Happy Mother's Day, Southwest Michigan!
Happy Mother's Day, Southwest Michigan! John Grap

BC's Still Hope Boxing teaches mothers and daughters to cross, jab, bob and weave together Read Article

John Grap

Features

Longform Sacred Earth Sustainability

Grounded: How art, faith, and ecology unite to 'touch the heart' and inspire changeWestminster Art Festival going on now

Zinta AistarsThursday, May 16, 2024
When it comes to climate change, science appeals to the mind, but art can touch the heart. To create change, we need both. The Westminster Presbyterian Art Festival unites earth care, art, and faith for its annual celebration.
Feature Story One possible way the river could look if it were freed from its concrete channel. Sustainability

Rising tide of optimism eddies around Battle Creek River naturalization project

Jane ParikhThursday, May 16, 2024
Rivers are often urban areas' greatest natural resources. In Battle Creek, plans to restore, beautify, and re-imagine the Battle Creek River are taking shape, thanks to many partners.
Feature Story Kalamazoo Commuter Challenge Healthy Communities

Kalamazoo Commuter Challenge encourages new cyclists to Love to Ride to work

Mark WedelThursday, May 16, 2024
With new bike lanes and lights installed in downtown Kalamazoo, it's time for cyclists to test them out. If you work downtown or nearby, consider joining the Kalamazoo Commuter Challenge taking place from May 17 to 30.
Feature Story BC Bagpipes Arts and Culture

Midwest bagpipers and drummers skirl and snare together in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, May 16, 2024
An opportunity to hear the ethereal sound of bagpipes and drums happens this Saturday at the Cricket Club in Battle Creek. The Greater Midwest Pipe Band (which has a home base in BC) is preparing for the prestigious World Pipe Band Championships this August.  
Feature Story Roel Garcia walks into the Library for the Visually Impaired and Physically Disabled in Muskegon. Building Communities

Step inside an award-winning library for people with disabilities

Roel GarciaWednesday, May 15, 2024
Roel Garcia shares what it's like to visit the Library for the Visually Impaired and Physically Disabled in Muskegon. Part of the Muskegon Area District Library, it is a fully functioning library specializing in additional services for people with disabilities.
Longform Robert Sheehan and colleague, Valerie Jamerson, take a look at the new Tool Kit. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Social Work Career Promotion Tool Kit shares benefits and pathways to rewarding careers

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaTuesday, May 14, 2024
The toolkit is designed to enhance recruitment and promote social work career opportunities across the state. It includes sample language for websites, emails, and social media posts as well as recommended language for various professionals, including high school guidance counselors, college academic advisors, and behavioral health providers. There are also photographic materials for outreach usage.   
Longform Still Hope Boxing Safe Communities

BC's Still Hope Boxing teaches mothers and daughters to cross, jab, bob and weave together

Jane ParikhThursday, May 9, 2024
In honor of Mother's Day, Still Hope Boxing offered mothers and daughters a chance to learn some boxing skills together — for self-protection, fun, and bonding
Feature Story Kalamazoo Lyceum Arts and Culture

Kalamazoo Lyceum: Intentionality, commitment, communication key ingredients for creating community

Mark WedelThursday, May 9, 2024
Community is where you are and what you cultivate, according to panel members at the Kalamazoo Lyceum. Writer Mark Wedel was there to be your 'fly on the wall' for a discussion on 'Hope for the Community.'
Feature Story Battle Creek Community Foundation CEO Community Development

New Battle Creek Community Foundation CEO Mary Muliett grateful to now work where she lives

Jane ParikhThursday, May 9, 2024
Mary Mullett, Battle Creek Community Foundation's new CEO and President, says she's grateful to be working in her own community where she can deepen connections and "help alleviate barriers" so people can "realize their potential."
Feature Story DECA Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: How DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in the art of business

Anas ElkafrawyThursday, May 9, 2024
In its 78th year, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), an international after-school club, continues to provide local youth with opportunities to develop products and apps, market, present their ideas, and prepare for their futures.
Longform Sara Simmonds and staff Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

The many faces of public health

Monique BedfordTuesday, May 7, 2024
The work of employees of the public health departments is heavily based on the communities they serve and the safety of the people that live in them. Prevention, protection and promotion is the name of the game for the workforce in this field.   
Feature Story Kalamazoo Jail Ministry Healthy Communities

Kalamazoo Jail Ministry offers 'radical acceptance,' resources, and hope

Zinta AistarsThursday, May 2, 2024
“We don’t push religion at all. We have magazines, art books, whatever they need. Our job is to serve and to love."
Feature Story Sojourner Truth Choir Arts and Culture

Inner City Music Proving Arts Can Teach makes huge IMPACT in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, May 2, 2024
Battle Creek IMPACT is a free music education program that features the Sojourner Truth Choir, along with drums and piano instruction. About 85 percent of the students represent the area’s African American, Burmese, and Latinx communities. "We train kids and give them the opportunity to go out in the community to share their gifts and talents."
Feature Story Gun Violence Safe Communities

Kalamazoo panel: How to decrease gun violence

Al JonesThursday, May 2, 2024
“It’s not a meeting telling people, ‘You need to do this, or you need to do that.’ It’s each one of us looking at ourselves and asking what can we do and then will we do that?”
Feature Story Native Plantings Sustainability

Local synagogues and churches rewilding to welcome migratory flocks and other creatures

Mike WenningerThursday, May 2, 2024
“One of the reasons I enjoy doing native planting is because it sequesters carbon and helps the ground absorb more water. If we’re taking care of the planet, we need to take care of the soil and the creatures on the planet, and native plantings are one of the most immediate visible ways to do that."
In The News Dr. Tino Smith Community Development

Planned closure of overnight Battle Creek Shelter has local faith leader looking for solutions

Jane ParikhThursday, May 2, 2024
After three years in operation, the Battle Creek Shelter is slated to close. Dr. Tino Smith of Kingdom Builders Worldwide, the current operator of the shelter, is seeking funding.
Feature Story Mental Health and Athletes Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Student-athletes need mental health support, too

David HarperThursday, May 2, 2024
It's not uncommon to take the mental health of student-athletes for granted. Studies suggest that although most teens develop improved resilience through athletics, others experience stress, anxiety, mood disorders, and more that may be less visible due to the stress-related impacts of training and competition.
Feature Story Self-driving vehicles Transportation

Voices of Youth: Self-driving vehicles are coming to Calhoun County — ready or not

Rodrigo CondeThursday, May 2, 2024
While the technology is still developing, it's only a matter of time before driverless cars come to Battle Creek — and to other cities across the state. Three larger cities already have robotaxies. What are some advantages to self-driving vehicles and how do we prepare?
Feature Story Small-hampton-softball Equity

Meijer State Games of Michigan Athlete of the Year shares the challenges of battling MS

Shandra MartinezWednesday, May 1, 2024
In honoring Andrea Hampton as the adult female athlete of the year, the Meijer State Games says her “vivacity for life and love of sports have allowed Hampton to adapt and find new avenues'' after her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis 14 years ago.
Longform Vibrant Futures Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Early Education Community of Practice brings unified message to state focus on early childhood care

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaTuesday, April 30, 2024
The Community of Practice has expanded to 30+ Michigan organizations focused on early childhood. Members have access to a variety of resources and experts and are able to provide solutions and mobilize quickly.  
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Battle Creek

Battle Creek's Washington Heights reaching new heights in affordable housing stock

“We have demonstrated that we’ll do what we say we’re going to do. Some of the barriers we’ve had to overcome we’ve looked at as opportunities. These new homes will be an opportunity for residents to create generational wealth and go from renter-ship to homeownership.” For the full story, click here. For more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Beyond belief: How faith communities are lighting the way on climate change

In this first installment of our Sacred Earth series, we speak with Dr. Cybelle Shattuck, whose combined interests in sustainability and religion have helped her identify how faith institutions engage, support, and undertake earth care. Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

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