For Ronny Richardson, Disability Advocates of Kent County's Occupational Therapy Equipment Loan Closet didn't merely provide him with needed medical equipment; they extended personalized support to empower him and help him fully participate in his community.
After retiring from social work, Phyllis Neal sought a meaningful way to give back. An AARP program led her to Disability Network West Michigan, where she found a renewed sense of purpose and full-time employment.
Kalamazoo Rx Kids will provide participants a one-time, lump-sum, prenatal allowance of $1,500 and an additional $500 per month for the first 12 months of a newborn's life. Sponsored by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and partners, the program will begin in February.
Kellogg Community College is growing its music program as it launches an Associate of Fine Arts in Music degree in Fall 2025.
Shonda Buchanan, poet, memoirist, and Western Michigan University Professor of English, returned home to Kalamazoo where her family has deep roots. Her upcoming book, "The Lost Songs of Nina Simone" will be released in May 2025.
As the unhoused struggle to get out of the cold they also facethe harsh possibility of a loss of services from local and state organizations as the new Trump administration looks to freeze federal grants and loans. The status of the funding freeze is fast-moving and may have changed by the time you read this story.
Wetlands located near freshwater dunes are 'globally imperiled,' according to Dr. Tiffany Schriever, a freshwater ecologist and WMU Associate Professor. Michigan's interdunal wetlands are home to rich and rare ecological diversity and need protection.
The Autism Alliance of Michigan Navigating Autism Today (NAT) Conference connects autistic people of all ages and their loved ones with education, resources, and community.
"These drivers bring a unique understanding of recovery through their own lived experiences, which helps clients feel safe, understood, and free from judgment as they take transformative steps toward recovery."
"After reading these books, I hope people will feel more empowered to engage with our stories — their own story, the stories we all share, and the story we can write together."
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