Youth murals on display at Kik Pool
Youth murals on display at Kik Pool Fran Dwight
Youth murals on display at Kik Pool
Youth murals on display at Kik Pool Fran Dwight
Battle Creek Community Foundation’s Lynn Gray speaks with volunteer Helen Ostien at the American Red Cross’s volunteer training on June 12.
Battle Creek Community Foundation’s Lynn Gray speaks with volunteer Helen Ostien at the American Red Cross’s volunteer training on June 12. Courtesy

Charting the Road to Success: A program from El Concilio Kalamazoo boosts Latinx entrepreneurship Read Article

Zac Clark for NowKalamazoo

Trazando el Camino al Éxito: Un programa de El Concilio Kalamazoo impulsa el emprendimiento Latinx Read Article

Zac Clark for NowKalamazoo

Kalamazoo Climate Crisis Coalition Executive Director learned early to leave only footprints Read Article

Youth murals on display at Kik Pool
Photo: Youth murals on display at Kik Pool Fran Dwight

Battle Creek Community Foundation takes annual report to the streets with Block Party Read Article

Features

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Feature Story Summit Pointe youth staff. CMHs collaborate with schools and families to provide care to kids and teens. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Community mental health advocates take stand against privatization plan

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, July 22, 2025
Community Mental Health Association of Michigan (CMHA) advocates against proposed MDHHS plan to privatize community mental health care.
Feature Story R.I.S.E. Corp. Safe Communities

'Battle Creek vs. Everybody' concert bringing everybody together for peace and healing

Jane ParikhTuesday, July 22, 2025
The "Battle Creek vs. Everybody" concert on July 26 will unite local and regional Black artists to promote healing and peace through music. Organized by R.I.S.E. Corp., the free event is part of a broader effort to combat violence and build community.
Feature Story Disability Pride Month Equity

'Loud and proud' — celebrating the #DWORD at Disability Network Southwest Michigan with new CEO

Mike WenningerMonday, July 21, 2025
July is Disability Pride Month. Disability Network Southwest Michigan welcomes a new CEO, continues its successful #DWORD campaign, and partners with MRC Industries on a new website.
Longform Brush the Block Arts and Culture

Brush the Block: Blank walls to become love letters to Kalamazoo

Mark WedelWednesday, July 16, 2025
This September, Kalamazoo’s first Mural Festival will turn six downtown walls into vibrant public art celebrating the city’s creativity and community. Organized by the Arts Council, the event includes live music, artist talks, and free trolley tours.
Feature Story Edison Pocket Park Economic Development

Edison seeks funds to build pocket park that supports neighborhood's artistic vibe

Mike WenningerWednesday, July 16, 2025
A new pocket park in the Edison neighborhood would be a place for children to play, adults to relax and socialize, and serve as a gateway marker that tells people they’re entering the vibrant Edison community.
Feature Story Permanent Supportive Housing Building Communities

Permanent Supportive Housing in Battle Creek receives $1.6 million boost

Jane ParikhTuesday, July 15, 2025
“Permanent supportive housing is not a homeless shelter, not a treatment facility, not a rehab, or halfway house. Nor is it public housing or rent-free. It is indeed permanent, full-time leaseholders, and they sign Good Neighbor agreements."
Longform Geezer Happy Hour Arts and Culture

The kids are alright — but the Geezers are having more fun

Mark WedelMonday, July 14, 2025
At Shakespeare's Pub in Kalamazoo, the “Geezer Happy Hour” packs the dance floor with seniors rocking out to Duke and the Loose Cannons, a band rooted in the city’s countercultural past. With vintage jams and early bedtimes, rebellion never sounded so good.
Longform Kick Back & Breathe Healthy Communities

Kick Back and Breathe series brings fresh air and urgency to Kalamazoo’s air quality conversation

Caroline BissonnetteWednesday, July 9, 2025
“Kick Back and Breathe,” a free monthly event by the Institute of Public Scholarship, explores how air pollution impacts Black and Brown communities. Using data from local air monitors, the series empowers residents to understand their air and push for cleaner, healthier neighborhoods.
Longform Freehub Cycle Club Kids and Education

"A simple, but perfect machine': Bicycle ministry picks up speed in Battle Creek neighborhood

Jane ParikhWednesday, July 9, 2025
"A bike is a metaphor for freedom. When you’re a kid, one of the first things you get is a bike, and you learn how to ride. It opens up the world, gives you access to opportunities, and exposes you to new people and places. A bike is a simple but perfect machine."
Feature Story Battle Creek Bronson Healthy Communities

Building trust, alleviating fear: A bold plan to transform Black healthcare in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhWednesday, July 9, 2025
Southwest Michigan Urban League is partnering with Bronson Battle Creek to launch health initiatives that expand access to care, wellness education, and financial resources. Priorities include promoting primary care, reducing barriers, and launching the “Afro Health Club” as a central hub for services and classes.
Feature Story Hastings Pride 2025 Equity

Voices of Youth: The uphill battle of smalltown Pride

Dale Krueger IVWednesday, July 9, 2025
Hastings, Mich., held its second annual Pride Festival, uniting LGBTQIA+ residents and allies in a powerful show of rural visibility despite local backlash. The event drew hundreds and marked growing support for queer youth in the small, traditionally conservative town.
Longform Rx Kids has provided for the Wright family stability during an unpredictable time. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

More than a stipend: Rx Kids is transforming childhood beginnings

Brianna NargisoTuesday, July 8, 2025
Rx Kids, the country’s first universal and unconditional cash prescription program for pregnant people and infants, provides financial support to every eligible family within a geographic area, no income requirements, no strings attached. Families receive a one-time $1,500 payment during pregnancy and $500 per month during the baby’s first year of life.  
Feature Story Kevin Fischer3 Second Wave - MichiganCommunity Development

Medicaid cuts threaten Michigan’s mental health

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, July 8, 2025
Federal Medicaid cuts threaten the very lives of those living with serious mental illness, disabilities, and substance use disorders as well as the quality of life and livelihoods of those managing their mental health care with medications and support that Medicaid currently covers.  
Feature Story Voices of Youth Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: The pros and cons of high school sports

Plamedie EkumbakiMonday, July 7, 2025
High school sports can boost teens' confidence, mental health, and academic drive — but also bring challenges like time pressure and self-comparison. Students and educators at Loy Norrix High School share candid insights into the rewards and struggles of being a student-athlete.
Feature Story ALICE

ALICE Report: Rising number of households struggling to make ends meet

Jane ParikhSunday, June 29, 2025
A new report shows over half of households in Albion, Springfield, and Homer Township are struggling to afford basic needs. Stagnant wages and rising costs leave many living just above or below the poverty line.
Feature Story Jonathan Yarbrough Community Development

Back to build bridges: Yarbrough brings homegrown vision to Northside leadership

Al JonesThursday, June 26, 2025
Northside native Jonathan Yarbrough has been named executive director of the Northside Association for Community Development. Seen as a "connector, bridge-builder, and advocate," he plans to "move the needle" on the neighborhood’s legacy while driving community-focused growth.
Feature Story Masa Center Milpa Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: What grows in a milpa? For these teens, identity and connection

Pablo Camargo TangWednesday, June 25, 2025
“The milpa is something that literally grounds us as an organization, as we learn and unlearn the ways colonization has tried to disconnect us from our traditions, cultural foods, and ways of surviving; we can use this and apply it to many things like language, art, and history.”
Feature Story Masa Center Milpa Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: ¿Qué crece en la milpa? Para estos jovenes, identidad y conexión

Pablo Camargo TangWednesday, June 25, 2025
“La milpa es algo que literalmente nos arraiga como organización, mientras aprendemos y desaprendemos las formas en que la colonización ha tratado de desconectarnos de nuestras tradiciones, alimentos culturales y formas de sobrevivir; podemos usar esto y aplicarlo a muchas cosas como el lenguaje, el arte y la historia.”
Longform Cross-sector collaborations have become a vital part of Michigan’s evolving approach to mental health care. Healthy Communities

Commmunity mental health partnerships with first responders a win-win for communities

Brianna NargisoTuesday, June 24, 2025
Across Michigan, community mental health (CMH) agencies are redefining crisis response through deep partnerships with EMS, law enforcement, and fire departments. These cross-sector collaborations have become a vital part of Michigan’s evolving approach to mental health care.  
Feature Story Nicole Triplett, of Black Wall Street Kalamazoo, and Nicole Parker, of Sisters in Business Entrepreneurship

Kalamazoo leaders spark regional collaboration to empower Black entrepreneurs

Shandra MartinezTuesday, June 24, 2025
Nicole Triplett, of Black Wall Street Kalamazoo, and Nicole Parker, of Sisters in Business, helped launch a West Michigan coalition that just earned state funding to expand support for Black-owned businesses.
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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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