truth Choir Arts and Culture

Inner City Music Proving Arts Can Teach makes huge IMPACT in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, May 2, 2024
Battle Creek IMPACT is a free music education program that features the Sojourner Truth Choir, along with drums and piano instruction. About 85 percent of the students represent the area’s African American, Burmese, and Latinx communities. "We train kids and give them the opportunity to go out in the community to share their gifts and talents."
Feature Story Gun Violence Safe Communities

Kalamazoo panel: How to decrease gun violence

Al JonesThursday, May 2, 2024
“It’s not a meeting telling people, ‘You need to do this, or you need to do that.’ It’s each one of us looking at ourselves and asking what can we do and then will we do that?”
Feature Story Native Plantings Sustainability

Local synagogues and churches rewilding to welcome migratory flocks and other creatures

Mike WenningerThursday, May 2, 2024
“One of the reasons I enjoy doing native planting is because it sequesters carbon and helps the ground absorb more water. If we’re taking care of the planet, we need to take care of the soil and the creatures on the planet, and native plantings are one of the most immediate visible ways to do that."
In The News Dr. Tino Smith Community Development

Planned closure of overnight Battle Creek Shelter has local faith leader looking for solutions

Jane ParikhThursday, May 2, 2024
After three years in operation, the Battle Creek Shelter is slated to close. Dr. Tino Smith of Kingdom Builders Worldwide, the current operator of the shelter, is seeking funding.
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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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