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

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Feature Story Housing Solutions Outreach Event Building Communities

Two years later, an advocacy group for the homeless in Kalamazoo says a crisis approach is necessary

Al JonesThursday, October 13, 2022
Many organizations across the community work to provide resources for the unhoused, especially as winter approaches. Grassroots organizers, nonprofits, and city and county officials all have roles in the effort.
Longform Housling Solutions LodgeHouse Equity

The LodgeHouse: Long-term housing for the homeless is open for occupancy in Kalamazoo

Al JonesFriday, October 7, 2022
Efforts to find a place for those without housing have taken a step forward in Kalamazoo as 60 subsidized, efficiency-style apartments officially opened Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, The months-long conversion of the former Knights Inn Motel at 1211 S. Westnedge Ave. has been completed and the LodgeHouse is available for occupancy.  
Feature Story At this Next 40 event, Host Jon Cauchi moderated the panel with board members Elliot Keyes and Marcus Fairfield and staff members Patrick Parkes and Mary Sibley. Equity

Growing the next generation of disability advocates

Shandra MartinezFriday, October 7, 2022
How is the next generation of disability advocates getting involved? Associate boards. These informal groups provide a fun way for young professionals to learn about board governance while organizing events that bring people together to better understand disability issues.
Feature Story Graphic illustrates the evolution from a "handicap" sign to an "accessibility" sign. Equity

New accessibility icon better reflects the lifestyles of people with disabilities

Shandra MartinezFriday, October 7, 2022
Thanks to a new state law, current blue signs portraying wheelchair users as passive and inactive will be replaced with a new accessibility icon that better reflects the lifestyles of people with disabilities.  
Longform On the Ground Kalamazoo Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Access Center Healthy Communities

New Behavioral Health Care Center in Kalamazoo will help those in crisis and those helping them

Al JonesThursday, October 6, 2022
The $5 million freestanding Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Access Center is expected to have nine treatment rooms, waiting rooms, a lobby, a reception area, a conference room, and a security office. It will also have a police/ambulance entrance.
Longform On the Ground Battle Creek Music Center Arts and Culture

Baby steps grow future generations of music patrons in Battle Creek

Jane SimonsThursday, October 6, 2022
When babies are born, they possess the highest musical aptitude they will ever have, similar to what we know about language learning. The Music First program in Battle Creek builds on that knowledge.
Longform OTG Battle Creek Reading tutors Kids and Education

We Read: Volunteers needed to read to children or have children read to them in Battle Creek program

Jane SimonsThursday, October 6, 2022
Thelma Vaughn is looking for reading tutors to meet the growing demand she is seeing from elementary school students who would benefit from someone who could both teach and listen.
Longform On the Ground Kalamazoo Chadrick Entrepreneurship

Old industrial building becomes shared business location on Kalamazoo's east side

Mark WedelThursday, October 6, 2022
The former detailing shop can accommodate Patrick Hershberger's and Chad Burke's respective businesses with room for paint storage and studio space, maybe a gallery space to show his work; it also has high ceilings for multiple shelves of bikes, and areas for bike mechanics, painting, and bodywork. 
Longform On the Ground Battle Creek ALICE Disability Economic Development

Calhoun County's disabled face severe financial hardships

Jane SimonsThursday, September 29, 2022
A scarcity of work opportunities are hampering efforts by Calhoun County’s disabled population to become financially independent and support themselves.
Longform Housing Solutions Addiction Healthy Communities

How do you respond to the man with the cardboard 'Homeless' sign?

Al JonesThursday, September 29, 2022
Although good statistics on how many unhoused people struggle with addiction are difficult to find, estimates are that a high percentage of Kalamazoo’s homeless population use alcohol and drugs.
Longform On the Ground Battle Creek Artist Laura Garberick Arts and Culture

Battle Creek artist molds a new sense of purpose and identity

Thursday, September 29, 2022
Evidence of the spiritual journey that surrounds and guides Laura Garberick's creative talents is on display throughout her studio next to the Pennfield Township home she shares with her husband.
Feature Story Voices of Youth Percy Arts and Culture

Voices of Youth -- Teen podcaster: 'If I don't speak out, who will?'

Casey GrootenThursday, September 29, 2022
“Violence, academics, sports,” are the most important issues facing youth today, says Percy Gordon, adding that youth don’t intend on choosing violence first. “Violence is a mechanism of people, how we were raised. Violence is everywhere.” 
Feature Story Hailey Cone (GRCC/Hailey Cone) Equity

GRCC student gaining following for her musical perspective

Shandra MartinezFriday, September 23, 2022
Hailey Cone, who is blind, is using her perspective as a member of the writing staff for “Inside the Score,” a YouTube channel that seeks to deepen the appreciation of classical, film, and art music.  
Longform On the Ground Kalamazoo Music In Place MSFM Arts and Culture

Kalamazoo neighborhoods, natural places and more inspire 'Music in Place' compositions, performances

Mark WedelThursday, September 22, 2022
Like some Kalamazoo neighborhood spots, natural places, cemeteries, etc., the Michigan Festival of Sacred Music's Music in Place project has just been quietly existing, waiting for people to discover what's special about it.
Feature Story On the Ground Battle Creek Medical Debt Healthy Communities

Reducing medical debt church by church

Jane SimonsThursday, September 22, 2022
RIP Medical Debt was established to pay off medical debt for millions of people in the United States and it has a goal to wipe out $4 million in Michigan medical debt by November.
Feature Story On the Ground West Douglas/Fairmont Mountain Home Cemetery Building Communities

The Grave Issues Squad cleans up headstones as it preserves history

Rosemary ParkerThursday, September 22, 2022
Dozens of volunteers have turned out this summer to help clean gravestones at the City of Kalamazoo’s Mountain Home Cemetery as part of a Historic Preservation Commission project in Kalamazoo’s cemeteries.
Feature Story On the Ground Battle Creek beer and donuts Arts and Culture

Donut and Beer Fest brewing at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek

Jane SimonsThursday, September 22, 2022
The lineup of festivals in Battle Creek grows with the addition of the inaugural Donut and Beer Fest, set for Oct. 8 from noon to 5 p.m. at C.O. Brown Stadium.
Feature Story Legacy House Building Communities

OutFront Kalamazoo opens Legacy House for displaced LGBTQ+ young people

Al JonesThursday, September 22, 2022
A transitional home geared for 18- to 24-year-old LGBTQ+ young adults who have been displaced from their homes, often by parents who do not accept their sexual orientation, has now been opened by OutFront Kalamazoo. 
Feature Story Recycle Healthy Communities

Grant award: Kalamazoo’s recycling program launches cart-to-cart recycling lessons

Rosemary ParkerThursday, September 22, 2022
Thanks to a new grant-funded program the City of Kalamazoo will start teaching people to do a better job recycling, by taking to the streets to check residential bins one at a time, tagging those that need work on their recycling choices.
Feature Story Michigan History Conference Arts and Culture

Calhoun County's history is focus of annual meeting of state’s Historical Society

Jane SimonsFriday, September 16, 2022
The history of the City of Albion, and events and individuals of historical significance in Battle Creek, Homer, and Jackson will be the focus of the Historical Society of Michigan’s 148th Annual Meeting and Michigan History Conference Sept. 23-25.
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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.
 

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