A new partnership puts United Way in a key role helping ALICE workers and their employers in the City of Kalamazoo affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. With $2 million in support from the Foundation For Excellence, United Way launched the Kalamazoo Small Business Loan Fund. The fund will provide low-interest loans between $5,000 and $50,000 […]
Editor’s note: Article was updated on March 30, 2020, to include additional dollars raised. United Way’s Disaster Relief Fund has received strong corporate, foundation, and individual donor support that will be applied to local, broad-based needs related to COVID-19. Donations over the past several weeks have reached more than $1,100,000. Local donors can help further […]
From restaurants to retailers, Kalamazoo small businesses are tapping a financial lifeline to help them deal with the economic impact of COVID-19. Thus far, the Kalamazoo Small Business Loan Fund (KSBLF) has approved 63 low-interest loans totaling $1,120,600. The fund was created earlier this month through a partnership of the City of Kalamazoo and United […]
United Way’s partnership with FamilyWize is especially crucial in helping individuals and families get access to lower-cost medicines during the coronavirus pandemic. It’s essential for people to take their prescribed medicines as directed by their physicians, especially as the health care system is stressed by COVID-19. Community residents can call FamilyWize for free customer support […]
ALU provides equal opportunities to all individuals for membership without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetics, income or employment status. Financial contributions and contributions of time are equally valued. ALU COUNCIL Chair: Travis Cree, Zoetis Vice Chair: Cameron Cummins, Rose Street Advisors Caroline Johnson, Stryker Dave […]
A $200,000 donation from the Consumers Energy Foundation will support the creation of a new microgrant program for small businesses in the City of Kalamazoo. The program, which will focus on women- and people-of-color-owned businesses impacted by COVID-19, will be a partnership between the City of Kalamazoo and the United Way of Battle Creek and […]
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Battle Creek area foundations and individual donors are stepping up in a big way. Recent donations from the Battle Creek Community Foundation, the Miller Foundation and the Binda Foundation strengthened United Way’s Disaster Relief Fund by $25,000. What’s more, those gifts will bring an additional $15,000 from DTE, […]
Equipping schools to help students who suffer trauma and helping vulnerable families promote better health for newborns are among five programs receiving a total of $196,736 in funding from United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. UWBCKR announced a third set of grants under its new impact strategy. The new grants are one-year […]
Most people know to call 9-1-1 in an emergency. But what if you’re having a conflict with a landlord, falling behind on a utility payment, need legal advice or struggling to feed your family? Who do you turn to if you’re facing a drug addiction, can’t find transportation to get to work or want to […]
We’ve extended the deadline on our community survey! United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region invites you to weigh in on the social issues and needs facing local residents, and the collective work to address them. Please take a few moments to participate in a short, simple, online survey about your experiences and […]
Joan Miller was hesitant when the Internal Revenue Service first approached her workplace looking for tax preparation volunteers. “Taxes were something I never had a desire to do, because I really did not have any confidence in my ability,” said Miller, Marketing and Communications Manager at BlueOx Credit Union. “But, there was a need.” The […]
Our regional community is unique in its resolve to rise above the negative. We don’t allow heartbreak to shape us. We don’t give in to circumstances. In the face of evil deeds, we refuse to succumb. Instead, we as a region choose to define ourselves by love. We will turn to one another and provide […]
“I WAS NEVER MADE TO FEEL ASHAMED.” From Service to Homeless After serving my country in the military, I faced some personal challenges. As a homeless veteran, I entered a 28-day treatment program at the VA hospital having just the clothes on my back. I went to transitional residential housing afterward. That was my starting […]
Tax season is upon us and can be a source of stress for many, but for taxpayers who earned less than $54,000 in 2016, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program can help. VITA offers free tax preparation through a team of trained volunteers, helping to maximize refunds for to those who qualify by income, have […]