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Benton Harbor, MI — When neighbors come together to learn, listen, and lead, a community’s future begins to shift. Over the past several months, a group of Benton Harbor residents has been doing just that—meeting after work, asking hard questions, and building the skills needed to act on the issues that matter most to them.

On Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM community members, partners, and families are invited to gather at the Corewell Center for Wellness for an evening of celebration and connection as Be Healthy Berrien and Corewell Health marks a major milestone: the graduation of the inaugural Community Leadership Academy cohort.

The Community Leadership Academy is designed to develop everyday leaders and strengthen collaboration across neighborhoods in Berrien County. This first cohort of twelve participants transformed their learning into action through a Community Improvement Project (CIP) that raises awareness and education around youth gun violence—working toward a shared vision of a safer, healthier Benton Harbor where young people can thrive.

The event offers a chance to celebrate these resident leaders, learn from their journey, and see firsthand how community-driven solutions take shape.

Celebration Highlights

• Graduation & Awards Ceremony
  Participants will receive Certificates of Completion in recognition of their leadership journey.
• Community Leaders & Partners
  Local leaders and organizations will be on hand to connect, support, and build ongoing community capacity.
• Cohort Presentation
  Graduates share their story, what they learned, how they grew, and the vision behind their Community Improvement Project.
• Interactive Stations
  Hands-on exhibits that walk attendees through the project’s process, root causes, and next steps for community impact.

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Voices from the Academy

“This experience gave me the tools and skills to make a real difference. We’re not just talking about change; we’re creating it together,” said Cori Burton, Community Leadership Academy participant.

“The Community Leadership Academy is more than a program; it’s an investment in people. These graduates are helping shape the future of Benton Harbor,” said Dr. LaToya Mason, steering committee member and Dean of Health Sciences at Lake Michigan College.

Why This Matters

Funded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund through a grant to United Way of Southwest Michigan, the Community Leadership Academy ensures that change starts from within the community by equipping residents with the tools, skills, and connections to lead solutions for community well-being.

The momentum continues. With a planned 2026 launch in the cities of Niles and Buchanan, the Community Leadership Academy is laying the groundwork to expand this resident-led model across Berrien County.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, December 11, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Location: Corewell Center for Wellness, 133 W. Main Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

This event is free and open to the public. Media, community members, families, and partners are encouraged to attend and celebrate the power of local leadership.

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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.

The 16-week program engaged six participants representing a range of business models. A structured curriculum, led by subject matter experts with real-world experience, covered product development, finance, marketing, operations, regulatory compliance, and facilities management. The teachings were designed to reflect and resonate with the Benton Harbor community.

Participants accessed certified kitchen facilities, business development classes, and networking opportunities, all designed to help scale their operations. They also used program resource funds to work with a local branding expert, investing in strategies to elevate their brand presence, a move that reflected the community-centered values of the Savor Collective.

Zina Murray, owner of Logan Square Kitchen, served as the lead instructor and coach, sharing insights into local food systems and supporting participants through every stage of growth. 

The program helped entrepreneurs avoid the high costs and risks of jumping directly from cottage food production to owning or renting private commercial space by offering shared kitchen access and hands-on business support.

Key outcomes of the program included:

• Capacity Building: Participants leveraged shared kitchen resources to expand production and explore new offerings.
• Skills Development: Training covered food safety, packaging, finance, compliance, and marketing strategies.
• Brand & Identity Growth: Partnerships with local experts helped participants define and grow their businesses’ visibility.
• Strategic Planning: Minority-owned businesses left the program with tools to strengthen their long-term viability.

This initiative has fostered growth, collaboration, and resilience within Benton Harbor’s food business community.

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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.

New Vendors & More Variety This year’s market is brimming with fresh energy. The 2025 season introduces a lineup of new artisan vendors and pop-up stalls, adding exciting layers to the market’s already rich offerings. Alongside vibrant produce and homemade baked goods, community organizations such as Corewell Health, the Boys and Girls Club, and Great Start Collaborative are also on hand, providing valuable resources and engaging activities.

Committed to Community Wellness Supported by grants from United Way of Southwest Michigan/Be Healthy Berrien, and the American Electric Power Foundation, and managed by the Berrien County Health Department, the market is driven by a clear mission: to improve access to fresh, nutritious food for all Benton Harbor residents especially those in neighborhoods where healthy options are limited. 

Supporting Local, Growing Together The market proudly champions local growers and small businesses, helping boost the regional economy while strengthening the social fabric of Benton Harbor. Each purchase is not just a transaction; it’s an investment in the heartbeat of the community.

Making Healthy Choices Accessible To ensure everyone can enjoy the market’s benefits, several food assistance programs are accepted, including SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, WIC, and Senior Project FRESH. This inclusive approach ensures that every household has a seat at the table and that fresh, nutritious food is within reach for all.

Want to Become a Vendor? Interested in joining this vibrant community of makers and growers? The Berrien County Health Department website offers all the details including applications, requirements, and payment options for prospective vendors ready to bring their goods to the market.

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Be Healthy Berrien, a collective impact initiative anchored by United Way of Southwest Michigan, has received a $150,000 grant from the Michigan Health Endowment Fund to launch the Community Leadership Academy, a project aimed at uplifting health and wellness in Berrien County through local leadership.

Driven by Partnership, Rooted in Community In partnership with Corewell Health, this initiative empowers residents to become catalysts for change, fostering healthier, safer, and more equitable neighborhoods. Together, the organizations will create a robust curriculum, manage program operations and evaluation, and plan for long-term sustainability. After the two-year grant period, the Academy will transition to Corewell Health’s Center for Wellness in Benton Harbor for ongoing implementation and growth.

Fueling Grassroots Leadership The Academy offers a 10-week training series for residents seeking to strengthen their neighborhoods. Sessions explore community leadership, crime prevention and safety, land use and active transportation, and healthy food systems. More than education, the Academy sparks collaboration and helps build a shared vision for lasting change.

Mobilizing Collective Action Through outreach, civic engagement, and partnerships, the Academy lays the foundation for strong, interconnected community networks. These efforts continue to mobilize residents in solving problems and building a healthier, safer, and more vibrant Berrien County.

Ready to Lead Change The Academy seeks passionate, committed residents from the 49022 zip code to join us for the first cohort which begins in September. Behealthyberrien.org/CLA

Be Healthy Berrien is a true community-wide collaboration, led by a dedicated Steering Committee of partner organizations.  These partners have come together to build a shared vision to work together in building a healthier community.

YMCA of Greater Michiana is a founding member of the Be Healthy Berrien partnership, first as two separate organizations—the Benton Harbor–St. Joseph YMCA and the Niles–Buchanan YMCA—and now as one unified association. Monica Norton, Senior Healthy Living Director at the YMCA of Greater Michiana, is a new member of the Be Healthy Berrien Steering Committee, where she contributes to guiding the partnership’s vision and community impact.

In her role, Monica brings a fresh perspective and a strong commitment to program integration and advocacy, working to align Be Healthy Berrien’s goals with the YMCA’s everyday work. Her collaborative approach helps strengthen partnerships, elevate community voices, and advance shared efforts to build healthier, more connected communities across Berrien County.

Learn more about the Be Healthy Berrien Team and how we are working together to build a healthier Southwest Michigan at https://behealthyberrien.org/meet-the-team/.

Our success wouldn’t be possible without the work and commitment of our Steering Committee! These partners build the strategies that are leading to healthier communities across Southwest Michigan. Be Healthy Berrien uses a Collective Impact model – meaning that every one of our partners has committed to working together toward our Shared Vision and making changes in their organization to lead the way to healthier communities.

Since Be Healthy Berrien’s inception in 2010, the Berrien County Health Department has been an indispensable ally, offering leadership and bridging our initiatives to help those in need in our community. Health Officer Guy Miller advises the Be Healthy Berrien Steering Committee on organization’s projects, allocates health department personnel to operate and support the Benton Harbor Farmers Market, promotes grant opportunities and fosters synergies between partners and collaborators.

Learn more about the Be Healthy Berrien Team and how we are working together to build a healthier Southwest Michigan at www.behealthyberrien.org.