Income
Spotlight on Income
Helping more families in our regional community achieve financial stability is a priority for United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. During the first quarter of 2018, you’ll learn why as we shine a spotlight on our Income focus area and our community goal of transitioning 8,500 households to financial stability by 2025.…
Read MoreJackie's Story
Impact Week: Jackie’s story IMPACT WEEK Jackie Hobson drove past Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Service at just the right time. Her blended, growing family of six lived in a three-bedroom townhouse after making a quick relocation from their rented home on the north side of Kalamazoo. Their landlord was moving back from out of state, giving…
Read MoreAnthony's Story
Anthony’s Story: Homeownership Achieved When Anthony Spencer signed the paperwork to purchase his new home, it marked the end of a journey toward homeownership that took years to achieve. Amid the handshakes and congratulations that followed, Anthony stepped away from the table to compose himself. “I was so overcome with joy,” he said. Growing up,…
Read MoreAnna's Story: 'Then, There Was Hope'
Anna and her family were already dealing with the uncertainty of a major illness and subsequent job loss when the next blow came — potential eviction. As a result of her severe circumstances, Anna had fallen behind in rent and soon found herself in court. That’s where she first connected with Legal Services of South…
Read MoreImpact Tours Offer Look At How United Way Partnerships Change Lives
(Editor’s note: This first-person account is provided by Emily Adams, social media intern with UWBCKR.) There’s no better way to learn how United Way partnerships impact lives than to see it for yourself. On March 23, United Way team members and community guests boarded a bus in Battle Creek for an Impact Tour. The tour…
Read MoreTax assistance program frees up funds for families
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…
Read MoreEnvisioning A Vibrant Community
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…
Read More#GivingTuesday Opens Doors To Get Involved
Turning good intentions into action is the driving force behind Giving Tuesday, a day dedicated to encouraging people to support and engage with nonprofit programs. Giving Tuesday was launched in 2012 by dozens of participating nonprofits, including United Way. Held the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, it’s an alternative to holiday shopping days Black Friday and…
Read MoreHow Partnership Changes The Story
Shared aspirations and partnering for community impact were the key takeaways at “Changing The Story With United Way,” a forum hosted by Stryker Corporation on Sept. 1. Ninety people from business, education, government, nonprofits and other organizations turned out for the gathering, which was held at Stryker’s corporate headquarters in Portage. “The forum was…
Read MoreComing Together Around A Common Cause: IMPACT
Don’t be surprised if you see United Way everywhere you turn in September—on billboards, online, in newspapers, on the air. During the week of Sept. 14, United Ways across Michigan, including the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, will join forces to tell their stories on a statewide canvas. Billed as…
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