"A four-person family needs $10,952 monthly, or $65.71 an hour, to be financially stable. Yet nearly three-quarters of the top 20 occupations in Michigan pay less than $20 an hour. That means thousands of people in our communities are working full-time but don’t earn enough to make ends meet."
The ACE scoring method is illuminating the relationship between stresses that children face that lead to public health problems later in life. Awareness of those connections is growing in Battle Creek and elsewhere in Calhoun County.
“My biggest passion and mission for the Burma Center is to empower our people and make these people valued in this community and make sure that their voices are heard so that they can thrive alongside other people here so they can be successful like other families."
Starr Commonwealth in Albion is partnering with Grand Valley State University in its Omni initiative to provide adults with the knowledge and tools they need to work with children who experience trauma.
“There is a bigger movement afoot. We can and must simultaneously support today’s workforce while working to change the system that is holding these childcare problems in place.”
On the Ground Battle Creek's Jane Parikh took part in an LGBTQ&A Trivia Contest with other BC notables for a kickoff to Battle Creek Pride. "As an ally and a friend to members of the LGBTQ + community, I thought I understood a lot," Jane writes. "I was wrong."
Rent, mortgage, and utility support are available to early childhood educators in Battle Creek through the American Rescue Plan Act and W.K. Kellogg Foundation funds.
“We really want to make sure that the public policy advocacy we’re doing was grounded in the experiences of families we serve all across the country."
As BC Pride begins celebrations, organizers, allies, and advocates are excited to celebrate. "We are your friends, neighbors, and colleagues. We contribute to our community in many positive and impactful ways and we are here to stay.”
If you missed Battle Creek's Field of Flight Airshow and Hot Air Balloon Festival this year, be sure to mark your calendar for next year. On the Ground Photographer John Grap captured some photos for us — and a story, too.
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