Impact Week: Healthy Food, Healthy Families

[su_label type=”info”]IMPACT WEEK[/su_label] For one Battle Creek woman, a single working mother with two young children, simply getting to the grocery store is often difficult. Visiting local farmers markets to buy fresh produce for her kids happens even more infrequently. The Sprout Box Scholarship, a first-year program strategically funded by United Way BCKR under its…

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Join Us for Free Screening of 'Resilience'

Raising Kalamazoo County, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, and the Michigan ACE Initiative invite you to view the award-winning documentary “Resilience”. “Resilience: The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope” chronicles the birth of a new movement among pediatricians, therapists, educators and communities, who are using cutting-edge brain science to…

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Tawana's Story

Tawana's Story

Nurse-Family Partnership Offers Support to First-Time Mothers Tawana Moss never expected to be a mother. Told they could never have children, she and her husband were stunned last year to discover that she was two months pregnant. “I cried the whole seven months,” she said, laughing as 9-month-old Tatiana squirmed on her lap. “But I…

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Fatherhood in Focus

There’s no question that when it comes to healthy babies and healthy families, a mother’s role is crucial. But what about fathers? Many dads feel relegated to the sidelines during pregnancy and birth, and others disengage or are absent altogether. Studies show, however, that their role is just as key. Children without an active and…

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Infant Mortality Affects Us All

I was two months pregnant with my first child when I became aware of our community’s infant mortality crisis. Still a little shell-shocked from the discovery that I was pregnant, I was tentative and keeping things quiet, careful to avoid doing anything that might endanger this tiny little being. It was during this time that…

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5 Days, 50,000 Diapers

As many as one in three families in our region struggles to get diapers for their babies. United Way is bringing together dozens of businesses, nonprofits and volunteers in a massive regional effort to collect 50,000 diapers in 5 days – and strike a blow for better infant health. The United Way Diaper Drive runs…

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Pop-Up Giving: A New Way to Give Together

June 6 marks a new way to do good. Pop-Up Giving empowers individuals to join and become instant grant makers in a fun and social environment. “It introduces the concept of collaborative giving and provides another entry point to the world of philanthropy and volunteerism,” said Hayley Wasser, associate director of major gifts for United…

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Amanda's Story

Amanda's Story

Amanda’s story: ‘I feel like I have a chance’ Amanda Bennett has big plans ahead. She wants to take classes next year at Kalamazoo Valley Community College. She’s looking forward to forming and strengthening bonds with her family and children. And she’s determined to continue down her road to recovery. Six months ago, she couldn’t…

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Learning Circles encourage growth, collaboration

More than 100 nonprofit leaders in the areas of health and education came together this month for two forums aimed at making connections, exploring resources, and learning from one another. The newly developed forums, called Learning Circles, will take place several times each year for funded partners of United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region.…

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Envisioning A Vibrant Community

Matt Lynn

  Your United Way has embarked on one of its most exciting journeys ever. Earlier this evening, during our annual recognition and impact event, we announced a new vision, mission and community-level goals that aim to transform our region in specific, measurable and powerful ways. The text of our news release, which appears at the…

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