Features

Feature Story Village Network

World's Biggest Rice Table: Village Network of Battle Creek connects cultures through rice

"At the core of the various rice dishes there was one common denominator: rice. We believed that this would help us all see that at the core we are the same.”

Feature Story Bellflower

Simpler space, simpler time: Cooper Township one-room schoolhouse charms as small events venue

Thanks to the vision and hard work of the building's neighbors, a charming one-room schoolhouse in Cooper Township now hosts small events that celebrate important milestones — and more.

Feature Story Jordan Hamilton

Fantastic Beats to open Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra’s 2024-25 season

The Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra's opening concert on Oct. 5 will feature "Fantastic Beats," including the “Game of Thrones” orchestra suite, “Star Trek Into Darkness,” and “Symphonic Suite from Lord of the Rings."

Longform David Harris Homeowner A Way Home Housing Solutions

From unhoused to homeowner: David Harris says connection makes the difference

"Some days it doesn't feel real." That's the reaction David Harris has when he surveys the house that he now calls his own after years of being unhoused. 

Partner Content Parents indicated that needed services like speech therapy, occupational therapy, and paraprofessional support were inadequate.

Survey activates education advocacy for Michigan children with disabilities

Special Education Experience (SEE) survey results revealed that needed improvements in special education that the state identified in 2014 have not been made.  

Longform Joe Volpe, program manager at Ferndale's Affirmations LGBTQ+ Community Center.

Mental health takes heavy toll on Michigan's LGBTQ youth

Mental health is a major challenge for Michigan youth in general, but the problem is even greater for the state's LGBTQ youth.

Longform Equine Therapy SWMI Journalism Collaborative Youth Mental Health

Mientras los jóvenes enfrentan problemas de salud mental, el tratamiento de caballos ayuda

La terapia asistida por caballos, en la que un terapeuta de salud mental tiene formación adicional para usar caballos como parte del plan de tratamiento, es una modalidad que parece estar en expansión por todo el país. Esto es particularmente cierto en la era post-Covid, ya que el número de niños diagnosticados con ansiedad, depresión o ambas ha aumentado considerablemente.

Longform Equine Therapy SWMi Journalism Collab

As youth struggle with mental health, treatment using horses is helping

Equine-assisted therapy, in which a mental health clinician has additional training to use horses as part of the treatment plan, is a modality that is on the rise across the nation. That’s particularly true in the post-COVID era, as the number of children diagnosed with anxiety or depression or both has skyrocketed.

Feature Story Disability Network West Michigan (DNWM) is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a block party.

Disability Network West Michigan marks 25 years of advocacy and service

DNWM is celebrating the milestone with a block party outside its Muskegon offices on Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will feature food, music, and a tour of its facility.

Feature Story SHARE

Calhoun County makes first disbursement of opioid settlement funds

“I work at ground zero not one person who walks in that SHARE Center is on a winning streak," says Matthew Jones, a recovering heroin addict and Peer Support Recovery Coach.

In The News Enlightened Recovery Center

State-of-the-art, holistic addiction treatment facility schedules opening in Kalamazoo

"We’ve created a program and an atmosphere where individuals can heal their mind, body, and soul — and ultimately, find a path to lasting recovery."  

Feature Story Troy Huggett

Battle Creek personal fitness trainer sets his own PR serving clients for 40 years

With 40 years of experience, Personal Trainer Troy Huggett has developed his own formula for personal fitness — and his high-intensity training method takes only 15 minutes two or three times a week.

Feature Story Climate Voter

What does it mean to be a Climate Voter? More than you thinkClimate Civics focus of 2024 Michigan Climate Summit

"The vast majority of Michiganders not only believe in climate change, they are concerned about it. There's no way you get to 72 percent of Michiganders without crossing partisan lines."

In The News Vicky Kettner, Association Director of Marketing, Community Relations, and Member Engagement for the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo YMCA welcomes newcomer immigrants and community members with multi-ethnic events

The Maple Street YMCA honors Welcoming Week by inviting newcomer immigrants and other community members to a multicultural dance class and ethnic dessert reception.

Longform Elizabeth Agius

Michigan organizations, universities, and agencies growing the public health workforce

Michigan, as well as the rest of the world, is going through a health care workforce shortage. The Michigan Health Council’s (MHC) Michigan Health Care Workforce Index projects that nearly all 36 health care occupations will experience workforce shortages between now and 2033.

Longform GHS Urgent Care

Funding gap threatens care for Michiganders utilizing community mental health

Michigan’s community mental health agencies face deep revenue gaps this year — a projected $93 million.

Feature Story SugarBowl

From neighborhood 'dive bar' to eclectic music venue, Edison's SugarBowl is pretty sweet

"There is a type of performance that, maybe you're not going to buy the record, but you feel lucky to be seeing people doing art that you've never seen before. It's like seeing a strange animal in the wild. Fascinating, amazing, but don't pet that thing, it might bite."

Feature Story Masa Center

Providing opportunities in Battle Creek for Hispanic and MiXcano youth to learn history and culture

Masa Center is offering educational opportunities, including an Emerging Leadership Program, for Hispanic and MiXicanos (Xicanx/Mexicans living in Michigan) youth in Battle Creek.

Feature Story Life Well Lived

What makes A Life Well Lived? Kalamazoo series aims to inspire intergenerational discussion

"The events we have planned for the coming months as part of 'A Life Well Lived — Kalamazoo' will challenge us to think about what is genuinely good for us in our relationships, our work, and our life projects."

Feature Story Ramone Jay Person

Feeling #Solid: Battle Creek musician helps heal losses by creating and helping others create

“I feel like music is the universal language of love and peace," says Ramone Jay Person (#Solid) who has been composing, creating, and mentoring his way through the tragic loss of three family members to violence.

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.