2023 outlook: Local leaders hope to tackle three of Kalamazoo’s toughest problems
As 2023 gets underway, Kalamazoo leaders have some hopes and plans for the community and a common vision for housing, safety, and equity.
Kalamazoo Bahá’ís encourage Meaningful Conversations to promote spiritual growth, community action
As part of a monthly series, Faith in Action, sponsored by the Fetzer Institute, Southwest Michigan Second Wave speaks with Kalamazoo area Bahá’í about their online series, Meaningful Conversations, and the value of spiritual inquiry as a basis for community transformation.
West Michigan design leadership: Discover impressive opportunities
Three impressive West Michigan design leaders share their perspectives on the opportunities for design in our area. Tara McCrackin, Marjorie Simmons, and Frances Close are all inspired by innovation.
Holley makes history as City of Battle Creek’s first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work is not “all roses and daisies,” but the City of Battle Creek’s first DEI Officer Kimberly Holley is prepared to create a garden of opportunity all can enjoy.
Battle Creek City Manager talks 2023 priorities
Battle Creek City Manager Rebecca Fleury reflects on the continued pandemic impact of 2022 on the city, while expressing optimism about plans to enhance technology, advance DEI work, expand housing and opportunities, and engage residents in city planning.
Design as an ‘inescapable’ part of life in West Michigan and where you can find it
The world of design involves hard and soft skills, hands-on creativity and abstract vision. Here's how design is defined by the individuals who are doing the work in West Michigan.
Foster care fosters hope for Michigan’s most vulnerable children
Michigan's community mental health agencies, CMHs, provide mental health care for the roughly 10,000 children in Michigan’s foster care system. Here is how Genesee Health Systems and Sanilac County CMH are working hard to help foster children in their counties thrive.
Here’s how a collaboration in Southwest Michigan helped older adults avoid hospitalization for COVID
Health care providers repackaged existing community services that enabled older adults to stay in their homes if they came down with COVID, or return home more quickly if they were hospitalized.
Southwest Michigan Second Wave ushers in 2023 with new editorial management
Southwest Michigan Second Wave announces a change in editorial leadership as longtime Managing Editor Kathy Jennings expands her role with parent company Issue Media Group.
For some first through fourth graders reading is hard, but SLD’s multi-sensory approach helps
Kalamazoo Youth Literacy Program SLD Read Seeks Tutors to help new young readers feel like school belongs to them, too. “Working with kids, you get more back than you give them,” says one tutor, calling it “a feel-good hour.”
