Millage request is next stop for Kalamazoo’s Metro Transit
Kalamazoo’s Metro Transit is seeking a five-year millage increase to sustain bus services and expand its growing on-demand Metro Link program.
Community Development
Coverage of community groups bringing about changes, innovations, and solutions in their community.
Latest in Community Development
Program assists some unhoused from elsewhere to find their way back home
A program called Finding Your Way Home operated by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, with assistance from local organizations that help homeless people is assisting people get back to their hometown.
Poet’s Press: “The Streets Still Remember,” reflections on growing up on Kalamazoo’s Northside
Poet's Press, a Second Wave quarterly series presented in partnership with the Kalamazoo Poetry Festival, launches with our first installment by poet Markeva Love and collaborating artist Taylor Scamehorn. This series features news poems — an experimental form that examines local people, places, and events through a personal, poetic lens.
SBAM Nurture Benefits program enhances compensation for child care providers
The Small Business Association of Michigan Nurture Benefits will expand access to health insurance, life insurance, and retirement savings for Michigan's child care providers.
More than a stipend: Rx Kids is transforming childhood beginnings
Rx Kids, the country’s first universal and unconditional cash prescription program for pregnant people and infants, provides financial support to every eligible family within a geographic area, no income requirements, no strings attached. Families receive a one-time $1,500 payment during pregnancy and $500 per month during the baby’s first year of life.
Medicaid cuts threaten Michigan’s mental health
Federal Medicaid cuts threaten the very lives of those living with serious mental illness, disabilities, and substance use disorders as well as the quality of life and livelihoods of those managing their mental health care with medications and support that Medicaid currently covers.
Back to build bridges: Yarbrough brings homegrown vision to Northside leadership
Northside native Jonathan Yarbrough has been named executive director of the Northside Association for Community Development. Seen as a "connector, bridge-builder, and advocate," he plans to "move the needle" on the neighborhood’s legacy while driving community-focused growth.
Regional Housing Partnerships do the critical work locally to move needle on Statewide Housing Plan
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.
Voices of Youth: Death of transgender man Sam Nordquist raises concern for safety of trans youth
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.
Housing in the time of DOGE: Where do we go from here?
There are complicated politics and attitudes aimed at efforts to provide affordable housing. In a recent public discussion, Kalamazoo County Housing Director Mary Balkema detailed the projects underway and outlined the barriers to getting housing up as fast as some community members would like, including the current climate of uncertainty regarding funding.
Program assists some unhoused from elsewhere to find their way back home
A program called Finding Your Way Home operated by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, with assistance from local organizations that help homeless people is assisting people get back to their hometown.
Poet’s Press: “The Streets Still Remember,” reflections on growing up on Kalamazoo’s Northside
Poet's Press, a Second Wave quarterly series presented in partnership with the Kalamazoo Poetry Festival, launches with our first installment by poet Markeva Love and collaborating artist Taylor Scamehorn. This series features news poems — an experimental form that examines local people, places, and events through a personal, poetic lens.
SBAM Nurture Benefits program enhances compensation for child care providers
The Small Business Association of Michigan Nurture Benefits will expand access to health insurance, life insurance, and retirement savings for Michigan's child care providers.
More than a stipend: Rx Kids is transforming childhood beginnings
Rx Kids, the country’s first universal and unconditional cash prescription program for pregnant people and infants, provides financial support to every eligible family within a geographic area, no income requirements, no strings attached. Families receive a one-time $1,500 payment during pregnancy and $500 per month during the baby’s first year of life.
Medicaid cuts threaten Michigan’s mental health
Federal Medicaid cuts threaten the very lives of those living with serious mental illness, disabilities, and substance use disorders as well as the quality of life and livelihoods of those managing their mental health care with medications and support that Medicaid currently covers.
Back to build bridges: Yarbrough brings homegrown vision to Northside leadership
Northside native Jonathan Yarbrough has been named executive director of the Northside Association for Community Development. Seen as a "connector, bridge-builder, and advocate," he plans to "move the needle" on the neighborhood’s legacy while driving community-focused growth.
Regional Housing Partnerships do the critical work locally to move needle on Statewide Housing Plan
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.
Voices of Youth: Death of transgender man Sam Nordquist raises concern for safety of trans youth
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.
Housing in the time of DOGE: Where do we go from here?
There are complicated politics and attitudes aimed at efforts to provide affordable housing. In a recent public discussion, Kalamazoo County Housing Director Mary Balkema detailed the projects underway and outlined the barriers to getting housing up as fast as some community members would like, including the current climate of uncertainty regarding funding.
