3/16/2023: An old foundation, a new leader

Thursday, March 16, 2023

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Kalamazoo’s nearly century-old community foundation has named its next leader: a woman known for bringing change to Kalamazoo. Also: Michigan environmentalists are cheering new rules for toxic chemicals. And a local first grader is being hailed as a Heart Hero.

News You Need To Know

Kalamazoo Community Foundation picks new leader

The top nonprofit funding organization in Kalamazoo County has named Grace Lubwama as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. The Kalamazoo Community Foundation, one of the oldest community foundations in the country, has hundreds of millions of dollars in assets and funds dozens of organizations and projects throughout the community each year. (Disclosure: NowKalamazoo is a beneficiary of Kalamazoo Community Foundation funds.)

Lubwama will come to the organization from the YWCA Kalamazoo. She has served as the CEO of the YWCA since 2014. While there, she started the first comprehensive human trafficking program in Michigan as well as established a 24-hour child care center. In a press release, the foundation said they would work closely with the YWCA to ensure a smooth transition. Lubwama will officially begin her work with the foundation in July. The YWCA will begin its search for a new CEO in the coming weeks. [MLive]

Michigan environmentalists cheer proposed PFAS regulations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed new limits for toxic “forever chemicals” in drinking water. Michigan environmental activists say that’s good news that will literally “save lives.” The rules concern chemicals known as PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They’re synthetic compounds used in products such as stain repellents and paints, but they accumulate in the environment and can be extremely toxic to people.

Michigan is one of a few states that regulates the chemicals. PFAS have been a problem in Kalamazoo County. In 2018, Kalamazoo County issued a state of emergency after high levels of the chemicals were found in the Parchment water system. The EPA’s proposal would set limits even tighter than Michigan’s – 4 parts-per-trillion – and would require water providers to test for four such chemicals. The rules will now go through a period of public comment before possibly being adopted later this year. [Michigan Radio]

First grader hailed as Heart Hero by American Heart Association

The American Heart Association (AHA) is celebrating a Galesburg-Augusta first grader for his efforts to raise money as part of the Kids Heart Challenge. Colton Gale, who has autism, raised more than $1,600 as part of the program. Even after the campaign ended, Gale continued, raising $2,053 in the end. In a press release, the AHA said Gale is the first student in the district’s history to raise more than $1,000.

The Kids Heart Challenge raises funds for health education efforts in schools while also teaching kids about heart health. Galesburg-Augusta Primary School has raised over $11,000 for the program, according to the AHA. The school celebrated Gale’s achievement in February with a ceremony where they named the gym for him. [WWMT]