Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison.
Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison. Fran Dwight
Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison.
Fire Arts Collaborative is a 10-year-old nonprofit in Edison. Fran Dwight

Voices of Youth: Racism is a hard lesson for young people in high school Read Article

Jaden Davis

Seeking a less stressful, elegant wedding option? Consider Elopement Day at Battle Creek farm Read Article

Courtesy: Of the Land

'We're all related, we're all connected': Many march for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People Read Article

John Grap

Final Chapter: Kalamazoo remembers Dean Hauck and the legacy of Michigan News Read Article

Fran Dwight

Antique expert to share tips, tricks, and treasures at Battle Creek’s Regional History Museum Read Article

UnSplash: Alexander Schimmeck

Voices of Youth: Burnout in high school can happen, but you’re not alone Read Article

UnSplash: Nguyen Phan Nam Anh

Features

Load More Stories
Longform Bearcat Advantage Kids and Education

Battle Creek Bearcats receive key college advantage

Jane ParikhThursday, May 18, 2023
“Today, I’m introducing you to a new scholarship program we’re calling the Bearcat Advantage,” said Kimberly Carter, Superintendent of Battle Creek Public Schools in a surprise announcement to a student-packed auditorium this Wednesday. “It will cover up to 100 percent of your college tuition and fees. . . Starting with the class of 2023 we will pay for your college education. This is your bridge and all you have to do is walk over it.”
Longform Youth Justice Fellows Kids and Education

Kalamazoo's Youth Juvenile Justice Fellows seeking reform in Lansing and D.C.

Mark WedelThursday, May 18, 2023
Kalamazoo's Youth Juvenile Justice Fellowship program supports the development of youth advocates in the community, as well as a vision to create an alternative to youth incarceration in Kalamazoo. Southwest Michigan Second Wave's Mark Wedel speaks to a family who was impacted by an inequitable response when their son was nine, a situation which inspired them to get involved in advocating for juvenile justice reform.
Longform Battle Creek H.S. Anti-gun Rally Safe Communities

After senior's death, Battle Creek Central students seek to S.A.V.E. peers from gun violence

Jane ParikhThursday, May 18, 2023
“When it comes to gun violence and violence in general, there are still going to be people out there who want to hurt others," says Marshall Murdick, a senior, who is helping launch a Battle Creek Central H.S. chapter of Students Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) Promise Club. "We want to make sure our classmates are O.K. and at least have one friend out there so they will do better in life.”  
Longform Part of the Inside Out Project includes the natural decomposition of the photographs. The photos, especially with foot traffic, are intended to last any where from one week to three months. Arts and Culture

Photo Essay: Kalamazoo Public Schools turn Inside Out for All-district Art Fair

Fran Dwight, photographerThursday, May 18, 2023
Mandy Clearwaters, an art teacher at Winchell Elementary, had a vision to bring Inside Out, an international portrait project devised by French-artist JR, to Kalamazoo Public Schools. With the theme "We are Kalamazoo artists," over 1,000 black and white portraits line the inner sidewalks of Bronson Park as part of Kalamazoo Public School's All-district Art Fair Friday. Check out Fran Dwight's photo essay!
Longform Battle Creek Voices of Youth 3 Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Fast fashion's environmental impacts inspired teen's 'Packing Dress'

Kayanna SmithThursday, May 18, 2023
Voices of Youth Battle Creek artist and writer Kayanna Smith is a Lakeview High School budding clothes designer and journalist. She wanted to research what sort of impact easily-ordered, affordable 'fast fashion' has on the environment – and what might be some alternatives. She also wanted to express the concept through design. So out of packaging materials, she created a fashionable Plastic Patchwork Packing Dress. Check it out!  
Longform Voices of Youth BC 3 Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Teens promote mental health support, dispel myths through art and writing

Logan Stevens and Kai StevensThursday, May 18, 2023
Stigma and cost are two main reasons young people don't reach out for the mental health support they might need. Battle Creek siblings Logan Stevens, 17, and Kai Stevens, 15, were inspired to collaborate on an art and writing project that encourages their peers to find the type of therapy that suits them as an impactful form of self-care.
Partner Content A family enjoys jump roping along the Lansing River Trail. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Rec-Connect™ makes fitness fun for everyone

Estelle SlootmakerWednesday, May 17, 2023
Across the state, Michigan Fitness Foundation’s Rec-Connect™ demonstration series is being used in communities to inspire and empower people to engage regularly in physical activity.
Partner Content U.S. Supreme Court Decision confirms rights of people with disabilities including those living with autism. Second Wave - MichiganCommunity Development

Autism Alliance of Michigan celebrates Supreme Court decision

Autism Alliance of MichiganTuesday, May 16, 2023
U.S. Supreme Court Decision confirms rights of people with disabilities including those living with autism  
Feature Story The Community Mental Health Association of Michigan (CMHA) is the state association representing and advocating for Michigan’s public mental health system and those served by this system. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Community Mental Health Association of Michigan study shows integrated care is growing

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaTuesday, May 16, 2023
A recent study by the Center of Healthcare Integration and Innovation shows that integrated care in Michigan’s public mental health system has not only grown in the last six years but that the initiatives are diverse and available in rural, suburban, and urban committees.
Feature Story Athletes attending their first year have a set schedule to try everything the SEC offers. For those who return in subsequent years, the young athletes get to customize their schedule. Equity

Sports Education Camp can be life-changing for athletes who are blind, low-vision

Paul R. KopenkoskeyTuesday, May 16, 2023
Now in its 33rd year, the Michigan Blind Athletic Association’s Sports Education Camp, which will be held this month at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, teaches youth basic adaptive sports skills and activities.
Feature Story Campus Pointe Mall Safe Communities

Local leaders meet to discuss solutions for gun violence, crowds at Kalamazoo's Campus Pointe Mall

Al JonesThursday, May 11, 2023
Since November, two young men have died in separate incidents that involved exchanges of gunfire at the Campus Pointe Mall. Public safety are receiving increasing calls to manage unruly crowds and nuisance partying there. Local leaders, police, and business owners gathered May 8 to address the issues and brainstorm solutions to increase safety.
Longform Brenda Hunt Community Development

Brenda Hunt says it's time to step back as leader of the Battle Creek Community Foundation

Jane ParikhThursday, May 11, 2023
Raised on a potato farm, Brenda Hunt grew up comfortable on a tractor cultivating the fields. She brought that skill for cultivation to her position as CEO of the Battle Creek Community Foundation, but after 30 impactful years, she says she's ready to step down. And return – at least in part – to the tractor (which she still loves to ride) and her family farm.
Longform KNAC Arts and Culture

Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition goes big to grow home

Mark WedelThursday, May 11, 2023
The Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition has launched an $11 million fundraising campaign to preserve and renovate the 167-year-old First Baptist Church, which it now owns. Started five years ago, KNAC's mission is to create an inclusive, collaborative, affordable space for artists, nonprofits, and start-ups. "I believe a shared story of Kalamazoo is evolving," says KNAC Board Director Dann Sytsma, "and a shared space like KNAC can be an agent for that positive change."
Longform Sunight Gardens Healthy Communities

A new prescription for good health at Farmacy in Battle Creek

Thursday, May 11, 2023
Among the mantras at Batlle Creek's Sunlight Garden is "Food is medicine." Now you can get your prescription for fresh produce filled at Farmacy, located at the two-acre urban farm, 245 N. Kendall Ave. Farmacy, which will feature affordable, local organic produce, eggs, and wholesome snacks, will be accepting Double Up Bucks and other programs, and seeks to dispel the myth that healthy food is more expensive.
Longform Voices of Youth BC 3 Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Battle Creek artist draws on experience to bring expressions of anxiety to life

Athena McCarthyThursday, May 11, 2023
Battle Creek Voices of Youth Artist Athena McCarthy focused her artist's lens directly on anxiety, creating digital artwork that personified her feelings. In her accompanying artist statements, she shares about the empowering process. Athena says, "There are ways to help with anxiety and to help those with anxiety, simply by being there for each other."
Longform Voices of Youth BC 3 Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: CnE podcast focuses on social media and mental health

Cordell Barnes and Elisha WilsonThursday, May 11, 2023
Voices of Youth Battle Creek participants, Elisha Willis and Cordell Barnes, listen to a lot of podcasts and wanted to try one of their own. They decided to focus on social media and its impact on teen mental health. In this conversational format, Elisha and Cordell, with their mentor Gerald King, touch on negative and positive impacts of social media and how to keep it all real. Listen to the CnE Podcast to get the real scoop on social media and teens today.
Longform Dale Robertson, president and CEO, Grand Rapids Public Museum Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Leaders overcoming stigma: Community mental health is for everyone.Community mental health is for everyone.

Sarah SpohnTuesday, May 9, 2023
Despite an increased awareness around symptoms and treatment options, a lot of stigma around seeking mental health care still exists. For leaders and professionals in esteemed positions and industries, this stigma can be even more difficult to overcome. 
Feature Story Wheelchair basketball is a highly physical sport, with players often bumping into one another and sometimes flipping their chairs. Yet the players love the thrill of getting a shot at the basket and scoring points. Equity

Mary Free Bed women’s wheelchair basketball team competes nationally

Nathan SlauerMonday, May 8, 2023
Basketball played a big part in Jeni Rummelt's childhood. Her return to that old love marked the beginning of an exciting new chapter in life as an adult wheelchair user, playing on a highly competitive all-women's sports team.
Feature Story Kellogg Community College Kids and Education

Agreement between KCC and GVSU eases transfer concerns for students

Jane ParikhThursday, May 4, 2023
Kellogg Community College is strengthening its bridge from associates to bachelors degrees at Grand Valley State University. Credit alignment, programming, and pre-transfer support are part of the collaborative effort. "Our advisors will be coming to KCC to work with these students," says Al Shiflett, Director of Community Engagement with GVSU's BC Regional Outreach Center. "They’ll be Lakers from day one even if they’re not at GVSU yet."
Longform Canadiana Fest Arts and Culture

Why Canada? O Canada: Kalamazoo Canadian realizes dream for local Canadiana Fest

Mark WedelThursday, May 4, 2023
Nainamo bars, poutine, All-Dressed Potato Chips. If you know, you know. Many Canadian delicacies have a unique fusion of flavors. Local chef and Southwest Michigan Second Wave Food Writer Channon Mondoux, a Canadian herself, wants to have a big all-flavors Canadian party for native-born and the 'Canadienvious' so she's bringing the first-ever Canadiana Fest to Kalamazoo.
Load More Stories

Battle Creek

Village Network leads work to create a Black Wall Street in Battle Creek 

Plans for launching a Black Wall Street movement in Battle Creek will include a Black-owned business directory and two new websites with a mission to create "collective independence." For more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Joyful Streets, Real-world Struggles: "Happy Cities" author on the journey to transform Kalamazoo 

"What I've noticed in Kalamazoo is, that the city has been taking action to make some changes that in the short term some people might find uncomfortable, but in the long term are going to set the city on course for more vitality, more health, more equity, and I would say more happiness for the people who choose to live here."  Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

Recommended Content

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