Welcome


Voices for Action is a statewide effort to reduce poverty 50% in Michigan by 2020.

Led by the Michigan Department of Human Services, the initiative has created a network of organizations including human service organizations, government agencies, local faith-based and community organizations, non-profits, and businesses.


This space is for you to share your Voices for Action stories and current information. There are three ways to share.

- Submit a post via email to: voices4action6@haltpoverty.org and we'll post it for you, be sure to include contact info

- Submit a post through blogger: Google account required; request author invite by sending an email with
name & organization information to: voices4action6@haltpoverty.org

- Comment on published posts, no login required

You can use tags to highlight themes, such as 'asset building', 'workforce development', 'food assistance', etc.



Here are current poverty statistics for Region 6:

2009 Poverty and Median Income Estimates - Counties
Name Poverty Estimate All Ages Poverty Percent All Ages Poverty Estimate Under Age 18 Poverty Percent Under Age 18 Median Household Income
Allegan 12,850 11.5 4,601 16.2 50,487
Barry 6,038 10.4 2,111 15.2 53,566
Berrien 27,259 17.4 9,481 25.4 39,856
Branch 7,430 17.9 2,780 26.8 40,798
Calhoun 22,951 17.4 8,193 26.1 39,130
Cass 7,837 15.9 2,334 21.5 45,799
Kalamazoo 46,977 19.6 11,748 21.8 42,336
St. Joseph 10,265 16.9 3,710 23.9 43,402
Van Buren 12,755 16.6 4,409 22.8 41,731






Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area
Estimates Branch

Internet Release date: December 2010




View Michigan Counties - Region 6 Poverty in a larger map

Thursday, April 21, 2011

A FREE WORKSHOP: “WHAT ARE BROWNFIELDS OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR COMMUNITY!”

The VanBuren County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority will be presenting A FREE WORKSHOP: “WHAT ARE BROWNFIELDS OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR COMMUNITY!”

They will be hosting a special presentation to educate the community at large to share with them about BROWNFIELDS, the affect it has on communities, and the resources that are available to help clean contaminated land, farmland, commercial structures, homes and business that may be deemed BROWNFIELD Sites. While educating consumers of what they can do to assure that their potential investments are secured by working with the local BROWNFIELD Divisions of their areas.

The team of BROWNFIELD Experts will be participating in a FREE community forum that will be conducted in Spanish and English to serve the greater communities of Van Buren County. Anyone interested in attending or wanting more information (Attachments) please contact the Brownfield Division.


DATE: APRIL 30, 2011

TIME: 12:00-2:30 PM
WHERE: VAN BUREN ISD TECHNOLOGY CENTER
250 South Street
Lawrence, Michigan

The Van Buren County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority is requesting your support buy assisting them in filling their workshop with over 200 individuals.


FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:


Edward VanderVries - MAAO III, PPE
Van Buren County
Director of Land Services, Planning & Economic Development
219 E. Paw Paw Street
Paw Paw, MI 49079
VandervriesE@vbco.org
WK - (269) 657-8234 x17
FAX - (269) 657-0579
MBL - (269) 720-1928

Monday, April 18, 2011

stand against racism - friday april 29


stand against racism

The YWCA of Kalamazoo cordially invites you to join us in taking a stand against racism.

Friday, April 29, 2011

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

353 E. Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007


The stand against racism is an awareness event in which community members gather to stand together to recognize the need to eliminate racism. Participating
community members will stand together covering a four block radius surrounding the YWCA, and will recite the pledge against racism. We ask you to make your voice heard by joining the stand against racism. The stand against racism will take place at the front of the YWCA with a reception to follow.

By participating in this event, you will help raise awareness that racism still exists in our communities and that it can no longer be tolerated.
Our strength will be in numbers. Please Join Us. Take a Stand.


For more information: Contact Chéree Thomas at 269-345-5595 ext. 314 or
racialjustice@ywcakalamazoo.org

Or visit: www.StandAgainstRacism.org

353 E. Michigan Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-345-5595

www.ywcakalamazoo.org


pledge against racism

As an individual committed to social justice, I stand with YWCA against racism and discrimination of any kind.

I will commit to a lifetime of promoting peace, justice,
freedom, and dignity for all people in my community and in the world.