Taylor Scamehorn
Taylor Scamehorn

Beyond belief: How faith communities are lighting the way on climate change Read Article

Artist: Taylor Scamehorn

A river runs through her: Bonnie Jo Campbell reflects on "The Waters" and whirlwind book tour Read Article

Features

Load More Stories
Feature Story Roel Garcia is an adjunct professor at Grand Rapids Community College as well as an English as a second language instructor at Zeeland Adult Education. Equity

How a teacher regained his independence after losing his sight

Roel GarciaMonday, March 18, 2024
Roel Garcia shares how the loss of most of his sight in high school turned his world upside down before he figured out how to adapt to his disability. He graduated from college, became a journalist, and now is a teacher. 
Feature Story small-jocelyn Equity

Author to keynote West Michigan Disability Awareness Day celebration

Shandra MartinezFriday, March 15, 2024
Author and advocate Jocelyn Dettloff will speak about disability and mental health, the theme of the Disability Awareness Day event on March 22. 
Longform First Presbyterian Community Development

What's behind the big red doors? Sanctuary in the city

Mike WenningerThursday, March 14, 2024
Kalamazoo's First Presbyterian Church borders Bronson Park and its weekly Red Door Dinners provide homecooked meals and hospitality for the unhoused and others in need. “Our congregation seeks to live faith as a sanctuary in the city, with the city, for the city, and others far beyond." This story is part of our Faith in Action series, sponsored by the Fetzer Institute.
Feature Story R.I.S.E. Community Development

Community Centers in Battle Creek awarded $1.5 million in State funding

Jane ParikhThursday, March 14, 2024
Three community centers in Battle Creek were awarded over $1.5 million of State funding to "ensure that more than 100,000 Michiganders already living in poverty have access to better food and living conditions, transportation, and childcare opportunities."
Feature Story Maya James Arts and Culture

What is a social practice artist? Kalamazoo's Maya James, a movement pioneer, explains

Maya JamesThursday, March 14, 2024
Meet Southwest Michigan Second Wave's newest writer and artist, Maya James, Art Prize Vanguard winner and trailblazer who has been following her own unique path only to discover there is a name for what she does — social practice art. And she may well be a 'mother of a movement' that she invites you to join.
Feature Story Rain barrel Sustainability

April showers bring rain barrels to catch them in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, March 14, 2024
Saving April showers for drier months is easy with a rain barrel, which both helps conserve water and capture storm runoff. In April, the City of Battle Creek is selling rain barrels and composting containers to help reduce environmental impact.
Feature Story Housing Matters Kalamazoo Housing Solutions A Way Home Community Development

Housing Matters Kalamazoo: Learning, dialogue, relationships based on affordable housing solutions

Mark WedelThursday, March 14, 2024
The people behind Housing Matters are volunteers. Together with local officials and area agencies, they are looking for what's next in terms of getting and keeping people housed in Kalamazoo County. 
Feature Story Olivet Forensics Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: After-school forensics program builds community and confidence

Sophia PellThursday, March 14, 2024
After-school activities like forensics offer students ways to express themselves that are part debate, part performance art. Voices of Youth Sophia Pell takes a look at how Olivet High School's forensics and theater programs help students increase confidence and connect with youth throughout the state.
Feature Story mentalhealth Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health: Building trust and improving health

Karen GentryTuesday, March 12, 2024
Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health partners with community mental health providers in Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties. 
Longform NACD Community Development

Northside director says 'We the people' will continue to push for justice, liberty, and tranquility

Al JonesThursday, March 7, 2024
As a youth, she was known to stick up for other kids. Now she has a neighborhood of 11,000 to protect and tend. Elizabeth Washington, the Northside's new director, declares she will be working to increase "contributions and opportunities" for all.
Longform New Harvest Christian Center Kids and Education

Access to free training boosts number of certified Early Childhood Educators in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, March 7, 2024
“I have been looking for love for my whole life. Just somebody to unconditionally love me and the kids give me that. I can’t wait to go to work every day to see those kids.”
Feature Story Notre Dame Study Community Development

A tale of two cities: South Bend has been where Kalamazoo is now and the future is promising

Mark WedelThursday, March 7, 2024
'Quieting' downtown streets is a noisy process. Change can be unsettling. Ask any Kalamazoo resident. But South Bend, Ind. has completed the transition of urban one ways to two ways. The results are encouraging: downtown reinvestment, beautification projects, and increased community pride.
Feature Story Wimee Kids and Education

Wimee the Robot to help celebrate National Reading Month at Willard Library

Jane ParikhThursday, March 7, 2024
“I think we’re ahead of our time. We had an earlier mindset of creating and inspiring kids to see their words become images and that’s when we built Wimee, a robot with the personality of a young kid."
Longform Cafe Rica Vigil Safe Communities

Community holds vigil after shooting inside beloved Battle Creek coffee shop

John GrapThursday, March 7, 2024
Gun violence rocks a community, especially when it takes place inside a well-loved establishment. In Battle Creek on February 15, 2024, an officer was wounded and a Texas man shot dead in a police altercation in Cafe Ricá. Residents, clergy, and local leaders organized a vigil to offer healing and support. 
Feature Story SMALL-Acasiatrains Equity

Nursing training gives career path to those with disabilities

Shandra MartinezSunday, March 3, 2024
Certified nursing assistant training is being offered in Kalamazoo and Benton Harbor, giving people with disabilities an opportunity to earn their credentials for free.
Feature Story Small-downtown-aerial Equity

Discover Kalamazoo to use state grant to show community’s accessibility to travelers

Shandra MartinezFriday, March 1, 2024
Kalamazoo will partner with Wheel the World and Disability Network Southwest Michigan to map at least 130 locations across the county to show potential tourists the region’s accessibility. 
Feature Story Small-John-Miller Economic Development

Brewery’s new summer offerings reflect growth of region’s agribusiness

Shandra MartinezWednesday, February 28, 2024
Allegan County-based Saugatuck Brewing Company, which has grown into one of Michigan's largest independently owned craft breweries, is aiming to grow its market share even more with a new Shandy Variety Pack.
Longform Melvin Henley Second Wave - MichiganBuilding Communities

Growing Michigan Together Council addresses housing and other concerns across the state

Sarah SpohnTuesday, February 27, 2024
Established by Governor Whitmer, the Growing Michigan Together Council works to develop a long-term plan of action to address many issues of concern across the state. Different goals include jobs, talent, and people; infrastructure and places; PreK-12 and higher education, and revenue. Block by Block spoke with the Executive Director of the Growing Michigan Together Council and Michigan’s first Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe, and Melvin Henley at Community Economic Development Association of Michigan to hear about the council’s report.   
Longform Belinda Orozco Community Development

Safe space at Battle Creek’s Voces helps immigrants navigate legal landscape

Jane ParikhThursday, February 22, 2024
“We have had generations of people who have emigrated from their native countries and established themselves here (in Battle Creek). It’s a safe and embracing community.”
Longform Orchestra Jammbo'laya Arts and Culture

Orchestra Jammbo'laya offers feast of music from African diaspora for under-served BIPOC youth

Zinta AistarsThursday, February 22, 2024
“We wanted to explore the African diaspora esthetics of music. And while anyone can join, our hope is to encourage underserved Black youth in our community to explore instrumental music by Black composers from the Americans, the Caribbean, Europe, from anywhere."
Load More Stories

Battle Creek

Laundry Love: Finding community and dignity at a Battle Creek laundromat

St. Thomas' Laundry Love is focused on those who are “struggling to make ends meet,” says Deacon Trish Harris. “There are people who have asked me, ‘How do you know if I meet the qualifications?’ We have no qualifications. We want them to know that we see you as an important person and we’re coming to you with love." For the full story, click here. For more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

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

"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." Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

Recommended Content

Sponsored By
Regions
Focus Areas
Copyright © Issue Media Group. All rights reserved.