Archive for 2018
Pop Up Volunteering Delivers Unique Way to Make a Difference
Volunteering is one of the most powerful ways to create change in the community. Our corporate partners have long supported United Way agencies by sending employees out into the community for Days of Caring volunteer experiences, and that practice continues. But it doesn’t work for everyone. In 2018, United Way BCKR rolled out a new…
Read MoreFamily Health Center Employee Wins Sweepstakes Car
When Mary Lewis received her hard-earned bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University last Saturday, she thought that would be the highlight of her month. Turns out she has two great things to celebrate. Lewis, Practice Director at Family Health Center (FHC), is this year’s United Way Sweepstakes automobile winner. She was chosen at random from…
Read MoreUnited Way Sets Holiday Hours
United Way will have limited office hours during the upcoming holiday week. Our Battle Creek office will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 1. The Kalamazoo office at 709 S. Westnedge Ave. will be open Dec. 26-28 and 31 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily for supporters who wish to drop off year-end donations. (If you…
Read MoreMaking Holidays Brighter
Holiday preparation is in full swing at the Portage Community Center. Over the next few weeks, staff and volunteers will distribute 63 food baskets, hand out donated gifts to 89 adopted families and celebrate with 114 children at the annual holiday party. They’ve already delivered 124 Thanksgiving baskets. “It’s a very busy time right now,”…
Read More#Faithfully United: Faith Community Answers Call to Action
A new partnership with the faith-based community drew together a diverse and enthusiastic group of volunteers. More than 50 people gathered at Stones Church on Nov. 29 to assemble 1,000 weekend food packs for food-insecure families throughout our region. The volunteer effort was part of Faithfully United, a pilot initiative launched this fall that aims…
Read MoreShare Your Story: How Has United Way Touched Your Life?
This week, we’re sharing impact. We want you to know what a difference you have made in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo with your dollars, your support, your volunteerism, and your advocacy. We’ve shared some results in Income, Health, Education and Basic Needs, and we’ve shared just a few stories from people who have been personally…
Read MoreTaking Impact Personally
Chris Sargent, President & CEO, reflects personally on Impact Week 2018. Every now and then, someone asks what draws me to the work of United Way. The answer is easy: For me, it’s personal. I’ve spent much of my life living in this area. I have children here. Grandchildren, too. This is my home, and…
Read MoreImpact Week: Reaching That First Birthday
When a community commits itself to safeguarding the health of its most vulnerable people, that means more babies—especially babies of color—will celebrate their first birthday. United Way BCKR set a goal to improve infant mortality rates in families of color and low income to 6.0 per 1,000 births by 2025. Tristen’s Story Before his sophomore…
Read MoreImpact Week: Hope Through Education
Benjamin Franklin was right: An investment in knowledge pays the best interest. It also delivers the greatest hope. That’s why United Way BCKR invests heavily in Education, with the goal of improving high school graduation rates to 83 percent by 2030 while reducing racial and economic disparities. Erica’s Story The CLIMB (Concrete Lessons in Mindful…
Read MoreImpact Week: Fighting for Financial Stability
More than 1 in 3 households in our region are either in poverty or struggling to make ends meet. United Way works to help these vulnerable families and individuals become financially stable. That includes ALICE—Asset Limited, Income Constrained Employed—people who work but can’t get ahead financially, who are one unexpected bill away from poverty. United…
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