Bent Not Broken: Kalamazoo nonprofit empowers families affected by the juvenile justice system
Through participatory defense support and community collaboration, Bent Not Broken aims to disrupt the systemic juvenile injustice cycles in Kalamazoo.
Casey Grooten's Latest Articles
PHOTOS: SLD Read honors 50 years of literacy success at A-Listers event
SLD Read, a nonprofit literacy education organization, celebrated 50 years at its A-Listers Literacy Event this October. The event also honored students and tutors at the celebration which took place at Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan facility.
Do it — Try the honey cake from Kalamazoo’s Ukrainian Homemade Foods
"We Ukrainians all love to eat delicious food, and accordingly, cook it," says Iryna Zykova who with partner Oleksii Severyn launched Ukrainian Homemade Foods which sells food that reflects "old family recipes" that feature a "mix of different cultures."
Downtown construction: An unlikely catalyst for revitalized nightlife in Kalamazoo?
Kalamazoo street work may be slowing you down; that could have some advantages for a burgeoning downtown nightlife scene. Stay tuned for more stories in our summer series on Kalamazoo After Dark.
Green burial: An eco-friendly option increasingly embraced by families and faith communities
Considering a green (or natural) burial for yourself or a loved one? An eco-friendly burial is a way of caring for the dead that minimizes environmental impact. Learn what is involved, about local initiatives, and how faith communities provide support.
Coming out to come together: One writer’s evolving appreciation of Kalamazoo Pride
Writer Casey Grooten attended this year's Kalamazoo Pride as the new Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Poetry Festival. While volunteering at the KPF booth, they learned a few things about themselves — and about what Pride has come to mean to them.
How songwriting helps Kalamazoo-area veterans connect and heal
"I was walking down a dusty, stony road. Had my head up in the clouds, and my feet were in gravel (gravel)."
Hidden enchantment: The Hobbit Hole Gallery in downtown Kalamazoo
The Hobbit Hole Gallery in the Kalamazoo Mall’s Devisser Alley transforms a quaint space into one man’s haven for artistic expression.
Small businesses in Kalamazoo navigate South Westnedge construction
When it comes to supporting small businesses in Kalamazoo disrupted by street and water line repairs, it is up to residents to take the detours.
Kalamazoo’s Starlite Collective welcomes a constellation of diverse artists and artisans
“The stars are all connected — one big body of untouchable balls of light millions of years old. I wanted people to be able to be stars and know they hold their own potential to shine bright just like our sky when we look up. Hence our motto: 'You Hold the Light.'"
