Page 287 – Second Wave

Kalamazoo chocolate shop expands its sweet spot to help those rebuilding their lives

By Al Jones

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February 9, 2023

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Al Jones visits Confections with Convictions to catch up with owner Dale Anderson. The local sweet shop launched in 2010 with a mission to employ youth with criminal convictions. Thirteen years later, Anderson, 70, is preparing to hand over the reins to an employee, Jennifer Fakkety, who wants to expand the shop’s employment to include those of any age who are experiencing substance use disorder and are in recovery or 12-step programs.

New Voices of Youth from Battle Creek shed light on important issues

By Jane Parikh

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General

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February 9, 2023

The second cohort of Battle Creek Voices of Youth launches today and we’re excited to publish these new stories that cover such issues as vacant buildings and their impact on a community, particularly a neighboring school; coming out safely to family and friends; and social media’s impact on body image. We will be publishing these stories throughout February. Our new Battle Creek Voices of Youth program begins in March. See the story for more details.

Voices of Youth: Vacant Battle Creek buildings near schools tempt youth to explore

By Newsroom

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General

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February 9, 2023

Abandoned buildings are an eyesore and pose safety hazards. Youth may see these buildings as an invitation to explore and at times engage in unsafe behaviors. Voices of Youth Reporter Mar'Chionna Sardin, a sophomore at Battle Creek Central High School, says "I never thought I would be writing a story about vacant buildings. You see issues with the community, but you don’t think you will ever do anything about it. When you decide to write about an issue, you find out how much deeper the story is and you learn a lot from it."

Jamie Stuck plays a pivotal role in the future of Native American healthcare

By Jane Parikh

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General

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February 9, 2023

Jamie Stuck, Tribal Chairperson of the Nottowaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, will focus on improving Native American health in his new role as a member of a U.S. Health and Human Services Tribal Advisory Committee. Stuck plans to encourage practices that support a return to a pre-colonized diet and to promote trauma-informed and culturally-appropriate healthcare to help combat elevated disease rates in the Native American community that have direct ties to historical atrocities.

New Kalamazoo Lyceum continues an old tradition of learning together in friendship

By Mark Wedel

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General

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February 9, 2023

To bring back a tradition of neighbors gathering face-to-face, to discuss without the divisiveness that seems to have been born, in part, out of social media, a new Lyceum Movement has begun. Also called “A School for Community Life,” lyceums are happening in various towns in Iowa and Minnesota, and now Kalamazoo is a chapter affiliate. The topic of the inaugural Kalamazoo Lyceum was titled, “How is media changing the way we think?” Read on to hear what panel members and attendees had to say.

Upper Peninsula program helps moms with opioid use disorder have healthier pregnancies

By Estelle Slootmaker

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Health

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February 9, 2023

The program's goal is to identify and address the social determinant of health needs that create barriers for women with opioid use disorder.

Kalamazoo organization recognizes Judge Tiffany Ankley and others as Trailblazers of HOPE

By Al Jones

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General

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February 8, 2023

“You have to listen to them. You have to see them. You have to hear them. It’s not a one size-fits-all system,” says Judge Tiffany Ankley, who, along with other individuals and one organization, was recently honored as a Trailblazer of HOPE, a tribute bestowed on those whose work is instrumental in preserving Drug Treatment Court and recovery-oriented services.

Washtenaw County Community Mental Health is a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic

Michigan’s CCBHCs open mental health access to all

By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma

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Health

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February 7, 2023

Michigan's 34 CCBHCs provide whole-person care by integrating physical health with a comprehensive range of mental health and substance use disorder services to vulnerable individuals no matter what a patients' income or insurance coverage.

Kellogg Foundation is making quiet, but major economic development impact in Battle Creek

By Jane Parikh

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General

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February 2, 2023

While the W.K. Kellogg Foundation is known for redevelopment projects such as The Milton and McCamly Place, there’s more to the foundation’s local support than meets the eye. WKKF partners on a variety of smaller-scale initiatives, including with City of Battle Creek, Battle Creek Unlimited, Northern Initiatives, Community Inclusive Recreation, and Sprout. Jamie Schriner, WKKF Program Officer, says these investments are vital because Battle Creek “is our hometown.”

Art Center of Battle Creek celebrates 75th Anniversary

By Jane Parikh

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General

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February 2, 2023

On the outside, it may look like the former church it once was, but on the inside, vibrant artwork lines the walls and generations of local artists have practiced art through the center’s many classes. As the Art Center of Battle Creek celebrates its 75th Anniversary, Executive Director Linda Holderbaum reflects on its past, present, and future, and the center’s relevance to the community.