Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaborative (SWMJC) es un grupo de 12 miembros dinamicos que representan a medios de comunicacion, organizaciones educativas o comunitarias dedicadas a fortalecer el periodismo local. Apoyamos y mejoramos el sistema de noticias en el suroeste de Michigan, para proporcionar una cobertura precisa y equitativa, y para promover la diversidad de expresiones entre los periodistas y las fuentes información por igual.

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Featured Story

Yes, housing really is more unaffordable in Kalamazoo — here’s why

Hatfield is looking around Kalamazoo County for affordability, hoping to stay in Kalamazoo Public Schools, without sacrificing too much in areas like safety. She scours Zillow and other websites to find homes for sale before they disappear. They often go quickly, she said. It’s a common tale in Kalamazoo County. Incomes have risen 19% since 2019 — but housing prices are up 46%. Finding housing that doesn’t break the bank used to be a problem for low-income folks. Now, even households with a decent salary are in a pinch.

LATEST STORIES

Youth Mental Health series explores solutions for teens in crisis

“Anxiety will take as much room as you give it,” says Patti Criswell, who has spent her career listening to and helping young people through mental health struggles. In a video produced by Public Media Network, Criswell offers advice for parents of anxious teens and gives young people tips for managing anxiety and depression.

Black Entrepreneur Training Academy Celebrates Fourth Cohort

At a lively event filled with the familiar faces of the Kalamazoo-area entrepreneurship community, the newly graduated fourth cohort of the Black Entrepreneur Training Academy (BETA) celebrated their achievements.

Communities and economies get boost from cultural events

From summertime outdoor concerts to annual festivals focused on specific cultures, Kalamazoo and its surrounding area has no shortage of arts and cultural and events for the public to attend. These events not only reflect and celebrate community identity but also can give cities and neighborhoods an economic boost.

As teens experience mental health crisis, music therapy is one way they are finding help

Music therapists use music to achieve non-musical, patient-specific goals, says Deanna Bush, instructor and coordinator of student clinical experiences in the WMU music therapy program. During a summer music improvisation class, surrounded by a selection of instruments ranging from beaded shakers to bongo-like tubanos, Bush instructed two students to depict an argument using miniature wooden xylophones. Afterward, the students discussed what they felt during the musical combat.

COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS

El Proyecto de Bienestar Mental

SWMJC inaugural collaborative reporting project focused on mental health in Southwest Michigan. The goal of this project is to shed light on the key issues impacting access to mental health services. This project was funded by Solutions Journalism Network.

Youth Mental Health

In early 2024, SWMJC was awarded a collaborative reporting grant by Solutions Journalism Network to focus on youth mental health. With the U.S. General Surgeon’s recent report on the increased urgency to address youth mental health, this project highlights current solutions.

Equitable Community Development

This collaborative reporting project is focused on economic and community development issues in Southwest Michigan.