Education

Coverage of schools from kindergarten through higher education, including trade and online classes.

Why a Kalamazoo nonprofit is ending subminimum wages for workers with disabilities

Since its inception, MRC Industries, a nonprofit that serves people with developmental or intellectual disabilities in Kalamazoo County, has paid its workers a subminimum wage. But no longer. MRC dropped its 14(c) certification in September.

Latest in Education
Parents across the state are taking note and feeling excited about what  Pre K For All means for their little ones.
Parents weigh in on PreK for All

Parents across the state are taking note and feeling excited about what  Pre K for All means for their little ones. And they have shared feedback on the proposed program at listening sessions across the state.

Two GRIT wheelchair users pose at a local park.
All-terrain wheelchair loan program opens outdoors to more users

The GRIT wheelchair can go across all terrains standard wheelchairs can’t, and a West Michigan family who knows the constraints of conventional wheelchair use has created a program to allow the public borrow two of them.

Access to affordable child care plays a critical role in families finding secure employment.
Underfunding early child care has far-reaching impacts

The U.S economy loses an estimated $122 billion a year through lost earnings, productivity, and tax revenue because of the challenge parents have in finding early child care.

Nonprofit that breaks down barriers for girls wins free marketing help

Muskegon marketing firm Revel to provide pro bono assistance for Girls Build Kalamazoo during 24-hour marketing marathon on Giving Tuesday.

‘I can finally vote by myself’: Portage disability advocate improves accessibility at the polls

Disability advocate Miranda Grunwell has voted in every election for the past 22 years, since she turned 18. But it hasn’t been easy because of a severe learning disability. 

Right here in Michigan, Detroit’s pre-K programs are among the best.
Detroit early education programs serve as excellent models for PreK for All

Many great examples of pre-K programs that have been well executed exist across the nation. Right here in Michigan, Detroit’s pre-K programs are among the best.

“Having child care is a huge benefit because it allows me to look for employment and take care of different responsibilities." Shamirror Moncrief
Child care providers face funding cliff as ARPA dollars fall away

ARPA funding had brought a stabilization to early childhood care that needs to be maintained.

Kalamazoo’s Blueprint for Peace offers collaborative, comprehensive Gun Violence Intervention plan

While Kalamazoo's gun assaults are down, gun deaths, especially among youth, have risen. The Kalamazoo Community Foundation, in partnership with the City and many others, is launching Blueprint for Peace, a program that addresses systemic factors that drive gun violence to create a framework for prevention, intervention, and healing.

Shelby Holman, Southern Imaginations’ CEO and managing member.
Southern Imaginations helps Michigan collect feedback and plot course for free PreK for All

A collaborative partner with the Policy Equity Group and a member of Governor Whitmer’s PreK for All taskforce, Southern Imaginations has been brought in to help formulate recommendations for rolling out free, universal pre-k to all Michigan 4-year-olds. 

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