Jeff's Story

Jeff's Story

Navigating Benefits, Planning for the Future Jeff’s story begins, literally, all in his head. Years ago, he underwent surgery to remove a tumor in his brain. A decade later, he sustained a second traumatic brain injury from a fall. Both events left Jeff finding it hard to hold a job in his field of finance.…

Read More

Career Life Expo Draws Hundreds of Jobseekers

More than 530 people who turned up at Wings Event Center for the Career Life Expo discovered much more than a job fair. They discovered hope. Eighty-three employers and more than 25 community resource organizations served a diverse and steady stream of people looking at hundreds of positions and receiving assistance with employment barriers such…

Read More

Expo Lines Up Employers, Service Agencies

With less than one week to go to the Career Life Expo, interest is growing! As of today there are 67 area employers and 28 service organizations signed up to work with the hundreds of jobseekers expected at the event, with more added daily. The Career Life Expo takes place Tuesday, Feb. 20, 12 noon…

Read More

AmeriFirst: 'By Tackling Problems Together, We Can Achieve Results'

Amerifirst

What happens when you pair a locally-based company committed to strengthening communities with the strategies and resources that can make that happen? You get a dynamic, long-lasting partnership that has real impact potential. AmeriFirst Home Mortgage, headquartered in Kalamazoo with locations all across Michigan and the Midwest, has long been a champion for its communities.…

Read More

Hiring? Join Us at the Career Life Expo

Spots are filling up quickly, but Career Life Expo booths are still available for area employers. The expo, set for February 20, is designed to meet the hiring needs of employers while providing job-seekers with the support services they need to succeed as employees. We are accepting a wide variety of employers from the Battle…

Read More

Volunteers Needed at Career Life Expo

For the hundreds of job seekers expected to attend, the Career Life Expo has the potential to change lives. By volunteering, you can be a part of that. More than a job fair, the Feb. 20 event aims to connect attendees with employers, and also resources that can help them overcome employment barriers such as…

Read More

More Than a Job Fair

For many people, a good-paying job is just one step on the journey to financial stability. They may need other kinds of help along the way. A unique event called Career Life Expo aims to tackle the full spectrum of work and life needs. “Southwestern Michigan has companies that are hiring and qualified people eager…

Read More

2017: A Year of Impact

The end of one year and dawn of another is a natural time of reflection and gratitude. At United Way BCKR, we have much to be grateful for. Our work is a collective effort that includes dynamic corporate and community partners, engaged volunteers and generous donors. That means our successes belong to you as well…

Read More

Making Every Week 'Impact Week'

[su_label type=”info”]IMPACT WEEK[/su_label] President & CEO Chris Sargent reflects on our coverage of Impact Week and how United Way is making a difference in our region. I like numbers. Not enough to be a mathematician or an accountant, perhaps. But I like what numbers can tell us. For instance, did you know there are 100…

Read More

Jackie'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 More