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."
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.
“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.”
“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.”
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.
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.
“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.”
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.
“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.”
“More of our students need to see the arts in nontraditional ways. We want children to see and be engaged and be empowered through the message that was being given out.”
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