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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

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Feature Story Nicole Lee Arts and Culture

Imagine Art N Lee provides creative space for budding and experienced artists at Crossroads Mall

Maya JamesThursday, April 25, 2024
"It won't paint itself, Love," reads a mural at Imagine Art N Lee, a fully stocked art experience and retail space at Crossroads Mall. Owner Nicole Lee, passionate about art, healing, and social justice, envisioned a nurturing, creative space welcoming to all.
Feature Story Financial Literacy Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Financial literacy required for Michigan students by 2028Olivet students get early start

Sophia PellThursday, April 25, 2024
Student debt, living expenses, credit card interest. Many students graduate from high school with little or no financial understanding. By 2028, all Michigan high schoolers will be required to take a financial literacy course. Ahead of the pack, Olivet High School plans to implement the requirement next year.
Feature Story Kalamazoo PODS Community Development

Kalamazoo POD Community proponents look to see if proposed Lake Street site holds water

Al JonesThursday, April 25, 2024
“One of the many things we’ve learned from other communities like this is the need to provide information, allay concerns, and create strong partnerships. There are many misperceptions about safety, security, and how the site will fit with the surrounding neighborhood. We want to address those issues.”
Special Report Special report graphic Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Special report: How can Michigan fix a guardianship system that fails some kids and older adults?

Estelle SlootmakerWednesday, April 24, 2024
Guardianship is designed to protect those who can't care for themselves, but it doesn't always work that way. Advocates are pursuing a variety of solutions to improve the system.
Feature Story Small-Mickey Equity

Author embraces experience of growing up in deaf culture

Shandra MartinezMonday, April 22, 2024
Grand Rapids resident Mickey Carolan describes himself as a CODA, short for child of deaf adults. Growing up with two deaf parents gave him experiences that have inspired his three books and his work as an ally for the Deaf community.
Longform Shelby Coolbaugh, administrative assistant for the Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (MLTCOP), and Salli Pung, state long term care omubdsman for MLTCOP. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Michigan ombudsman program advocates for residents in long-term care facilities

Estelle SlootmakerFriday, April 19, 2024
The Michigan Long Term Care Ombudsman Program improves quality of care and quality of life for people living in nursing homes, homes for the aged, and adult foster care homes. 
Longform Sacred Earth Sustainability

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

Theresa Coty O'NeilThursday, April 18, 2024
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.
Feature Story Breastfeeding Healthy Communities

Expert support for breastfeeding mothers expands in Southwest Michigan

Jane ParikhThursday, April 18, 2024
Lactation Medicine is becoming a more recognized specialty given how integral breastfeeding is to infant and maternal health. Dr. Karen Garcia, a Newborn Hospitalist with the Bronson Hospital System, supports breastfeeding families in both Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties.
Longform Lawonda White Kids and Education

An Edison Dreamery: Trained childcare staff employed at early education centers across Kalamazoo

Mark WedelThursday, April 18, 2024
"Outside of work, they just love me, and I'm still teaching them outside of work, you know, how to behave.... Just looking out for the children and making sure that they feel safe in the community, and that they know there's somebody's always there if it's not at work or at the center.
Feature Story Nail Cancer Healthy Communities

Calling attention to nail cancer, an overlooked form of melanoma — one woman shares her story

Jane ParikhThursday, April 18, 2024
April is Melanoma Awareness Month. While nail cancer is rare, it is most prevalent among People of Color who tend not to get other melanomas. One Battle Creek woman who was diagnosed with nail cancer is raising awareness of the issue and its symptoms.
Feature Story Battle Creek Climate Sustainability

Voices of Youth: Plans for a sustainable Battle Creek

Pablo Camargo TangThursday, April 18, 2024
Voices of Youth Pablo Camargo Tang believes climate change is one of the most pressing issues of today. He wanted to find out what his community, Battle Creek, is doing to address the crisis.
Longform Bonnie Jo Campbell Arts and Culture

A river runs through her: Bonnie Jo Campbell reflects on "The Waters" and whirlwind book tour

Zinta AistarsThursday, April 11, 2024
“I’ve made so many great connections with all these events. I’ve met writers from across the world. But what I have really loved is that people close to me have appeared at readings. . .This book has put me together with old friends. That means the most.”
Feature Story Kyra Wallace Entrepreneurship

Love and Joy: How a Battle Creek nonprofit leader evolved into business owner and coach

Jane ParikhThursday, April 11, 2024
“It takes courage to leave what people would consider as safe to go out on my own. I revert back to my spirituality. I recognize that God is my source and my businesses are resources. I’m staying grounded in that and I don’t worry.”
Feature Story A Way Home Housing solutions Tiny Houses

Building hope: The Tiny Houses of HOPE project gets underway in Kalamazoo

Al JonesThursday, April 11, 2024
If you think it’s tough for most people to find affordable housing in an already tight housing market, try to find it when you have a criminal record, or when you have a history with substance or alcohol use. That's why HOPE thru Navigation is building Tiny Houses at North Street and Westnedge Avenue. They broke ground Thursday, April 4, 2024.
Feature Story Voices of Youth Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Body image disorder explored through verse journalism and art

Tanna BlilerThursday, April 11, 2024
Voices of Youth Tanna Bliler chose to use 'verse journalism,' a term coined by poet Gwendolyn Brooks, to relay stories that reflect the traumatic impacts of body image disorder and to call attention to the issue. 
Feature Story List Arts and Culture

Journey home eclipsed by eclipse and West Michigan Nice

Jane ParikhThursday, April 11, 2024
On the Ground's Jane Parikh wasn't quite in Southwest Michigan when she witnessed the eclipse. Nevertheless, she had an eclipse moment in the middle of a crowded airport and was reminded of the power of nature to bring us together.
Feature Story Lakeview Square Mall Economic Development

Voices of Youth: What's next for Lakeview Square Mall?

Mason AllenThursday, April 11, 2024
Voices of Youth's Mason Allen has been going to Lakeview Square Mall "before I can remember." But over the years, he has watched the mall struggle against what's being called the "retail apocalypse." Allen speaks with a Battle Creek official to learn what changes are underfoot.
Longform Dr. Theresa Hastert (right) helped develop the Michigan Community Outreach to Address Financial Toxicity (MI-COST). Ali Fakih (left) is a research assistant with MI-COST, and Cornelius Wilson (center) sits on its Community Advisory Board. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Here's how Michigan organizations are working to reduce cancer treatment's crushing financial burden

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, April 11, 2024
In Michigan, several efforts are underway to help cancer patients prepare for, manage, and alleviate the financial struggles associated with treatment.
Feature Story Enlightened Recovery Healthy Communities

Holistic recovery center for treating substance use disorders to open in Kalamazoo

Al JonesThursday, April 4, 2024
What's happening at the former nursing home on Alamo Avenue? It's soon to be the new home of Enlightened Recovery, a holistic substance use disorder rehab facility.
Feature Story Seaux Sundays Community Development

Sundays in Battle Creek, seaux boring, so not

Jane ParikhThursday, April 4, 2024
“Some people use Sundays to prepare for the week, I want to prepare in a completely different way. I want to expose people to things they may never have heard of before and bridge those gaps.”
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Battle Creek

Laundry Love: Finding community and dignity at a Battle Creek laundromat

St. Thomas' Laundry Love is focused on those who are “struggling to make ends meet,” says Deacon Trish Harris. “There are people who have asked me, ‘How do you know if I meet the qualifications?’ We have no qualifications. We want them to know that we see you as an important person and we’re coming to you with love." For the full story, click here. For more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo's Sarkozy Bakery: Old world baking in an ever-changing world

"We had a liter bottle of Hungarian wine. As we were finishing the bread, and finishing the wine, we said, 'Man, this (bread) is good! You know, we could sell this!' And that's why you shouldn't drink too much." Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

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