Fran Dwight
Fran Dwight
Fran Dwight

Empowering voices: Black disability history workshop returns Read Article

Fran Dwight

Reclamation & Testimony: Kalamazoo nonprofit premiers stories of the unhoused Read Article

Casey Grooten

Preserving Indigenous language focus of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi Read Article

Building businesses and community at Jerico in Kalamazoo's Edison neighborhood Read Article

Fran Dwight

PHOTOS: Rootead's annual Youth Drum and Dance Ensemble wows once again Read Article

Fran Dwight

Small blueberry farm survives by going organic Read Article

Battle Creek breakfast companies unite to raise funds for United Way — one cereal box at a time Read Article

Features

Load More Stories
Feature Story Commerce Pointe Gallery Arts and Culture

25-year retrospective celebrates one of Battle Creek’s longest-running art galleries

Jane ParikhThursday, October 3, 2024
What started as art displayed on walls in a public space became one of Battle Creek's longest-running art galleries. A 25-year retrospective is planned for Oct. 18 at Commerce Pointe Art Gallery.
Longform Of the Land Arts and Culture

PHOTOS: It's harvest time in Southwest Michigan and Calhoun County farm and school celebrate

John GrapThursday, October 3, 2024
If you don't yet have a pumpkin, these photos might get you in the mood. Photographer John Grap captured some harvest joy at Of the Land, a homestead, farm, and farm school, in Battle Creek.
Feature Story Kalamazoo Forward Ventures Equity

$50M Kalamazoo Forward Ventures becomes Southwest Michigan’s first Black-owned investment fund

Al JonesThursday, September 26, 2024
“We understand that traditional businesses are often being funded and started by traditional white males. The new fund answers the question: “So how do we support people outside of that group?”
Feature Story Women In Wind Sustainability

Women and wind: KVCC academy training women for sustainable future in wind industry

Caroline BissonetteThursday, September 26, 2024
Women are helping harness wind as a renewable energy source thanks to Kalamazoo Valley Community College's nationally-recognized Wind Turbine Training Academy.
Feature Story Village Network Diversity

World's Biggest Rice Table: Village Network of Battle Creek connects cultures through rice

Jane ParikhThursday, September 26, 2024
"At the core of the various rice dishes there was one common denominator: rice. We believed that this would help us all see that at the core we are the same.”
Feature Story Bellflower Entrepreneurship

Simpler space, simpler time: Cooper Township one-room schoolhouse charms as small events venue

Zinta AistarsThursday, September 26, 2024
Thanks to the vision and hard work of the building's neighbors, a charming one-room schoolhouse in Cooper Township now hosts small events that celebrate important milestones — and more.
Feature Story Jordan Hamilton Arts and Culture

Fantastic Beats to open Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-25 season

Jane ParikhThursday, September 26, 2024
The Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra's opening concert on Oct. 5 will feature "Fantastic Beats," including the “Game of Thrones” orchestra suite, “Star Trek Into Darkness,” and “Symphonic Suite from Lord of the Rings."
Longform David Harris Homeowner A Way Home Housing Solutions Building Communities

From unhoused to homeowner: David Harris says connection makes the difference

Mark WedelThursday, September 26, 2024
"Some days it doesn't feel real." That's the reaction David Harris has when he surveys the house that he now calls his own after years of being unhoused. 
Partner Content Parents indicated that needed services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and paraprofessional support were inadequate. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Survey activates education advocacy for Michigan children with disabilities

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, September 24, 2024
Special Education Experience (SEE) survey results revealed that needed improvements in special education that the state identified in 2014 have not been made.  
Longform Joe Volpe, program manager at Ferndale's Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Mental health takes heavy toll on Michigan's LGBTQ youth

Estelle SlootmakerMonday, September 23, 2024
Mental health is a major challenge for Michigan youth in general, but the problem is even greater for the state's LGBTQ youth.
Longform Equine Therapy SWMI Journalism Collaborative Youth Mental Health Arts and Culture

Mientras los jóvenes enfrentan problemas de salud mental, el tratamiento de caballos ayuda

por Julie Mack Monday, September 23, 2024
La terapia asistida por caballos, en la que un terapeuta de salud mental tiene formación adicional para usar caballos como parte del plan de tratamiento, es una modalidad que parece estar en expansión por todo el país. Esto es particularmente cierto en la era post-Covid, ya que el número de niños diagnosticados con ansiedad, depresión o ambas ha aumentado considerablemente.
Longform Equine Therapy SWMi Journalism Collab Healthy Communities

As youth struggle with mental health, treatment using horses is helping

Julie MackMonday, September 23, 2024
Equine-assisted therapy, in which a mental health clinician has additional training to use horses as part of the treatment plan, is a modality that is on the rise across the nation. That’s particularly true in the post-COVID era, as the number of children diagnosed with anxiety or depression or both has skyrocketed.
Feature Story Disability Network West Michigan (DNWM) is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a block party. Equity

Disability Network West Michigan marks 25 years of advocacy and service

Shandra MartinezMonday, September 23, 2024
DNWM is celebrating the milestone with a block party outside its Muskegon offices on Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature food, music, and a tour of its facility.
Feature Story SHARE Healthy Communities

Calhoun County makes first disbursement of opioid settlement funds

Jane ParikhThursday, September 19, 2024
“I work at ground zero not one person who walks in that SHARE Center is on a winning streak," says Matthew Jones, a recovering heroin addict and Peer Support Recovery Coach.
In The News Enlightened Recovery Center Healthy Communities

State-of-the-art, holistic addiction treatment facility schedules opening in Kalamazoo

Al JonesThursday, September 19, 2024
"We’ve created a program and an atmosphere where individuals can heal their mind, body, and soul — and ultimately, find a path to lasting recovery."  
Feature Story Troy Huggett Healthy Communities

Battle Creek personal fitness trainer sets his own PR serving clients for 40 years

Jane ParikhThursday, September 19, 2024
With 40 years of experience, Personal Trainer Troy Huggett has developed his own formula for personal fitness — and his high-intensity training method takes only 15 minutes two or three times a week.
Feature Story Climate Voter Sustainability

What does it mean to be a Climate Voter? More than you thinkClimate Civics focus of 2024 Michigan Climate Summit

Theresa Coty O'NeilThursday, September 19, 2024
"The vast majority of Michiganders not only believe in climate change, they are concerned about it. There's no way you get to 72 percent of Michiganders without crossing partisan lines."
In The News Vicky Kettner, Association Director of Marketing, Community Relations, and Member Engagement for the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo Diversity

Kalamazoo YMCA welcomes newcomer immigrants and community members with multi-ethnic events

Thursday, September 19, 2024
The Maple Street YMCA honors Welcoming Week by inviting newcomer immigrants and other community members to a multicultural dance class and ethnic dessert reception.
Longform Elizabeth Agius Second Wave - MichiganEconomic Development

Michigan organizations, universities, and agencies growing the public health workforce

Monique BedfordTuesday, September 17, 2024
Michigan, as well as the rest of the world, is going through a health care workforce shortage. The Michigan Health Council’s (MHC) Michigan Health Care Workforce Index projects that nearly all 36 health care occupations will experience workforce shortages between now and 2033.
Longform GHS Urgent Care Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Funding gap threatens care for Michiganders utilizing community mental health

Estelle SlootmakerTuesday, September 17, 2024
Michigan’s community mental health agencies face deep revenue gaps this year — a projected $93 million.
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.