When you picture a philanthropist, what do you see? Hopefully, you see yourself, because philanthropy is more than giving money: It's sharing resources such as time and talent to give love to your community. The 5th annual Find Your Cause event  is an opportunity to connect with local nonprofits and find ways to get involved with their work in and with community by providing board service, technology assistance, administrative support, legal expertise, and more! Dozens of nonprofit representatives will all be in one room to discuss opportunities to address needs in education, housing, human services, youth development, etc. This event is free and open to the public.

Published: March 25, 2019

The Michigan Association of United Ways released a study showing 40 percent of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek region's households are at financial risk, up from 38 percent from the last report in 2017. It coincides with overall increase at the state level. Families that fall below a threshold of thriving, not just surviving, are considered Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, or ALICE. These families could be one surprise expense away from falling into poverty. According to the study, a family of four needs to make $30 an hour or more to be above the threshold. Currently, 61 percent of Michigan's jobs pay under $20 an hour.

Published: March 25, 2019

For the first time in years, the City of Kalamazoo is receiving federal funding to address the hazards of lead-based paint in homes. The city has received a nearly $2-million dollar grant from Housing of Urban Development. The funds will be spent removing lead-based paint from 72 homes where children that are six and under are living. They have 3-1/2 years to complete the work. Community Investment Manager Dorla Bonner says the rate of elevated blood levels among children under the age of six in the city’s older neighborhoods is nearly five times higher when compared with children in the rest of the county.

Published: March 21, 2019

In less than a year, KPS has announced two significant enhancements to the KPS student I.D. It now serves as a Kalamazoo Public Library card, providing easy access to books, computers, databases, and more, at locations around town. Starting in the Fall of 2019, it will also serve as a city bus pass for all high school students, for any purpose – getting home after extracurriculars or getting to their job.

Published: March 18, 2019

A support group for men and women abused by members of the Roman Catholic Church has called on the Diocese of Kalamazoo to publicly list the former Kalamazoo-area priests who have credible allegations against them. The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests on Thursday, March 14, called for Diocese of Kalamazoo Bishop Paul Bradley to post the names of all church staff accused of molesting children on the websites of Kalamazoo churches. The post should include photos and work histories, SNAP said. David Clohessy, director of SNAP Network’s St. Louis chapter, said he has found six priests who have worked in the Kalamazoo area and have been publicly accused of sex abuse.

Published: March 18, 2019

The Kalamazoo Promise recently hired six Kalamazoo Public Schools graduates for key positions within the organization. “I think we want to set an example for the community about employing these students as they complete their credentials,” said Bob Jorth, executive director of the Kalamazoo Promise. “Hiring them helps us be more relevant to the population we’re serving. It puts us generationally closer to the students were serving.”

Published: March 18, 2019

From 1995 to 2015, Michigan was 50th of 50 among states in inflation-adjusted total school revenue growth. During this period, Michigan’s inflation-adjusted total school revenue declined by 18%. Michigan was also 48th of 50 among states in inflation-adjusted per pupil revenue growth with a decline of 15%. Meanwhile, multiple studies connect Michigan’s low achievement levels relative to other states in the country to underfunding.

Published: March 18, 2019

Kalamazoo Public School’s 2018 graduation rate was 75.2%, compared to 63.1% in 2010, the year President Barak Obama visited. The gains reflect a combination of The Kalamazoo Promise’s offer of free college tuition and steady efforts by the school system to help students reach graduation and succeed beyond it. Since 2015, the college graduation rate of Promise students has risen 7%.

Published: March 18, 2019

Now that most Americans live paycheck to paycheck and can't afford a $400 emergency, more and more college students are improverished. This includes community college students, 25% of whom struggle with food insecurity while attempting to improve their opportunities. KVCC has created a program to address this. Available at no cost to all enrolled students, it was designed for students to receive one bag of food, weekly, that includes fresh produce, milk, eggs and nonperishable goods. College President Marshall L. Washington said the bags would also have recipe cards to help prepare healthy meals based on the ingredients provided.

Published: March 12, 2019

A year ago on March 11, the First Congressional Church in Kalamazoo opened its doors, allowing shelter for people seeking deportation. Saheeda “Auntie Saheeda” Nadeem, originally from Pakistan, favored the opportunity and began staying at the church on the same day she was supposed to be deported back to Pakistan. Lead pastor Nathan Dannison said “there is no future for her in Pakistan," and decided to house her until the legal situation has been resolved. An internal immigration and customs enforcement policy limits enforcement action at places of worship, shielding undocumented people from immigration agents as long as they remain within its walls. The long-time caregiver has worked with developmentally disabled children and most recently with new refugee arrivals at Bethany Christian Services. Nadeem’s son Samad, is a Kalamazoo Promise Scholar.

Published: March 12, 2019

An hour before the Kalamazoo school board met in front of the public at its regular sessions, trustees for years gathered over dinner to discuss issues with the superintendent and among themselves. Some teachers referred to them as “secret” meetings. While technically open to the public, they were held in a small conference room with little room for the general public. As MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette was reporting on a story about the meetings, board President Patti Sholler-Barber announced this week that the board would stop holding them. Amanda Miller, president of the teachers union, told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette prior to Sholler-Barber’s announcement that it did not seem as though the public was welcome at the meetings.

Published: March 12, 2019

If you're not familiar with the Eastside Gateway tiny homes and park project, launched in 2018, now is a great time to catch up on Second Wave's coverage. Last September, they covered the origins, purpose, and launch of the project. On the Land Bank's project page, you can watch the first tiny home being built in two days. This week, Second Wave reports on plans for signficant aesthetic and artistic enhancements to the plan, including a labyrinth and mural, with a focus on documenting Eastside history. 

Published: March 10, 2019

In 2020, the Kalamazoo Nature Center will celebrate its 60th anniversary. As a new decade approaches, new leadership is planting roots in the organization. Last year, Nathan Smallwood was selected to serve as the Kalamazoo Nature Center’s third director since the organization’s founding in 1960. Since he was hired, Smallwood said, his priorities for his first year have included expanding diversity, equity and inclusion within the organization and its programming as well as hiring executive leadership and improving sustainable practices at the nature center. He sat down with MLive for a lengthy interview.

Published: March 09, 2019

March means it's time for the city of Kalamazoo's quarterly bulk trash pick up, but the city is reminding residents of certain stipulations they must follow in accordance with the program. The City of Kalamazoo reminds residents that "due to potential health hazards, items in opaque bags are not accepted as part of the bulk trash program." City officials reminded residents that only clear plastic bags and open cardboard boxes are accepted. WWMT provides more details on acceptable trash and the week of each neighborhood's pickup.

Published: March 09, 2019