Jul 7, 2025 |
Between bites of nachos, Callie and Lila Kincaid gushed about finishing first and second grade at Fremont International Academy before a fun-filled summer participating in the Bearcat Blast program for students in grades K-8.
Their mother, Christy Kincaid, had brought them to the Battle Creek Public Schools Spring Power Family Action event at Battle Creek Central High School on May 21 so the family could connect and learn more about what is happening in the district and the community.
“I’m Interested to see what community resources might be out there that we might be missing,” Christy said. “This is just a great way to connect with the school district and fellow parents from across all grades.”
The event was organized by the Battle Creek Public Schools Family Action Committee and featured free food, games, giveaways and opportunities for Bearcat families to learn more about resources available and sign-up opportunities with local organizations. The participating district partners included S.A.F.E. Place, Bronson Cancer Care Equity Project, Bigger Picture Association, Calhoun County Public Health Department, Milk Like Mine Community Birthing & Breastfeeding Services Center, Eyemart Express, Fatherhood and Family Service Hub, Kyd Network, Summit Pointe and Scouting America Michigan Crossroads Council.
The event also showcased some of the organizations already doing work within the schools, such as Communities in Schools, Battle Creek YMCA Operation Fit and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan (and its Power Up 365 in-school mentoring program).
Mini workshop power sessions were presented in classrooms, with information shared about the Bearcat Advantage scholarship program, the Youth Violence Prevention Program (YVP) at BCPS, Scouts of America and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan.
Marcelle Heath is a 2008 Battle Creek Central graduate, a district parent and the program director for the Fatherhood and Family Service Hub. He said his organization supports the whole family, and the event provided an opportunity to have conversations and share with families the resources that are available to them.
“It’s a cool way to have multiple partners in one space where families have multiple choices where they can pick who they would like to support them,” Heath said. “Here, families can put a face to a support worker in the community. It’s about bridging that gap so that families can see there’s an actual face behind the services being provided.”
Mariama Wurie, Family and Community Engagement Coordinator for BCPS, said the aim of the event was to empower Bearcat families and to highlight the partnerships that help students thrive in and out of the classroom.
“It’s about making sure that families are getting resources and information about what is going on in the community and knowing what our students are a part of in the school,” Wurie said. “We call it the triangle: the school, community and family. We have to all work together for the betterment and success of our families.”
To access services or basic needs like food, healthcare and mental health support, contact your school’s respective Communities In Schools site coordinator. For more information, contact Wurie at 269-998-2360 or mwurie@battle-creek.k12.mi.us.