Tiny houses on the Northside
Tiny houses on the Northside Fran Dwight
Tiny houses on the Northside
Tiny houses on the Northside Fran Dwight

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Tiny houses on the Northside
Photo: Tiny houses on the Northside Fran Dwight

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Longform Lawonda White Kids and Education

An Edison Dreamery: Trained childcare staff employed at early education centers across Kalamazoo

Mark WedelThursday, April 18, 2024
"Outside of work, they just love me, and I'm still teaching them outside of work, you know, how to behave.... Just looking out for the children and making sure that they feel safe in the community, and that they know there's somebody's always there if it's not at work or at the center.
Feature Story Nail Cancer Healthy Communities

Calling attention to nail cancer, an overlooked form of melanoma — one woman shares her story

Jane ParikhThursday, April 18, 2024
April is Melanoma Awareness Month. While nail cancer is rare, it is most prevalent among People of Color who tend not to get other melanomas. One Battle Creek woman who was diagnosed with nail cancer is raising awareness of the issue and its symptoms.
Feature Story Battle Creek Climate Sustainability

Voices of Youth: Plans for a sustainable Battle Creek

Pablo Camargo TangThursday, April 18, 2024
Voices of Youth Pablo Camargo Tang believes climate change is one of the most pressing issues of today. He wanted to find out what his community, Battle Creek, is doing to address the crisis.
Longform Bonnie Jo Campbell Arts and Culture

A river runs through her: Bonnie Jo Campbell reflects on "The Waters" and whirlwind book tour

Zinta AistarsThursday, April 11, 2024
“I’ve made so many great connections with all these events. I’ve met writers from across the world. But what I have really loved is that people close to me have appeared at readings. . .This book has put me together with old friends. That means the most.”
Feature Story Kyra Wallace Entrepreneurship

Love and Joy: How a Battle Creek nonprofit leader evolved into business owner and coach

Jane ParikhThursday, April 11, 2024
“It takes courage to leave what people would consider as safe to go out on my own. I revert back to my spirituality. I recognize that God is my source and my businesses are resources. I’m staying grounded in that and I don’t worry.”
Feature Story A Way Home Housing solutions Tiny Houses

Building hope: The Tiny Houses of HOPE project gets underway in Kalamazoo

Al JonesThursday, April 11, 2024
If you think it’s tough for most people to find affordable housing in an already tight housing market, try to find it when you have a criminal record, or when you have a history with substance or alcohol use. That's why HOPE thru Navigation is building Tiny Houses at North Street and Westnedge Avenue. They broke ground Thursday, April 4, 2024.
Feature Story Voices of Youth Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: Body image disorder explored through verse journalism and art

Tanna BlilerThursday, April 11, 2024
Voices of Youth Tanna Bliler chose to use 'verse journalism,' a term coined by poet Gwendolyn Brooks, to relay stories that reflect the traumatic impacts of body image disorder and to call attention to the issue. 
Feature Story List Arts and Culture

Journey home eclipsed by eclipse and West Michigan Nice

Jane ParikhThursday, April 11, 2024
On the Ground's Jane Parikh wasn't quite in Southwest Michigan when she witnessed the eclipse. Nevertheless, she had an eclipse moment in the middle of a crowded airport and was reminded of the power of nature to bring us together.
Feature Story Lakeview Square Mall Economic Development

Voices of Youth: What's next for Lakeview Square Mall?

Mason AllenThursday, April 11, 2024
Voices of Youth's Mason Allen has been going to Lakeview Square Mall "before I can remember." But over the years, he has watched the mall struggle against what's being called the "retail apocalypse." Allen speaks with a Battle Creek official to learn what changes are underfoot.
Longform Dr. Theresa Hastert (right) helped develop the Michigan Community Outreach to Address Financial Toxicity (MI-COST). Ali Fakih (left) is a research assistant with MI-COST, and Cornelius Wilson (center) sits on its Community Advisory Board. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Here's how Michigan organizations are working to reduce cancer treatment's crushing financial burden

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, April 11, 2024
In Michigan, several efforts are underway to help cancer patients prepare for, manage, and alleviate the financial struggles associated with treatment.
Feature Story Enlightened Recovery Healthy Communities

Holistic recovery center for treating substance use disorders to open in Kalamazoo

Al JonesThursday, April 4, 2024
What's happening at the former nursing home on Alamo Avenue? It's soon to be the new home of Enlightened Recovery, a holistic substance use disorder rehab facility.
Feature Story Seaux Sundays Community Development

Sundays in Battle Creek, seaux boring, so not

Jane ParikhThursday, April 4, 2024
“Some people use Sundays to prepare for the week, I want to prepare in a completely different way. I want to expose people to things they may never have heard of before and bridge those gaps.”
Longform Mobility App Transportation

Electric vehicle Carshare program in Kalamazoo and Portage expands the mobility landscape

Mark WedelThursday, April 4, 2024
"We know that if we can reduce the cost of transportation, then that improves people's ability to afford quality housing or quality childcare or quality healthcare," says Matthew Hollander of the new EV car rental program in place at Edison's The Creamery.
Longform Kimberly Singh (right), Michigan Oral Health Coalition board member and chief community and governmental affairs officer for My Community Dental Centers, chats with Dental Assistant Kortney Jones. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Oral health care is inaccessible to many Michiganders. This coalition is working to change that.

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, April 4, 2024
The Michigan Oral Health Coalition brings together a multitude of Michigan oral and general health partners to collaborate on improving oral health for all Michiganders, especially those who have barriers to access. 
Longform Teacher helping child at NEST Child Care and Parent Institute in Detroit Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

خارطة طريق "التعليم ما قبل الابتدائي للجميع" تتخذ منهجًا شاملًا لإطلاق برنامج "التعليم ما قبل الاب

Joanne Bailey-BoorsmaTuesday, April 2, 2024
في يناير 2023، أعلنت الحاكمة غريتشن ويتمر عن خطتها "التعليم ما قبل الابتدائي للجميع"، والتي ستوفر الوصول إلى التعليم ما قبل الابتدائي المجاني لجميع الأطفال البالغين من العمر أربع سنوات في ميشيغان بحلول عام 2027. في فبراير 2024، أصدرت دائرة التعليم مدى الحياة، التقدم، والإمكانيات في ميشيغان (MiLEAP) خطة الطريق مع توصيات حول كيف يمكن للولاية تحقيق هذا الهدف. شاركت مجموعة السياسات العادلة، وهي منظمة استشارية تعليمية في واشنطن العاصمة تركز على سياسات الرعاية والتعليم المبكرة، في تأليف خارطة الطريق.
Longform Robin Beasley is the director of Garden of Dreams Preschool inside First Congregational Church. Second Wave - MichiganKids and Education

Tri-Share makes quality child care more affordable for working parents

Jaishree DrepaulTuesday, April 2, 2024
MI Tri-Share is a first-of-its-kind cost-sharing funding model. The state, the employee, and their employer each chip in for one-third of the price of child care.
Longform Josh Williams Community Development

Addressing the Gap: The need for increased mental health support for LGBTQ Michiganders

Valerie LegoTuesday, April 2, 2024
With all the positive work being done, the fact remains that 51% of LGBTQ Youth in Michigan are afraid to talk about their mental health with someone else. 
Feature Story Kalamazoo County Sheriff Richard Fuller says 911 should not be the only number people call to help people with substance use and mental health issues. Safe Communities

Kalamazoo County Jail numbers are down; new programs likely to bring them lower

Al JonesThursday, March 28, 2024
“When we talk about the programs that we’re doing at the jail, what we want to do is change the mindset of not just people who come to jail, but the mindset of our community. We need people to understand that there are other services that can help people with mental health issues, substance use disorders.”
Feature Story BC Art Bash Arts and Culture

Battle Creek creatives offer advice and support to area students during Art Bash 2024

Jane ParikhThursday, March 28, 2024
“More of our students need to see the arts in nontraditional ways. We want children to see and be engaged and be empowered through the message that was being given out.”
Longform Housing Solutions Kalamazoo Housing Advocates Building Communities

Kalamazoo Housing Advocates helps people navigate barriers to housing using 'that corny love thing'

Mark WedelThursday, March 28, 2024
Kalamazoo Housing Advocates strives to provide one-on-one supportive services, where instead of just offices and forms, a person in crisis can call on someone to help navigate the steps toward a more stable environment. And love is built into the organization.
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Battle Creek

New leader of Battle Creek’s Burma Center talks challenges and opportunities

“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." For the full story, click here. For more stories, please visit here.
 

Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo's Healthy House for Women offers women in recovery a loving place to stay

"Our core values are to be sober, safe, and self-sufficient. I think there is a balance between self-sufficiency and community. I don’t want the women to think they can do everything by themselves.". Read the full story here. Read more stories here.
 

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