Archive for September 2017
Marion's Story
Marion’s Story: Making a Change Watching Marion play basketball, talk about his favorite foods or joke around with friends, it’s difficult to see him as anything but a happy, well-adjusted 12-year-old. That was not the case when he joined the S.T.R.E.E.T. program a year and a half ago. “I wasn’t very good at coping with…
Read MoreNurturing a Love of Reading
The grin on Susan Caswell’s face perfectly mirrored that of 120 kids around her. “You can do all the interventions you want, but ultimately it’s about getting books into their hands and inspiring a love of reading,” said the Green Meadow Elementary School principal. Young faces beamed as United Way Campaign Cabinet members, led by…
Read MoreGryphon Place 2-1-1 Answers the Call During Hurricane Crisis
As much of the southeastern United States braced for Hurricane Irma late last week, local 2-1-1 specialists were making preparations of their own. The 2-1-1 contact center at Gryphon Place in Kalamazoo, like many others around the country that provide 24/7 information and referral services to local residents, stood ready if called upon to lend…
Read MoreUnited Way Takes Over Michigan
Michigan United Ways are taking over the state this week to send a message: To live better, we must LIVE UNITED. Collaboration is one of United Way’s greatest strengths. In that spirit, United Ways across Michigan, including United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, have joined forces again this year to share their…
Read MoreRetreats Offer Self-Care Tools to Alleviate Secondary Trauma
Lindsey Neal is no stranger to the practice and benefits of mindfulness. A former massage therapist who now teaches Spanish and health at Battle Creek Central High School, she leads yoga classes weekly for high school students and works out regularly at a gym as part of her self-care routine. Still, she says, her own…
Read MoreTurning Readers Into Leaders: Book Drive Goal Set at 15,000
Children who read well tend to succeed in school. That fact has led United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region to spearhead an effort to collect 15,000 donated new or gently used children’s books — representing every child between kindergarten and third grade in the region. “Through third grade, kids are learning to…
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