Disability Network Southwest Michigan

11/07/2025

ANOTHER UPDATE FOR SNAP BENEFICIARIES: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has been orderd to issue full November Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits by today, Friday, Nov. 7. Once funds are received by the state of Michigan, SNAP beneficiaries who normally receive their benefits on the 3rd, 5th, or 7th of the month should receive their FULL SNAP allotment within 48 hours of MDHHS receiving the funds. All other SNAP recipients will receive their full benefit payments on their normally scheduled date.

This is different than what we shared yesterday, which stated benefits would be provided at about 50% the normal amount this month.

Remember these resources:
https://mi211.org/ - free, confidential assistance and referrals to local food programs and support services
https://www.fbcmich.org/ - locate nearby food banks
https://doubleupfoodbucks.org/ - locate stores offering vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables, good through December 31

Need help with food, housing, or paying utility bills? Need help with a community disaster? Just call, text, or search online to find help.

11/06/2025

UPDATE FOR SNAP BENEFICIARIES: We've learned that SNAP beneficiaries who normally receive their benefits on the 3rd, 5th, or 7th of the month will receive November benefits this Saturday, November 8 — but at a reduced amount, around 50%. All other beneficiaries will receive partial benefits on their normally scheduled benefits date.

Remember that 2-1-1 has the most up-to-date info on local food resources, or you can call us if you need assistance navigating that information.

More here ➡️ https://loom.ly/f7NSgPk

Michigan's Women, Infants & Children program, providing supplemental nutrition, breastfeeding information, and other resources for healthy mothers & babies.

11/06/2025

: On Thursdays we highlight something we're thankful for and today it's Region IV Area Agency on Aging.

We love our neighbors! 🎉 Our staff had a great time celebrating with our friends at Area Agency on Aging Region IV at their annual dinner. Sharing a building means sharing a goal—supporting our community together!

ID: Staff members Kathy, Cindy, and Jackie with President & CEO Kelley, attending Area Agency on Aging's annual meeting.

11/05/2025

: Every Wednesday, we want to share some good news happening here at DN and in our community. Today we're sharing a little teaser about our customer, Mary. Mary was trapped inside her home — until our team stepped in and opened the world back up to her. Stay tuned for her powerful story in our year-end campaign!

VID: Mary, a white woman with white hair and Ace bandages around her lower legs, seated in a wheelchair in her kitchen.

11/04/2025

: On Tuesdays we'll post a tip about the . Our hope is that this gives you better insight into who we are and what we stand for.

Today we want to share that every person who lives with a disability has their own unique journey. Two people with the same disability may be impacted by that disability in totally different ways, experience different barriers, and have different needs, as well as different strengths.

ID: DNSWM logo; text: Every disability is unique. No two people share the exact same lived experience. Listening to each story helps us build a more inclusive community.

11/03/2025

! Every first Monday of the month we'll introduce you to someone on our team. Today, we'd like to introduce you to Max. Max started at the agency in 2018. They are a Community Education Coordinator and facilitator of the Autistic Adult Peer Support Group. When asked what they love about working at DNSWM, Max said they get to research their Special Interests and share information with others. Max also stated, "My favorite thing about community education is seeing the moment when people realize something new about themselves or other people in their lives." Another fun fact, Max helps their partner run an urban farm called Bringers of the Burning Berry LLC that specializes in uncommon chili peppers. (We've had their hot sauce and it's fire!)🌶️🔥

ID: Photo of staff member, Max, a person with pink and purple hair and a silver nose ring; text: Spotlight on our dedicated team: Max Hornick, Community Education Coordinator. "My favorite thing about community education is seeing the moment when people realize something new about themselves or other people in their lives."

11/03/2025

🍂💻 New month, new free learning opportunities! Register now for our November webinars. PLUS! We’re excited to announce the return of our Movie & Discussion Series. Be sure to join us 11/20 to watch and talk about the film "The R-Word."

Register for these events here ➡️ https://loom.ly/03YNsU4

ID: Text: Events This Month. November. 6: Webinar: Disability Language & Etiquette, 2:30 to 4:00 PM; 7: Webinar: Understanding Hidden Disabilities, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM; 12: Webinar: Accessible Content, 10:00 to 11:30 AM; 20: Movie & Discussion: The R-Word, 1:30 to 3:00 PM.

10/31/2025

🎃 No tricks—just treating everyone with inclusion, access, and a little Halloween magic. Happy Halloween from all of us at Disability Network! 👻

ID: Disability Network Southwest Michigan logo. Three ghosts wearing orange hats and carrying drinks and pumpkins; text: Happy Halloween, boo!

10/30/2025

: On Thursdays we highlight something we're thankful for. Today we're shouting our gratitude for the team at Meijer on Gull Road! Meijer generously matched gifts from first-time donors who contributed $100+ at our recent Breaking Barriers Breakfast. This match doubled the impact of those new gifts—helping us reach even more individuals and advance our vision of a fully accessible community where disability is valued as human diversity and everyone belongs.

ID: A graphic with the Meijer logo and a photo of a group of people in the Meijer lobby with a large check made out to Disability Network Southwest Michigan. Text: Thank you for supporting our Mission and Vision.

10/29/2025

: Every Wednesday we want to share some good news happening here at DN and in our community.

October kept us busy in the best way! Our staff attended numerous different events across our eight-county service area—sharing resources, building connections, and lifting up disability inclusion wherever we go. We love being out in the community with you!

ID 1: Staff member Jerry at Oshtemo Township Fire Department's Fire Prevention & Community Outreach Day.
ID 2: Staff members Lauren and Jalen at the Calhoun County Government VA Stand Down & County Connect.
ID 3: Staff members Kristi O. and Lisa B. at the Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services - HCS Kalamazoo County Senior Expo.
ID 4: Brain Injury Survivors peer support group meeting for a bonfire at staff member Anne's house.
ID 5: Staff member Allison at Heart for Home's Adoptive Kinship Resource Fair.

10/28/2025

: On Tuesdays we'll post a tip about the . Our hope is that this gives you better insight into who we are and what we stand for.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). Something we hear ALL the time is the misconception that people who receive Social Security disability benefits and Medicare or Medicaid health coverage will lose these vital resources if they have a job. In reality, Social Security Disability Benefits Planners at Disability Network can work with individuals to develop customized plans to become employed without entirely losing their benefits. The purpose of this service is to help individuals gain greater financial independence and stability.

Contact Pete or Tim for more info! Don't rule out employment simply because you have SSI or SSDI benefits.
Pete: https://loom.ly/8qmzKYw
Tim: https://loom.ly/7Y4jsoM



ID: True or False: People with disability benefits like SSDI & SSI can’t work, otherwise they’ll lose their cash benefit & healthcare. A: False! Big, fat lie! So not true!

10/27/2025

Wow, this has been a jam-packed month! But let's not forget, October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month — a time to celebrate the talents, joy, and individuality of people with Down Syndrome. We LOVED this story about weather enthusiast CJ Riemer, the face of WCJR Weather, a social media account that started during the pandemic as a unique way for CJ to work on his speech. Everyone can use a little extra brightness and fun in their weather report. You go, CJ! ☀️🌧️

Check out his story here➡️ https://loom.ly/zOoB6qo

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, a time to celebrate the abilities and contributions of people with Down Syndrome in a spirit of inclusion and respect.