Leveling the baseball field for underserved youth in Battle Creek
Evan Gray founded Gray’s on Deck to give underserved Battle Creek youth access to baseball and life lessons through affordable, community-supported programs.
On the Ground
On the Ground helps to tell the stories of the people, projects, and innovations that are creating “what’s next” for Southwest Michigan.
Published by Southwest Michigan Second Wave, the mission of On the Ground is to connect readers to the area's most visionary and active people, businesses, and organizations — elevating a wide diversity of voices and contributing to the community conversation about what it means to call Southwest Michigan home.
Our journalists engage residents through regular listening sessions, events, and conversations to build trusted relationships that shape the community’s unique, solutions-oriented stories. We want to know what you think because what you think matters.
The On the Ground Battle Creek team includes Project Editor Jane Parikh and Photographer John Grap. The On the Ground Kalamazoo team includes Project Editor Al Jones and Photographer Fran Dwight. The Managing Editor for both series is Theresa Coty O'Neil.
HAVE A STORY IDEA?
We’re always looking for story content. Send your Battle Creek or Calhoun County ideas to otgreporter18@gmail.com. Send your Kalamazoo or Kalamazoo County ideas to editor@swmichigan.secondwavemedia.com.
Baseball great Darryl Strawberry to share his faith journey at Battle Creek Community Prayer Breakfast
Former MLB star Darryl Strawberry will share his powerful journey from fame and addiction to faith and redemption at the 2026 Battle Creek Community Prayer Breakfast, offering a message of hope and healing to the community.
Dimes lead to big change for underserved youth in the Battle Creek area
A Battle Creek mother and son turn bottle deposits into life-changing sports opportunities for low-income youth.
From blue light to green light: Former Kmart site set for affordable housing and childcare
Eight years after plans began, redevelopment of the former Kmart site in Battle Creek is moving forward with an 80-unit affordable and workforce housing development with an on-site childcare center, backed by tax credits, philanthropic support, and local partners.
Distance isn’t a barrier to supporting LGBTQ youth in Battle Creek, Vermontville, and beyond
Christine Terpening founded “I’ll Be Your Rock” in Vermontville to create supportive spaces for LGBTQ youth, and her organization is now expanding to rural communities across Michigan and beyond.
Battle Creek turns housing into a benefit for early childhood educators
A new initiative in Battle Creek will provide rent-free housing and a pathway to homeownership for early childhood educators, aiming to boost compensation, stabilize the workforce, and address the financial challenges facing one of the lowest-paid professions.
Battle Creek unites to build 1,000 homes and power economic growth
Battle Creek leaders launched a new Housing Fund to address a 3,000-unit shortage, aiming to build and rehabilitate 1,000 homes by 2035 to boost workforce growth and community stability.
Where experience meets enthusiasm: KCC Concert Band blends generations in “Awakened Voices”
Spanning generations from recent high school graduates to musicians with 70 years of experience, Kellogg Community College’s Concert Band brings together players in a community-driven performance shaped by flexibility, resilience, and a shared love of music.
Financial literacy efforts target homeownership disparities in Calhoun County
The Southwestern Michigan Urban League has launched a new financial literacy initiative in Battle Creek and Calhoun County aimed at equipping underserved families — particularly People of Color — with the knowledge and tools needed to build wealth and achieve homeownership.
Tribal Officers go undercover to combat human trafficking along I-94 corridor
The Nottawaseppi Band of the Huron Potawatomi received a $900,000 federal grant to combat human trafficking in Indian Country through undercover operations, victim-centered interventions, and collaborative efforts with local law enforcement along Michigan's I-94 corridor.
