It’s been three years since Wimee’s Words first premiered on PBS in Michigan, and what began as a small puppet show has grown into a series reaching millions of households across the U.S. Now airing nationwide, the show’s creators are taking things further — using storytelling, rhyme and play to explore deeper topics like empathy through the eyes of the animated wide-eyed robot.
Education transforms lives. See how Doña Ana Community College supports New Majority Learners with career discovery, financial literacy, and community empowerment.
Kids of all ages dipped brushes into bright paint, covering large wooden letters that spelled out “THE CREEK” at Mill Race Park in downtown Battle Creek, Mich. The hands-on mural was just one art activity at the fifth annual Color the Creek Youth Day, held Aug. 13. Children also created chalk murals, experimented with botanical printmaking with Plumeria Boutique, tie-dyed T-shirts with New Union Market, spray-painted with local artists and cooled off with free ice cream. The event, supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, is part of the week-long Color the Creek festival, which has brought more than 60 large-scale
The True Cost of Economic Security Measure developed by FPWA and the Urban Institute reveals that more than half of U.S. families — especially those with children — lack the resources needed to thrive, underscoring the urgent need for policies that reflect the real costs of raising children today.
Read first-hand reflections on recovery, reimagining and lasting change in the years since Hurricane Katrina by those who have led their communities.
WKKF is investing heavily in early care and education in Grand Rapids, recognizing its importance for the city’s future by supporting the renewal of funding initiatives, expansion of preschool access and creation of evidence-based summer and year-round programs. Through partnerships, play-based learning and strong community engagement, GRPS aims to eliminate barriers and ensure all young children are ready to thrive in school and beyond.
With the support of a Michigan Women Forward program, an early childhood caregiver gained the tools, training and resources to grow her business.
Food systems Ben Fugate, a member of WKKF grantee FoodCorps, wrote an original song called “Grow,” inspired by his food education work in Perry County, Kentucky. Ben was placed with partner organization Northfork Local Food and taught classes at the same elementary school he attended as a child. The schools in Perry County offer free lunch to every child and assistance to families during the summer months to ensure that no child goes hungry. Ben’s song is a reflection of the tight-knit community he grew up in and his connection to the children he taught. The accompanying video highlights the
Carmita Champ put her dreams on hold to raise her child and follow traditional career paths. After COVID-19 disrupted her administrative career, she returned to her roots—pursuing a future in the skilled trades and proving it’s never too late to start again.
Discover how the Community Leadership Network helps leaders grow their impact and create lasting change for children and families.
Nearly 300 community leaders, organizers and change agents gathered in Mérida, Yucatán, for Sembrando Alianzas, a multi-day convening hosted by WKKF in June 2025. The gathering brought together grantees and partners from across Chiapas, Yucatán Peninsula and beyond, united by a shared commitment to creating more equitable, thriving communities for children and families in Mexico.
A bi-weekly news roundup of WKKF grantees, investments, communities and partnerships.