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

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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 Stacey Kornegay Entrepreneurship

The prescription is delicious: This Battle Creek chef’s home-delivered meals are medicine

Jane ParikhMonday, June 23, 2025
In Battle Creek, Stacey Kornegay turns meals into medicine with her Standing Spoon personal chef service, crafting flavorful, health-focused dishes tailored to her clients' needs. What began as a DoorDash detour has grown into a mission to make nutritious, healing food both accessible and enjoyable.
Feature Story Tim Klont is the CEO of MSHDA. Second Wave - MichiganEconomic Development

Regional Housing Partnerships do the critical work locally to move needle on Statewide Housing Plan

Sarah SpohnWednesday, June 18, 2025
Michigan’s first-ever Statewide Housing Plan was released in June 2022, almost three years ago. A little over the halfway point of the comprehensive five-year plan, stakeholders and collaborative partners look at just how critical regional housing partnerships are in their own communities — moving the needle forward across the entire state. 
Feature Story Voices of Youth Kalamazoo Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Shaped by the scroll — when likes define life

Analia Avila-MendiolaWednesday, June 18, 2025
Social media plays a powerful role in the lives of teens, shaping their self-image, communication habits, and daily routines. While students recognize both the positive and negative impacts, many admit that constant exposure to online content affects how they see themselves and interact with the world.
Feature Story BC PRide Arts and Culture

As sponsors pull back, community organizations step up to support Battle Creek’s Pride Festival

Jane ParikhWednesday, June 18, 2025
Amid a nationwide decline in corporate sponsorships for Pride events, Battle Creek Pride is pressing forward with its 2025 festival thanks to increased support from local businesses and community organizations. Despite political headwinds and funding shortfalls, organizers remain committed to celebrating and elevating local voices.
Feature Story Trans Youth Safe Communities

Voices of Youth: Death of transgender man Sam Nordquist raises concern for safety of trans youth

Sage LeeTuesday, June 17, 2025
The recent death of Sam Nordquist, a transgender 24-year-old, has called attention to a rise in violence and discrimination against transgender youth.  Many are addressing this issue, but also say much still needs to be done to protect trans youth.
Feature Story "Teenagers matter. They’re a part of our communities, our families, our friendships. Their feelings and their struggles matter." Eve Cole Healthy Communities

Teens and mental health: The emotions beneath the behaviors

Julie RiddleTuesday, June 17, 2025
Today’s teens face numerous challenges to their mental health, and nearly one in five teens surveyed reported experiencing a major depressive episode in the past year. In 2023, nearly a third of U.S. teens received mental health treatment, according to the CDC report. In Michigan, some of those teens saw practitioners and joined groups at OnPoint, which provides behavioral health and homelessness services in Allegan County.  
Feature Story Michigan Works! Southwest Community Development

Battle Creek man covets Michigan Works! award as he waits for his green card

Jane ParikhMonday, June 16, 2025
Cuban immigrant Ariel Martinez Ochoa of Battle Creek was honored for his work in healthcare after just three years in the U.S., but his dreams are on hold as he awaits a long-delayed Green Card. Despite the recognition, immigration backlogs threaten to stall his next steps.
Longform Homeless Vet List Image Healthy Communities

Helping vets in Kalamazoo who were 'smoked by life'

Mark WedelWednesday, June 11, 2025
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.
Longform Yo-Yo Ma at the KSO 2025 Arts and Culture

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma brings a full house to its feet in Miller Auditorium

Kathy JenningsWednesday, June 11, 2025
For 100 years, the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra has been making music for the community. Its sold-out June 2 concert featuring renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma was a triumph. 
Feature Story Housing Balkema Community Development

Kalamazoo County Housing Portal opens with $2.8 million for new projects

Al JonesWednesday, June 11, 2025
On June 2, the Kalamazoo County Housing Department opened its online portal for projects seeking financial support from the county’s Homes for All Housing Millage. “It’s open and we have money for funding,” says Kalamazoo County Housing Director Mary Balkema. “We’re really hoping that developers and nonprofits go in and really have some good applications for funding.”
Feature Story Kalamazoo Boxing Academy Arts and Culture

Fists, friends, and fighting spirit: The legacy of Kalamazoo’s Boxing AcademyPlus revisiting glory days of Idlewild

Mark WedelWednesday, June 4, 2025
At the Institute of Public Scholarship’s “Remembering the Block” talk on the Kalamazoo Boxing Academy, stories of bruises, brotherhood, and Black pride reminded listeners that real strength is learned both in and outside the ring. And Carlean Gill revisits the glory days of Idlewild.
Longform Dark Horse Brewing Co. Entrepreneurship

Benchmark bets on a Dark Horse: Success is brewing in Marshall

Jane ParikhWednesday, June 4, 2025
Spirits, fruit-forward, and lower Alcohol by Volume are market trends in the alcohol industry since the peak of craft beer, and Benchmark of Livonia, which recently acquired Dark Horse and Roak Brewing Co., hopes to capitalize on those trends — but the Mug Club lives on.
Longform Veterans Helping Veterans Healthy Communities

Former local shelter transforms into lifeline for Southwest Michigan Veterans

Jane ParikhWednesday, June 4, 2025
“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."
Longform PreK for All ensures that every 4-year-old in Michigan has access to a high-quality preschool experience, regardless of income. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

“A lifeline for families,” PreK for All expands access and raises expectations

Brianna NargisoTuesday, June 3, 2025
Enrollment in PreK for All is now open for all families, no matter their income. The program operates across a mixed delivery system, including local school districts, public charter schools, private child care providers, Head Start programs, and community-based organizations.    
Feature Story Voices of Youth Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: How teens can help friends in crisis

Jack ReillyMonday, June 2, 2025
A Voices of Youth writer delves into how teens can best help comfort friends in crisis. Experts stress the importance of sincere support, open dialogue, and knowing when to guide someone toward professionals.
Partner Content Event helps autistic children and adults get used to the airport environment and boarding experience. Second Wave - MichiganEquity

On Board for Autism: Airport simulation helps autistic kids take flight

Estelle SlootmakerFriday, May 30, 2025
To help autistic people and their families manage  these challenges, Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM), Delta Airlines, and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport partner to host On Board for Autism events that prepare them to successfully take a flight.
Feature Story Samson's Barbershop Economic Development

‘That was really big for us,’ How United Way’s mini-grants support small businesses

Kristen AguirreThursday, May 29, 2025
As the product line for Samson's Barbershop grows, a Kalamazoo Enterprise Grant has helped them keep up with the equipment they need to producing the hair care products their customers are raving about.
Longform Braylon Youker Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Inside KRESA's Career Connect Campus — a new era for career education

Braylon YoukerTuesday, May 27, 2025
Voices of Youth's Braylon Youker gets a firsthand look inside KRESA's $100 million state-of-the-art Career Connect Campus. "I can’t wait to see [the students’] eyes light up," says Eric Stewart, Asst. Superintendent. "We’ve built this for them.”
Feature Story Climate change and vulnerable SWMi Collaboration Economic Development

‘Folks aren’t left behind’: Climate change readiness includes protecting homes of most vulnerable

Julie RiddleThursday, May 22, 2025
As local governments use regulations to protect against the impacts of a changing climate, several new efforts in Kalamazoo show how going green can boost local economies while keeping people most susceptible to the harm of climate change safe in their own homes. 
Feature Story Calhoun County Land Bank Building Communities

Brownfield assessment and revitalization throughout Calhoun County focus of $1.5 million EPA grantEfforts will help with future housing and development

Jane ParikhWednesday, May 21, 2025
A $1.5 million EPA Brownfield grant will help revitalize vacant and contaminated properties in Calhoun County. Led by the Calhoun County Land Bank and its partners, the initiative aims to pave the way for future housing and commercial development, particularly in Battle Creek and Albion.
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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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