Happy Mother's Day, Southwest Michigan!
Happy Mother's Day, Southwest Michigan! John Grap

BC's Still Hope Boxing teaches mothers and daughters to cross, jab, bob and weave together Read Article

John Grap

Features

Longform Still Hope Boxing Safe Communities

BC's Still Hope Boxing teaches mothers and daughters to cross, jab, bob and weave together

Jane ParikhThursday, May 9, 2024
In honor of Mother's Day, Still Hope Boxing offered mothers and daughters a chance to learn some boxing skills together — for self-protection, fun, and bonding
Feature Story Kalamazoo Lyceum Arts and Culture

Kalamazoo Lyceum: Intentionality, commitment, communication key ingredients for creating community

Mark WedelThursday, May 9, 2024
Community is where you are and what you cultivate, according to panel members at the Kalamazoo Lyceum. Writer Mark Wedel was there to be your 'fly on the wall' for a discussion on 'Hope for the Community.'
Feature Story Battle Creek Community Foundation CEO Community Development

New Battle Creek Community Foundation CEO Mary Muliett grateful to now work where she lives

Jane ParikhThursday, May 9, 2024
Mary Mullett, Battle Creek Community Foundation's new CEO and President, says she's grateful to be working in her own community where she can deepen connections and "help alleviate barriers" so people can "realize their potential."
Feature Story DECA Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: How DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in the art of business

Anas ElkafrawyThursday, May 9, 2024
In its 78th year, Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), an international after-school club, continues to provide local youth with opportunities to develop products and apps, market, present their ideas, and prepare for their futures.
Longform Sara Simmonds and staff Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

The many faces of public health

Monique BedfordTuesday, May 7, 2024
The work of employees of the public health departments is heavily based on the communities they serve and the safety of the people that live in them. Prevention, protection and promotion is the name of the game for the workforce in this field.   
Feature Story Kalamazoo Jail Ministry Healthy Communities

Kalamazoo Jail Ministry offers 'radical acceptance,' resources, and hope

Zinta AistarsThursday, May 2, 2024
“We don’t push religion at all. We have magazines, art books, whatever they need. Our job is to serve and to love."
Feature Story Sojourner Truth Choir Arts and Culture

Inner City Music Proving Arts Can Teach makes huge IMPACT in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, May 2, 2024
Battle Creek IMPACT is a free music education program that features the Sojourner Truth Choir, along with drums and piano instruction. About 85 percent of the students represent the area’s African American, Burmese, and Latinx communities. "We train kids and give them the opportunity to go out in the community to share their gifts and talents."
Feature Story Gun Violence Safe Communities

Kalamazoo panel: How to decrease gun violence

Al JonesThursday, May 2, 2024
“It’s not a meeting telling people, ‘You need to do this, or you need to do that.’ It’s each one of us looking at ourselves and asking what can we do and then will we do that?”
Feature Story Native Plantings Sustainability

Local synagogues and churches rewilding to welcome migratory flocks and other creatures

Mike WenningerThursday, May 2, 2024
“One of the reasons I enjoy doing native planting is because it sequesters carbon and helps the ground absorb more water. If we’re taking care of the planet, we need to take care of the soil and the creatures on the planet, and native plantings are one of the most immediate visible ways to do that."
In The News Dr. Tino Smith Community Development

Planned closure of overnight Battle Creek Shelter has local faith leader looking for solutions

Jane ParikhThursday, May 2, 2024
After three years in operation, the Battle Creek Shelter is slated to close. Dr. Tino Smith of Kingdom Builders Worldwide, the current operator of the shelter, is seeking funding.
Feature Story Mental Health and Athletes Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Student-athletes need mental health support, too

David HarperThursday, May 2, 2024
It's not uncommon to take the mental health of student-athletes for granted. Studies suggest that although most teens develop improved resilience through athletics, others experience stress, anxiety, mood disorders, and more that may be less visible due to the stress-related impacts of training and competition.
Feature Story Self-driving vehicles Transportation

Voices of Youth: Self-driving vehicles are coming to Calhoun County — ready or not

Rodrigo CondeThursday, May 2, 2024
While the technology is still developing, it's only a matter of time before driverless cars come to Battle Creek — and to other cities across the state. Three larger cities already have robotaxies. What are some advantages to self-driving vehicles and how do we prepare?
Feature Story Small-hampton-softball Equity

Meijer State Games of Michigan Athlete of the Year shares the challenges of battling MS

Shandra MartinezWednesday, May 1, 2024
In honoring Andrea Hampton as the adult female athlete of the year, the Meijer State Games says her “vivacity for life and love of sports have allowed Hampton to adapt and find new avenues'' after her diagnosis with multiple sclerosis 14 years ago.
Longform Vibrant Futures Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Early Education Community of Practice brings unified message to state focus on early childhood care

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaTuesday, April 30, 2024
The Community of Practice has expanded to 30+ Michigan organizations focused on early childhood. Members have access to a variety of resources and experts and are able to provide solutions and mobilize quickly.  
Partner Content Accommodations can help create a successful visit. Second Wave - MichiganEquity

Simple accommodations can eliminate barriers to health care

Joseph GoralTuesday, April 30, 2024
Because equal and quality access to care is so important, making sure medical practices improve access and accommodations for people with autism is a crucial goal of the Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM).
Feature Story small-dakc Equity

Absolutely Accessible Kent returns to show what’s possible in accessible design

Shandra MartinezMonday, April 29, 2024
The 6th annual Absolutely Accessible Kent will take place May 8 at GVSU’s Eberhard Center from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with presentations on designing for neurodiversity, aging in place, and accessibility in arts venues.
Longform Rev. Monique French Community Development

Battle Creek's Washington Heights reaching new heights with affordable housing stock

Jane ParikhThursday, April 25, 2024
“We have demonstrated that we’ll do what we say we’re going to do. Some of the barriers we’ve had to overcome we’ve looked at as opportunities. These new homes will be an opportunity for residents to create generational wealth and go from renter-ship to homeownership.”
Feature Story Gilmore Arts and Culture

Review: Opening night at The Gilmore an edge-of-the-seat, genre-hopping, triple ovation-al affair

Mark WedelThursday, April 25, 2024
Formerly an arts and culture reviewer for a daily newspaper, SW Second Wave's Mark Wedel revisits his roots to take in The Gilmore International Piano Festival's opening night — a magical 'amusement park ride' that was 'full of surprises.'
Feature Story African Community Kalamazoo Community Development

Faith communities and others help refugees feel at home in Kalamazoo

Zinta AistarsThursday, April 25, 2024
"We are praying to open an African restaurant, plant a garden, open a barber shop," says Pastor Johsua Kibezi, director of the African Community Kalamazoo. "Our future goal is to offer 55 jobs for refugees. I cannot give up on this work or my people will suffer. In my heart, I know I must help.”
Feature Story Robin Beasley Kids and Education

BC's Early Childhood Education poised to flourish — and save a church at the same time

Jane ParikhThursday, April 25, 2024
“The preschool is one of the most important and vital options at the church. It has a waiting list that continues to expand. One possible future option is that Garden of Dreams would expand to occupy more of our building or an additional childcare center could come in here.”
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Battle Creek

Battle Creek's Washington Heights reaching new heights in affordable housing stock

“We have demonstrated that we’ll do what we say we’re going to do. Some of the barriers we’ve had to overcome we’ve looked at as opportunities. These new homes will be an opportunity for residents to create generational wealth and go from renter-ship to homeownership.” For the full story, click here. For more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Beyond belief: How faith communities are lighting the way on climate change

In this first installment of our Sacred Earth series, we speak with Dr. Cybelle Shattuck, whose combined interests in sustainability and religion have helped her identify how faith institutions engage, support, and undertake earth care. Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

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