Battle Creek's Free Hub Cycle Club
Battle Creek's Free Hub Cycle Club John Grap
Battle Creek's Free Hub Cycle Club
Battle Creek's Free Hub Cycle Club John Grap
John Grap

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

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

Battle Creek's Free Hub Cycle Club
Photo: Battle Creek's Free Hub Cycle Club John Grap

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

Battle Creek's Free Hub Cycle Club
Photo: Battle Creek's Free Hub Cycle Club John Grap

Features

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Longform Holy Childhood Diversity

Surviving Holy Childhood: Indigenous woman shares story after 50 years of silence

Jane ParikhThursday, November 30, 2023
“I say to other survivors, what happened to one of us happened to all of us. We met in Harbor Springs and we bonded together,” says Sharon Skutt, an indigenous survivor of a Michigan boarding school. “The more I speak about it, the more healing there is."
Longform Katie Wendel, director of planning and advocacy at Area Agency on Aging 1B, which recently launched a voucher program to help unpaid caregivers afford respite care. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Finding temporary care is a challenge for Michigan's many unpaid caregivers, but help is available

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, November 30, 2023
Approximately 1.7 million Michiganders are unpaid caregivers, and they often desperately need a break from that work. Resources, like a new voucher program to pay for respite care, can help.
Longform Housing Solutions Portage home Building Communities

First-time homebuyer in Portage gets help from program funded with Kalamazoo County housing millage

Mark WedelThursday, November 30, 2023
The future can be intimidating for a person in their early 20s, but for Blaise Boulding it's off to a secure start. With help from a program that assists people to get ready to be a homeowner she now has her own small house in Portage.
Feature Story Holiday Pop-Up Arts and Culture

Battle Creek Holiday Vendor Pop-Up to showcase local food and artOn the Ground Battle Creek to celebrate 5th year of local coverage

Jane ParikhThursday, November 30, 2023
Join the On the Ground Battle Creek team to celebrate its 5th Anniversary during the first-ever Holiday Vendor Pop-Up event, featuring local artists and food artisans, on Dec. 7 at 32 West Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek.
Feature Story MRC Equity

Why a Kalamazoo nonprofit is ending subminimum wages for workers with disabilities

Mark WedelMonday, November 27, 2023
Since its inception, MRC Industries, a nonprofit that serves people with developmental or intellectual disabilities in Kalamazoo County, has paid its workers a subminimum wage. But no longer. MRC dropped its 14(c) certification in September.
Feature Story Wild-Rice-Small Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Copper Country initiative emphasizes fresh and local foods

Kym ReinstadlerSunday, November 26, 2023
In the western Upper Peninsula, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community strives toward the goal of food sovereignty, strengthening the community's ability to produce more of its own fresh and local food sources. 
Feature Story Holy Childhood Sustainability

Road to Healing: Indigenous woman shares her story of surviving Michigan's Holy Childhood

Jane ParikhThursday, November 16, 2023
The Road to Healing Tour is giving indigenous boarding school survivors throughout the United States an opportunity to publicly share stories that many had suppressed out of fear and shame. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, Southwest Michigan Second Wave will feature three of these women's stories.
Longform Derek Jeter Kids and Education

Derek Jeter, Cal Ripken Jr. dedicate $5M Kalamazoo Central H.S. ballfields

Al JonesThursday, November 16, 2023
Fulfilling dreams takes work and patience. Ask Derek Jeter, baseball Hall of Famer and Kalamazoo Central High School graduate. He worked hard to become a shortstop for the Yankees — and to give his alma mater top-tier baseball and softball fields. For the Kalamazoo community, the fields are also a dream come true.
Feature Story 21st Century BCPS Kids and Education

School doesn’t end when the bell rings for many Battle Creek Public Schools students

Jane ParikhThursday, November 16, 2023
“We’re structuring little people's lives. We are their teachers, motivators, and in some instances, mothers and fathers to these kids," says Freddie McGee, Director of Extended Learning programs for Battle Creek Public Schools. "We’re going to be that extra adult in their lives. These kids want to be recognized.”
Feature Story Pastors on Patrol Safe Communities

Faith in Action: Pastors On Patrol strengthening community-police relations in Kalamazoo

Casey GrootenThursday, November 16, 2023
Pastors on Patrol, a partnership between Kalamazoo police and pastors, has been helping increase trust between residents and police, diffuse tense situations, and 'cushion the blows of calamity.' Since the pandemic, both police and pastors involved say they have seen the need for the program grow.
Longform Ken Nixon, director of outreach and community partnerships for Safe & Just Michigan. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Lack of data raises questions about quality and cost effectiveness of Michigan's prison health care

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, November 16, 2023
According to Michigan researchers and advocates for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people, health care in prison is far less than adequate.
Feature Story Two GRIT wheelchair users pose at a local park. Equity

All-terrain wheelchair loan program opens outdoors to more users

Paul R. KopenkoskeyTuesday, November 14, 2023
The GRIT wheelchair can go across all terrains standard wheelchairs can’t, and a West Michigan family who knows the constraints of conventional wheelchair use has created a program to allow the public borrow two of them.
Feature Story AllyKat Salons Entrepreneurship

Kalamazoo's AllyKat, a body art, lash and brow salon, helps LGBTQIA + feel at home in Vine

Casey GrootenThursday, November 9, 2023
AllyKat Studios, LLC, is a new lash, brow, micro-blading, and tattoo studio that caters to the Queer community. For clients who are currently transitioning genders, a new set of eyelashes, the right brow shape, or even gender-affirming tattoos, AllyKat owners say, can help lessen the dysphoria that oftentimes accompanies a transition.
Feature Story Natalie Baker Transportation

New partnership takes flight at WMU’s College of Aviation in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, November 9, 2023
Western Michigan University's College of Aviation announced a new partnership with Allegiant Travel Company. The Accelerate Pilot Pathway program will streamline the career trajectory for graduates in an industry that is experiencing pilot shortages.
Longform VOY Climate Sustainability

Voices of Youth: A climate change education law in Michigan?

Harper HorvathThursday, November 9, 2023
In this radio story, Voices of Youth Kalamazoo's Harper Horvath speaks with State Representative Julie Rogers about an important environmental literacy bill proposed by Rogers and 30 fellow representatives that could change the way climate is taught in the state.
Feature Story BC Pride Thanksgiving Healthy Communities

Battle Creek Pride to host Thanksgiving Dinner at Christ United Methodist Church

Jane ParikhThursday, November 9, 2023
“There are a lot of free Thanksgiving dinners that happen throughout Calhoun County and this one is a family-friendly, fun event and it’s completely free to the public," says Chris Fulbright, meal coordinator and 'executive chef.' "We just want people to come in and enjoy their food and each other's company.” 
Feature Story Housing Solutions Habitat in Portage Community Development

Portage works with Habitat for Humanity to build affordable homes

Al JonesThursday, November 9, 2023
It's been a while, but now Habitat for Humanity is working in Portage to put up houses as the county works to improve the affordable housing situation. 
Feature Story KRock-SMALL Equity

Rock musicians with autism to be honored with Discover Ability Award

Shandra MartinezWednesday, November 8, 2023
Together, Keegan Russell and Keenan Miller keep the beat as the band K-Rock. The musicians were nominated by Autism Support of Kent County because “they show others what is possible when individuals are given a chance to shine.”
Feature Story GBKSmall Kids and Education

Nonprofit that breaks down barriers for girls wins free marketing help

Shandra MartinezTuesday, November 7, 2023
Muskegon marketing firm Revel to provide pro bono assistance for Girls Build Kalamazoo during 24-hour marketing marathon on Giving Tuesday.
Feature Story Carol-Small

‘It’s been good to give back in a way that I can,’ says volunteer driver

Shandra MartinezMonday, November 6, 2023
Community Action of Allegan County is looking for more volunteer drivers like Steve Riley, who gives seniors rides to and from their appointments. He also delivers food to people in need at least once a month.
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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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