Community spotlights: October 2025 

As autumn unfolds, we’re highlighting stories that reflect the strength and creativity of families, leaders and partners dedicated to children’s wellbeing. Across communities, W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) grantees are advancing opportunities that help every child thrive. 

Mexico  

• The Structure Within fosters dialogue on internalized oppression and racism through multimedia storytelling. In one of the initiative’s recent podcasts, WKKF Program Officer Sebastián Frías discusses transforming defensiveness into connection.  

Michigan  

• Fair Food Network’s Double Up Food Bucks program is expanding support for Michigan families receiving SNAP, offering unlimited produce matches and new frozen-produce eligibility during the temporary federal benefit pause. 

• Michigan League for Public Policy and Kent Food Policy Council are advocating to protect families’ food access as federal SNAP changes put Michigan’s youngest children at risk of losing vital nutrition support. 

• Expanded Rx Kids funding will give Michigan families cash relief, easing housing and child care costs so nearly 100,000 babies can have healthier, more stable starts.  

• Grand Valley State University fuels Michigan’s economy with a $3 billion annual impact, providing return of $369 million in tax revenue on an investment of $98 million in state aid.  

• Backed by a new $2 million Knight Foundation grant, Detroit’s Black Tech Saturdays will expand training, creating pathways to jobs and $10 million in income opportunities.  

• The City of Battle Creek is rethinking housing and exploring incentives and capital to expand affordable, mixed-income options citywide.  

Mississippi   

• The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians opened the new Pearl River Child Development Facility. It offers safe, modern classrooms and play spaces to support Tribal children’s early learning.    

• With nearly $3 million in new state funding, Mississippi will expand its Teacher Residency Program from 35 to 236 participants annually, providing tuition, test prep and mentoring for aspiring educators in critical shortage areas.  

• NOTUS announced the expansion of its Washington Bureau Initiative, partnering with 13 local outlets — including Mississippi Today and Verite News — to co-publish political reporting from Washington.  

Haiti  

• Fonkoze Financial Services offers economic stability and opportunity to small business owners and farmers in Haiti’s rural communities.  

New Orleans  

• United Way of Southeast Louisiana launched the Government Shutdown Relief Fund to support workers, families and nonprofits with essential needs such as food, housing and utility assistance. 

• Three Louisiana grantees — Greater New Orleans Foundation, Louisiana Public Health Institute and Together New Orleans — were named finalists in the $50 million Gulf Futures Challenge.  

• The New Orleans City Council unanimously approved the Healthy Workplace Program. This Step Up Louisiana initiative recognizes employers that provide living wages, paid leave and health care and support organizing rights.  

U.S. National   

• As SNAP funds risk running out Nov. 1, the National WIC Association is advocating to protect WIC benefits and ensure continued support for women, infants and children during the shutdown. 

• The Center for the Study of Child Care Employment released a new toolkit. It provides a framework to challenge systemic oppression and pursue justice for the early care and education workforce.  

• Apis & Heritage Capital Partners is driving economic growth by increasing employee ownership in local businesses for low- and moderate-income workers.  

Sign up to receive monthly updates and personalize your preferences to receive updates on the topics and places you care about most. Updates are delivered directly to your inbox each month.