Features

Feature Story BC Pride Thanksgiving

Battle Creek Pride hosts Annual Holiday Dinner in November

“The dinner is needed more this year than ever given the results of the recent presidential election. Our LGBTQIA+ community is struggling and we need to gather together to show them that they do have support.”

Longform SWMI Journalism Collab Covid Cchort

La 'Cohorte COVID': Cómo el 'salto pandémico' está afectando a los jóvenes adultos

Tres años después del apogeo de la pandemia, a pesar de que la vida normal se ha reanudado por completo, algunos adultos jóvenes sienten que su edad mental y su etapa actual de la vida no coinciden con su edad cronológica. Así es como están ayudando los programas de preparación universitaria, la capacitación laboral y los servicios integrales individualizados.

Longform SWMi Journalism Collab COVID Cohort

The COVID Cohort: How the 'pandemic skip' is affecting young adults

Three years after the height of the pandemic, despite normal life having fully resumed, some young adults feel their mental age and their current stage of life don’t match up to their chronological age. Here is how college-run preparation programs, job training, and individualized wrap-around services are helping. 

Feature Story Alma Powell Library

Planning continues for short- and long-term locations for Kalamazoo's Northside library

The closure of the Alma Powell Branch of the Kalamazoo Public Library stunned Northside residents. Plans are underway for short and long-term locations that will feature facilities that meet residents' needs.

Feature Story State Rep. Carrie Rheingans

NHPB among Michigan’s 12 Tribes represented in the rooms where laws are being made

Thanks to the passage of Bill 5600, Michigan's Native Tribes will have a voice in legislation that impacts them.

Feature Story Housing Solutions Tiny Houses update

Three tiny houses on Kalamazoo's Northside are a huge step in efforts to build affordable housing

HOPE Thru Navigation broke ground on the project on April 2, 2024, using a small plot of land it purchased from the City of Kalamazoo at the southeast corner of North Street and Westnedge Avenue. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Tiny Houses of HOPE Development is expected this month.

Feature Story Estefany Paniagua-Pardo

Battle Creek Bearcats attending Grand Valley State University have internship opportunities

GVSU's Pipeline Program is now offering internships to Battle Creek Bearcats in addition to helping students with academic preparedness, overall wellness, and connecting with their on-campus communities.

Longform SLD Reads

PHOTOS: SLD Read honors 50 years of literacy success at A-Listers event

SLD Read, a nonprofit literacy education organization, celebrated 50 years at its A-Listers Literacy Event this October. The event also honored students and tutors at the celebration which took place at Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan facility.

Longform K-Connect's data dashboard for Kent County.

Local health statistics are a click away as community health dashboards proliferate in Michigan

Community health dashboards are readily available online resources that compile various health data for different regions.

Feature Story Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s new sensory room offers a calming space for neurodivergent travelers, reducing anxiety and improving accessibility.

Ford airport unveils sensory room for neurodivergent travelers

Gerald R. Ford International Airport’s new sensory room offers a calming space for neurodivergent travelers, reducing anxiety and improving accessibility.

Feature Story Zaria McCroy speaks.

Disability Network honors Southwest Michigan advocates of independence, accessibility

Two Southwest Michigan residents and an organization were honored by the Disability Network Southwest Michigan for their work to advance independence and accessibility.”

Feature Story Carey Whitfield

Battle Creek’s NAACP is “ALL IN” for the annual Freedom Fund dinner

“This year, we are laser-focused on democracy and on individuals and those associated with the event this year who are motivated to get out, let their voices be heard, and vote."

Feature Story Ukrainian Homemade Food

Do it — Try the honey cake from Kalamazoo's Ukrainian Homemade Foods

"We Ukrainians all love to eat delicious food, and accordingly, cook it," says Iryna Zykova who with partner Oleksii Severyn launched Ukrainian Homemade Foods which sells food that reflects "old family recipes" that feature a "mix of different cultures."

Longform Solfed Farms

An adventurous, low-frequency life: Creating straw bale home and farm from scratch at Solfed Farms

Not everyone can live off the grid in a home made of straw. Larissa Touloupas and her husband Ondrej Pekarovic are seeking to do just that. She says, "I think you can do it with minimum inputs if you're creative and if you're willing to be uncomfortable."

Feature Story Unhoused

Does Kalamazoo have more than its share of unhoused people?

Does the increasing number of unhoused people in Kalamazoo reflect the county's population? Or are people coming from elsewhere? And are there enough services available to provide for the growing needs?

Feature Story Marisa Bianan

Marisa Bianan: Carrying on the legacy of dance at Wellspring Dance Company

After 43 years of founding and running Wellspring Dance Company, Cori Terry is passing the mantle to new Artistic Director Marisa Bianan. Terry says she feels like "she hit the jackpot" in Bianan with someone who "has it all."

Feature Story Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra Veterans

Local veterans to be honored during Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra concert

The Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra's performance, "American Veteran," on Nov. 2 will honor local veterans both through musical selections and an accompanying slideshow.

Longform Jae Gerhart, manager of farm programs for Trinity Health Ann Arbor, at The Farm at Trinity Health in Ypsilanti. The Farm offers a produce prescription program for those who struggle to afford healthy food.

Medicaid funding could expand and sustain Michigan's produce prescription programs

Michigan is seeking approval for a new funding structure that could use Medicaid dollars to pay for programs that offer "prescriptions" for free fresh fruits and vegetables.

Partner Content  AAoM's Navigating Autism Today Conference takes place November 15, 2024, in Grand Rapids at the Grand Valley State University Pew Campus L.V. Eberhard Center.

Navigating Autism Today Conference in Grand Rapids focuses on navigating autism for a lifetime

The Autism Alliance of Michigan (AAoM) is preparing for its upcoming Nov. 15 Navigating Autism Today Conference in Grand Rapids. The event connects families and autistic individuals with resources and support networks on critical topics: financial planning, health care advocacy, employment, and independent living solutions for adults on the spectrum.

Longform “By working with our community and fostering dialogue about gun safety, we believe we can reduce firearm injuries and build a safer future for all.” Deanna Price

How public health focuses on gun safety and reducing firearm violence

Michigan's public health experts are working to address firearm accidents and violence through community partnerships and education programs. 

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 hereFor 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.