United Way of St. Joseph County, Inc.

Founded in 1975, Catholic Family Services is a nonprofit organization that provides a range of social services to more than 22,000 individuals every year. It serves the residents of Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties in southwestern Michigan. The organization administers various programs, including transitional living, youth in transition, case management, adoption services and mental health counseling. Catholic Family Services offers a homeless youth program that includes skill development, housing, education and employment services. It also provides support services for youths in the areas of independent living skills, such as money management, household maintenance and interviewing. The organization has a nine-member board that is responsible for adopting policies, overseeing financial management and guiding the organizational development through long-term planning. Catholic Family Services is located in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Chikaming Open Lands is a local land conservancy in Sawyer, MI, dedicated to preserving the natural rural character and open spaces of southwest Berrien County. They protect and restore native plant and animal habitats, improve water quality in rivers, streams, and Lake Michigan, and permanently preserve ecologically significant forests, prairies, wetlands, and prime farmland. With a focus on land stewardship and volunteerism, Chikaming Open Lands offers opportunities for community members to get involved in preserving and caring for the land. As the leading land conservancy in the area, Chikaming Open Lands works closely with landowners to discuss conservation options that align with their land management goals. They also organize various events and activities, such as hikes to observe animal scat tracks and volunteer days for removing invasive shrubs. Through their efforts, Chikaming Open Lands aims to shape the future of Southwest Michigan, ensuring its natural beauty and resources are protected for generations to come.Generated from the website