With an economic development organization that is the envy of many communities, Battle Creek is a city building on its food industry roots and the land that makes it the state’s third largest city. For fun, each year the Cereal City, world headquarters to the Kellogg Co., celebrates the significance of the most important meal of the day with the World’s Longest Breakfast table. Bikers, cyclers and joggers take in the parks, forests and streams linked by a 24-mile linear park. Campers and outdoor lovers visit Fort Custer Recreation area for fishing, hiking, cross country skiing and boating. For animal lovers, African creatures, like giraffes, and Asian animals, like snow leopards, make the Binder Park Zoo a must. The Battle Creek Art Center and Battle Creek Symphony stoke the city’s cultural offerings and the new Firekeepers Casino adds to the city’s fun side. B.C’s Math and Science Center is acclaimed and secondary education needs are accommodated by Kellogg Community College, Robert B. Miller College and a branch of Western Michigan University. And Sojourner Truth, who lived here, watches over downtown from the memorial in her honor.
A teen center and homeless shelter for youth who need a temporary place to stay developed through Cool People, a nonprofit founded in 2009, is in the works as part of the Washington Heights Entrepreneurial Fund initiative in Battle Creek.
Calhoun County residents who need assistance with paying their rent or utilities are being encouraged to apply before a portal established for emergency rental and utility assistance closes in May.
At the daytime drop-in facility serving Calhoun County’s chronically homeless, those who visit the SHARE Center do not have to show proof of vaccination to receive services, but they do go through a temperature check upon entering the building and wear a mask when they’re inside.
“I love what I do because we really get to change someone’s life and give them a better life,” says Miisha Greier, Property Manager for South Shore Commons. Her comments came as Battle Creek officials toured South Shore Commons Permanent Supportive Housing development in Gary, Ind. to learn more about this style of housing that helps keeps residents housed.
A Q&A with Battle Creek officials and nonprofit leaders who toured South Shore Commons to learn about supportive housing
What happens when a "family" conversation among those in Battle Creek's Black community ends up as the topic on a weekly Facebook live show?
Sally Berglin came out of retirement after she stepped in at Senior Care Partners P.A.C.E. “Her love for the organization shows, along with her enthusiasm, and it’s contagious. People respond to her in kind,” say those she works with.
Graduation from Kellogg Community College will be financially attainable for more students with changes to the Legacy Scholarship program from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
As the pandemic challenged teaching models, board scores for KCC health care students have remained above 80, while there are schools in other states that have dipped down to 60. It’s a testament to the ingenuity of the KCC staff. Find out the changes they have made to keep their students learning.
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