Do you see untapped potential in your neighborhood? Are you ready to lead the change you want to see? The Community Leadership Academy is now accepting applications for its first cohort, launching in September 2025 in Benton Harbor and Benton Township within the 49022 ZIP code. If you’re a resident with a passion for community, bold ideas, and a commitment to making a difference, this FREE program is for you. 

The Whirlpool Appliance Sale will take place in-person and earlier this year Saturday, August 23 from 8am-4pm, and Sunday, August 24 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. This year’s sale is moving to the former Rosback building at 125 Hawthorne Ave in St. Joseph. The sale is open to the public and offers 300+ discounted Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir and Whirlpool brand ovens, ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, washers and dryers at significant savings. All major appliances are new with a full one-year warranty. The sale will also feature Gladiator, and KitchenAid small appliances and accessories offered at exclusive prices. Cash and credit cards will be accepted for this sale, and home delivery will be available for a $100 donation per appliance within a 15-mile radius of St. Joseph. 100% of the proceeds from the appliances sold benefit United Way of Southwest Michigan.

United Way of Southwest Michigan is gearing up to ensure that every child in Cass County has the tools they need to succeed for the upcoming school year as part of School Supply Spectacular. The annual event is back for another year to provide free backpacks filled with essential school supplies to local students.

Since kicking off on June 18th, the Benton Harbor Farmers Market has once again proven to be a beloved summer tradition and a vital resource for the community. Running through September 24th, the market quickly built momentum, drawing nearly 600 visitors on its second day alone, a true testament to its role as a gathering place for fresh food, creative crafts, and meaningful connections.

The highly anticipated annual cardboard boat race on the St. Joseph River channel saw nearly a thousand spectators with 19 boats participating for a great cause.

United Way of Southwest Michigan’s ROCK THE BOAT Cardboard Boat Races, Presented by Honor Credit Union, are back at the Inn at Harbor Shores on the St. Joseph River Channel this Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 5pm. The event is free to attend and open to the public with parking available down the street from the Inn at Harbor Shores on the opposite side of the Gast Parkway overpass.

The Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation in partnership with Be Healthy Berrien launched the Savor Collective, an incubator program developed to support local food entrepreneurs and farmers. Supported by a grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the New Ventures Fund, sustainable cities initiative project. The program focused on helping socially disadvantaged businesses by offering technical support and resources.

In a bit of a ‘perfect storm’ scenario, United Way of Southwest Michigan President & CEO Anna Murphy said changes in the economy & workforce locally coinciding with the changes to federal, and eventually, state budgets, are making things exceptionally challenging. “Everything around us is quickly adapting and changing, so our organization’s sustainability mission for the future is to be agile and nimble with our processes. Whether that’s raising funds or making funding decisions, it’s all about closely following the need where it exists. As these potential changes become reality, we reassessed how we could best invest what funding we still have available to make the most impact in our communities.

United Way of Southwest Michigan’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, commonly known as VITA (pronounced VYE-tuh), is excited to announce the program’s volunteers assisted over 1,100 clients across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties with tax preparation & filing. The result is over $1.3 Million in tax refunds returned to Southwest Michigan residents through this vital program.