Southwest Michigan’s North Country Trail offers local access to a national treasure

Did you know that Southwest Michigan hosts 114 miles of an eight-state national scenic trail? The North Country Trail, managed by the local Chief Noonday Chapter, is a quiet, local treasure. On 10 a.m. March 11, the Chapter is inviting visitors on a four-mile guided hike. Hikers will meet at Ned’s Deli on Gull Lake located at 15450 M-43.

Come as you are: What that means to this nonbinary writer and artist

In a personal essay and through their artwork, Second Wave's Casey Grooten explores what it means to them to be a nonbinary person as they prepare to attend a Trans Pool Party. The pool party, hosted by OutFront Kalamazoo, invited transgender and gender nonconforming people who are 18 or over to come and swim in whatever attire felt most comfortable in a space free of judgment. OutFront's Faith Alliance is hosting a Trans Day of Visibility on March 18, 2023.

Mobile health clinic brings services to Calhoun County residents where they live

Transportation to and from a healthcare provider is a significant obstacle for many in Calhoun County. Starting this spring, the Calhoun Wellness Wagon will bring healthcare to residents who don't have reliable forms of transportation.

Christine Vanlandingham, Region IV Area Agency on Aging CEO.
New program offers physical and behavioral health care at home for Southwest Michigan’s older adults

The Region IV Area Agency on Aging's Integrated Care at Home program aims to reach 100 community residents in 2023 and continue to grow that number in the years ahead. 

The Kzoo POD Community continues to search for a place the unhoused can call home

Progress is being made in finding a home for the POD community for the unhoused. Here's the latest. 

Conversations about hard topics like suicide can help prevent it.
Here’s how Michigan’s community mental health agencies are helping prevent youth suicide

Summit Pointe, Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, and other community mental health agencies provide youth access to services that help them overcome suicidal thoughts and self-harming actions.

Jobs program through Goodwill Central Michigan Heartland offers hope, promotes confidence

Goodwill Industries does a lot more than run a resale storefront. Its Navigations Program has been helping people with physical and mental disabilities find and maintain self-supporting jobs since 1993. After 30 years, one of its original hires, John Shriver, is about to retire.

Kalamazoo’s Jamauri Bogan, former WMU running back, now running a business and scoring with Zone 32

Real estate developer Jamauri Bogan, 26, is creating an affordable housing and commercial  project on the Northside that is "outward-focused and centered around serving people." Zone 32 takes its name from the number Bogan wore in football. He says the sport taught him the power of “we” rather than “me.”

Oak Hill Cemetery Chapel renovation restores an important part of Battle Creek’s history

Cemeteries are historical treasure troves, and Oak Hill Cemetery in Battle Creek is home to the final resting place of Sojourner Truth, John Harvey Kellogg, C.W. Post, and many others. But the chapel is in serious disrepair. Funeral Director Sydney Morgan is spearheading a campaign to restore the historic chapel to its previous glory.

New Executive Director for KNHS leads a super busy nonprofit on the cusp of a growth spurt

From a position with Downtown Kalamzoo, Inc. to working with the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo, Beth McCann helped build up Kalamazoo's cultural image. In her new position as Executive Directory of Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services, she is building community in a different way – through affordable housing. "We need, what, 7,000 housing units right now?" says McCann. "I can't build 7,000, but hopefully, I can make a dent."

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