UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN fights for the health, education, and financial stability of every person in every community.

To join the fight - through giving, advocacy, and volunteering - contact us at info@uwsm.org.

What's Trending

The Magic of Stuart MacDonald

Stuart MacDonald spends his days at Whirlpool as a Senior Training Analyst, but he also holds an impressive resume based on his lifelong passion for magic. Now's your chance to see his world-acclaimed act at Lakeshore High School on October 26, with proceeds benefiting United Way of Southwest Michigan.

When: Saturday, October 26 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Lakeshore Community Auditorium, Stevensville

Adults: $15/Children 12 & under: $10

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!

Whirlpool Appliance Sale

Get a great deal for a great cause! Whirlpool Corporation will be selling deeply discounted appliances. All proceeds benefit United Way of Southwest Michigan!

Saturday, November 2 - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, November 3 - 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Location: TBD.

Stay tuned for more details!

Get ready to Rake A Difference!

On November 7&8, 2019, hundreds of area volunteers will mobilize to help seniors in Berrien, Cass, AND Van Buren Counties rake and bag leaves and clean gutters as part of United Way’s annual Day of Action for Seniors. This day serves seniors, age 60 and older, who are physically unable to perform yard work OR can't afford to pay for services.

SENIORS & VOLUNTEERS - SIGNUP NOW!

“26 at 6” is BACK for a second season!

United Way of Southwest Michigan has its very own radio show "26 at 6” that tells 26 stories over 26 weeks of how United Way has impacted lives. Hosted by UWSM president Anna Murphy, “26 at 6” airs every Tuesday at 6 p.m. on 94.9 WSJM.

LISTEN TO EPISODES →

Attention Harbor Country parents!

With a special generous grant from The Pokagon Fund, United Way of Southwest Michigan is expanding Dolly Parton Imagination Library enrollment in Southwest Michigan’s Harbor Country. More kids under the age of 5 living in Harbert, Lakeside, New Buffalo, Sawyer, Three Oaks, and Union Pier will get a jump-start on school-readiness with books mailed each month to their homes.

If you live in Harbor Country, enroll your child HERE!

Everything was at risk.

Angelica Hatchew was having trouble making ends meet while she was on early maternity leave for health reasons from her job at Lyons Industries in Dowagiac. Five months pregnant and with two other children, she was afraid of losing her home. “Everything was at risk,” Angelica says. “I was at the bottom of the bottom.” That’s when she met Nancy Miller, a success coach at The LINK, a program at United Way-funded partner Kinexus. “She was my backbone,” Angelica says. Nancy counseled and reassured Angelica, evaluated her situation and informed her of her options. She helped Angelica connect to disability assistance and utility bill extensions. She directed her to mobile food pantries and ways to get her kids school clothes. After Angelica’s son was born, Nancy saw to it that the newborn received medical insurance.

Watch it

United We Win.

WHY ME? It’s natural for people to ask when their lives and livelihoods hang in the balance. There’s no single answer to that question. But United Way does everything humanly possible to provide responses and solutions that protect, improve and empower lives around Southwest Michigan. Whether it's through volunteerism, our strong nonprofit sector, or community-wide initiatives, change is happening in a big way.

We may be wrapping up our 75th year serving Southwest Michigan, but we’re excited to to begin the next 75. Without the support from our community, we couldn't do the work that we do. But, there is still so much work to be done. Please join the fight. Because change doesn’t happen alone. Hope isn’t a one man band. And there’s no such thing as self-taught or self-made.

We have one life. To live better, we must LIVE UNITED.

View our 2018 Annual Report →