Battle Creek, Kalamazoo United Way now one organization

In a move that is being called a catalyst for change and doing more good for more people across the region, the United Ways of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo made their merger official this week.

The new organization, which brings together the Greater Kalamazoo United Way and the United Way of Greater Battle Creek, is now Michigan’s second-largest United Way agency.

United Way will work with regional partners to improve reading and other educational skills, develop career opportunities and skills, address basic needs such as housing and food, and improve access to a range of health-care services, says Mike Larson, president and chief executive officer of United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region.

It will have the ability to mobilize resources and services in the areas of education, income and health in ways the organizations could not on their own, officials say. The merged organization also will be better equipped to do more collaborative work.

The agency also will continue to respect the unique identities of its communities — the desires of donors who want their financial gifts to remain local will be honored.

“The aim of United Way is to advance the common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all,” Larson says. “We’ll do that by focusing on education, income and health, because these are the building blocks for a good quality of life.”

Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave Media
Source: Chris Riker, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region