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

The Napkin Lady: 50,000 and counting for a Calhoun County collector Read Article

John Grap

Voices of Youth: Ten things teens should know about voting Read Article

Artist: Isabelle McMillan

Voices of Youth: ACLU, YWCA Kalamazoo sue Michigan over Medicaid's abortion coverage ban Read Article

Fran Dwight

A book-related accident didn't stop Albion woman from running two businesses Read Article

John Grap

New logo and 'arts for all' focus unveiled at Vicksburg Arts Gala Read Article

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

Features

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Feature Story R.I.S.E. Community Development

Community Centers in Battle Creek awarded $1.5 million in State funding

Jane ParikhThursday, March 14, 2024
Three community centers in Battle Creek were awarded over $1.5 million of State funding to "ensure that more than 100,000 Michiganders already living in poverty have access to better food and living conditions, transportation, and childcare opportunities."
Feature Story Maya James Arts and Culture

What is a social practice artist? Kalamazoo's Maya James, a movement pioneer, explains

Maya JamesThursday, March 14, 2024
Meet Southwest Michigan Second Wave's newest writer and artist, Maya James, Art Prize Vanguard winner and trailblazer who has been following her own unique path only to discover there is a name for what she does — social practice art. And she may well be a 'mother of a movement' that she invites you to join.
Feature Story Rain barrel Sustainability

April showers bring rain barrels to catch them in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, March 14, 2024
Saving April showers for drier months is easy with a rain barrel, which both helps conserve water and capture storm runoff. In April, the City of Battle Creek is selling rain barrels and composting containers to help reduce environmental impact.
Feature Story Housing Matters Kalamazoo Housing Solutions A Way Home Community Development

Housing Matters Kalamazoo: Learning, dialogue, relationships based on affordable housing solutions

Mark WedelThursday, March 14, 2024
The people behind Housing Matters are volunteers. Together with local officials and area agencies, they are looking for what's next in terms of getting and keeping people housed in Kalamazoo County. 
Feature Story Olivet Forensics Kids and Education

Voices of Youth: After-school forensics program builds community and confidence

Sophia PellThursday, March 14, 2024
After-school activities like forensics offer students ways to express themselves that are part debate, part performance art. Voices of Youth Sophia Pell takes a look at how Olivet High School's forensics and theater programs help students increase confidence and connect with youth throughout the state.
Feature Story mentalhealth Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health: Building trust and improving health

Karen GentryTuesday, March 12, 2024
Southwest Michigan Behavioral Health partners with community mental health providers in Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties. 
Longform NACD Community Development

Northside director says 'We the people' will continue to push for justice, liberty, and tranquility

Al JonesThursday, March 7, 2024
As a youth, she was known to stick up for other kids. Now she has a neighborhood of 11,000 to protect and tend. Elizabeth Washington, the Northside's new director, declares she will be working to increase "contributions and opportunities" for all.
Longform New Harvest Christian Center Kids and Education

Access to free training boosts number of certified Early Childhood Educators in Battle Creek

Jane ParikhThursday, March 7, 2024
“I have been looking for love for my whole life. Just somebody to unconditionally love me and the kids give me that. I can’t wait to go to work every day to see those kids.”
Feature Story Notre Dame Study Community Development

A tale of two cities: South Bend has been where Kalamazoo is now and the future is promising

Mark WedelThursday, March 7, 2024
'Quieting' downtown streets is a noisy process. Change can be unsettling. Ask any Kalamazoo resident. But South Bend, Ind. has completed the transition of urban one ways to two ways. The results are encouraging: downtown reinvestment, beautification projects, and increased community pride.
Feature Story Wimee Kids and Education

Wimee the Robot to help celebrate National Reading Month at Willard Library

Jane ParikhThursday, March 7, 2024
“I think we’re ahead of our time. We had an earlier mindset of creating and inspiring kids to see their words become images and that’s when we built Wimee, a robot with the personality of a young kid."
Longform Cafe Rica Vigil Safe Communities

Community holds vigil after shooting inside beloved Battle Creek coffee shop

John GrapThursday, March 7, 2024
Gun violence rocks a community, especially when it takes place inside a well-loved establishment. In Battle Creek on February 15, 2024, an officer was wounded and a Texas man shot dead in a police altercation in Cafe Ricá. Residents, clergy, and local leaders organized a vigil to offer healing and support. 
Feature Story SMALL-Acasiatrains Equity

Nursing training gives career path to those with disabilities

Shandra MartinezSunday, March 3, 2024
Certified nursing assistant training is being offered in Kalamazoo and Benton Harbor, giving people with disabilities an opportunity to earn their credentials for free.
Feature Story Small-downtown-aerial Equity

Discover Kalamazoo to use state grant to show community’s accessibility to travelers

Shandra MartinezFriday, March 1, 2024
Kalamazoo will partner with Wheel the World and Disability Network Southwest Michigan to map at least 130 locations across the county to show potential tourists the region’s accessibility. 
Feature Story Small-John-Miller Economic Development

Brewery’s new summer offerings reflect growth of region’s agribusiness

Shandra MartinezWednesday, February 28, 2024
Allegan County-based Saugatuck Brewing Company, which has grown into one of Michigan's largest independently owned craft breweries, is aiming to grow its market share even more with a new Shandy Variety Pack.
Longform Melvin Henley Second Wave - MichiganBuilding Communities

Growing Michigan Together Council addresses housing and other concerns across the state

Sarah SpohnTuesday, February 27, 2024
Established by Governor Whitmer, the Growing Michigan Together Council works to develop a long-term plan of action to address many issues of concern across the state. Different goals include jobs, talent, and people; infrastructure and places; PreK-12 and higher education, and revenue. Block by Block spoke with the Executive Director of the Growing Michigan Together Council and Michigan’s first Chief Growth Officer Hilary Doe, and Melvin Henley at Community Economic Development Association of Michigan to hear about the council’s report.   
Longform Belinda Orozco Community Development

Safe space at Battle Creek’s Voces helps immigrants navigate legal landscape

Jane ParikhThursday, February 22, 2024
“We have had generations of people who have emigrated from their native countries and established themselves here (in Battle Creek). It’s a safe and embracing community.”
Longform Orchestra Jammbo'laya Arts and Culture

Orchestra Jammbo'laya offers feast of music from African diaspora for under-served BIPOC youth

Zinta AistarsThursday, February 22, 2024
“We wanted to explore the African diaspora esthetics of music. And while anyone can join, our hope is to encourage underserved Black youth in our community to explore instrumental music by Black composers from the Americans, the Caribbean, Europe, from anywhere."
Feature Story Speman Glee Club Arts and Culture

Spelman College Glee Club to perform free concert in Battle CreekBearcat Advantage scholars can see an HBCU in action

Jane ParikhThursday, February 22, 2024
“There is an experience going to an HBCU that you just can’t compare. It’s the camaraderie, the cultural experience, and the emphasis on the heritage. You’re able to see how people of color in those days were able to create an institution with so little.”
Longform Dr. Kelsey Sala-Hamrick is the Michigan Public Health Institute's MI ACE project director. Second Wave - MichiganHealthy Communities

200-partner collaborative raises awareness about impact of adverse childhood experiences in Michigan

Estelle SlootmakerThursday, February 22, 2024
Partners in the Michigan ACE Initiative are working to raise awareness of the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), prevent ACEs, and foster resilience among children who have experienced them. 
Feature Story NACD Homes ready for occupancy Building Communities

Owner-occupied housing is focus of four new homes in Kalamazoo’s Northside neighborhood

Al JonesThursday, February 22, 2024
The first four of some 21 homes the Northside Association for Community Development hopes to build in the neighborhood are nearly ready to be offered for sale. 
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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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