COVID-19 Resources and Support
Here are some online and community resources that are available to parents and individuals. Most of the resources are being offered free to the community by the companies represented.
More resources will be added as they become available and are made aware to the Michigan Works! Southwest staff. As information and resources are changing so rapidly, please be understanding if current links change or new resources are not listed immediately. The Michigan Works! Southwest team is trying to make sure that all links and resource information are as correct as possible. Thanks, and please take advantage of these opportunities for you and your family.
VIRTUAL TOURS
There are a number of free virtual tours of Museums around the globe.
The British Museum – London, England
The Guggenheim – Around the World
The National Gallery of Art – Washington, DC
The National Museum of Natural History – Washington, DC
The Pergamon Museum – Berlin, Germany
The Frida Kahlo Museum – Mexico City, Mexico
The Van Gogh Museum – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Google Presents Virtual Tours of Museums Around the Globe – Around the World
Explore the National Parks, dive into underwater sanctuaries and walk the Botanical Garden in our nation’s capital.
National Parks – Around the US
Virtual Dives – National Maritime Sanctuaries
ENTERTAINMENT
Some free films, both educational and informative, are available here.
There are a number of live, free concerts going on around the web, from opera to rock and so much more. Here are just some:
Friends of the Bohm Theater – Live concert on Facebook on April 6, 2020 from 7-10pm
National Public Radio’s List of Free, Live, Virtual Concerts
There are a number of free books online for you and your family. Here are some:
Project Gutenberg – Free eBooks
The Internet Archive Children’s Library
EPIC! – Digital Library for kids 12 and under
Goodnight with Dolly – Dolly Parton reads books for kids each week
BCPS Reads – Battle Creek Public School teachers read books for kids
Here are some links for activities and games for kids and families.
Fatherly.com – Indoor games for kids and familes
We Are Teachers – Math Card games for students
GoNoodle – Good Energy at home games and videos for kids
Avoid Cabin Fever – 125 ideas to keep kids entertained from Parade Magazine
Woodland Trust – 10 nature activities for kids if you’re self-isolating at home
Miami Herald – What can kids do for free during the coronavirus quarantine
Explore.org – Explore the world with lots of live cams
Discovery Education – Virtual Field Trips and other resources
Here are some entertaining and information resources for kids:
Frozen Actor, Josh Gad, reading to kids on Twitter
The Ultimate Kids’ Guide to the Corona Virus
EPIC! – Digital Library for kids 12 and under
Goodnight with Dolly – Dolly Parton reads books for kids each week
BCPS Reads – Battle Creek Public School teachers read books for kids
SOCIAL, PHYSICAL & MENTAL SUPPORTS
Here are some online support groups or resources.
Camp Quarantine 2020 – Facebook group “Connecting parents of school-aged kids to stay sane during the Great Quarantine of 2020.”
Explain Everything – Twitter resource
fiveable – A social learning platform for AP students
More resources will be added as they come available.
ChildMind.org – Coping during COVID-19 resources for parents
Quartz – Helping pre-teens in a quarantine lockdown
Greater Good Magazine – Guide to well-being during Coronavirus
HEre are some Exercise, Fitness and Mindfulness Resources:
ChildMind.org – Coping during COVID-19 resources for parents
NFL Play 60 – The National Football League’s activities for families
GoNoodle – Excercise for elementary kids
CosmicKids – Stories, yoga and fun for kids
Ms. Nina’s Sing and Move Along – Sing and Move Along song for kids
Wuf Shanti – Yoga Resource and App
SCHOOL & EDUCATION RESOURCES
Links, information and resources from schools in Branch County is available here:
Links, information and resources from schools in Calhoun County is available here:
Battle Creek Public Schools Nutrition Update
Battle Creek Public Schools Online Learning
BCPS Reads – Battle Creek Public School teachers read books for kids
Links, information and resources from schools in Calhoun County is available here:
Links, information and resources from schools in St. Joseph County is available here:
Here are some education companies that are offering free subscriptions and resources during the COVID-19 outbreak:
BCPS Reads – Battle Creek Public School teachers read books for kids
Here are some resources for older students, from high school, to college, to adult learning:
You don’t have to be a school or a teacher…parents can sign up for these resources too!
FOOD RESOURCES
Here are some food resources for children:
BRANCH COUNTY – coming soon
CALHOUN COUNTY – coming soon
KALAMAZOO COUNTY
Kalamazoo Public Schools Food Services
ST. JOSEPH COUNTY – coming soon
Here are some food resources for children:
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes – Offering pre-boxed and curbside pick-up. Learn how to schedule a pick up or to donate.
Meals on Wheels – Senior Services
The following stores offer time specifically for seniors 60+ to shop, while asking all other customers to plan to not shop during these listed times. (Some stores offer these hours to other at-risk customers. Times may also change before this site may be updated. Please see the actual company websites for official details, offerings and hours.)
Dollar General – 8-9 am every day
Meijer – 7-8 am, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Walmart – 7-8 am, Everyday
These stores are currently offering online purchase with local delivery or pick-up. Please note, many stores are currently experiencing high volumes of orders and delivery requests, so same-day delivery may or may not be available.
These stores, as well as others, offer delivery or pick-up for free or at a small fee. Please see their websites for actual details.
Meijer – May be a fee for pickup or delivery. See the website for details about your local store.
Aldi Delivery – May be a fee for pickup or delivery. See the website for details about your local store.
Walmart – Use the website or the Walmart App available from your phone App Store. Please choose your location when ordering.
Below is a Facebook page for Kalamazoo Restaurants that deliver for free:
Kalamazoo Menu – A list of local restaurants that deliver for free.
FAMILY & COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Some of the childcare resources available:
Great Start to Quality – Find Great Start resources here.
St. Luke’s Diaper Bank – Resource for diapers in Kalamazoo
Childcare for Essential Workers and Emergency Responders
Southwest Childcare Resources – Relief childcare for essential workerforce.
YMCA of Great Kalamazoo – Emergency childcare resources
Please see the following to find financial resources:
Albion Coronavirus Toolkit – Information and resources on Coronavirus, for the greater Albion area.
The following articles discuss information and various changes to rules, policies and other financial issues
Autos – Various auto manufacturers are allowing car owners to delay payments
Banking, ABA – The American Bankers Association has a resource guide to the COVID-19 responses by various banks, including any relief or changes.
Banking – A CNBC article detailing some changes that various banks have made
Energy Shutoffs Suspended – Article about the resent suspensions of energy shutoffs
Evictions Suspension – Information about the Governor’s executive order suspending evictions
Food Assistance – Article about the State of Michigan’s approval of additional food assistance
Water Shutoffs Suspended in Kalamazoo – Article about the suspension of water shutoffs in the Kalamazoo area
Depending on your eligibility, the following may provide free or reduced-cost internet access:
AT&T – AT&T COVID-19 Response and Resources
Chater Spectrum Internet – Offering free internet access to homes with students or teachers
Comcast/Xfinity – Affordable Internet for eligible households
FCC’s Lifeline Program – Affordable Internet program from the Federal Communications Commission
Here are some resources and information for Small Businesses:
Michigan Economic Development Corporation
Michigan Small Business Development Center Covid-19 Support
Here are some additional local and state resources and information:
State of Michigan COVID-19 Response
More resources will be added as they become available. Because the COVID-19 outbreak came up so rapidly, we wanted to provide you with information as soon as possible. However, availability of resources and information can change at any moment and Michigan Works! Southwest is neither affiliated with, nor specifically endorses any of these resources.
If you are concerned about your health, or the health of a family member, please seek medical assistance.
Please email support@tuapath.com if you find any of these links not working.
Special thanks to G-Man Graphics and TuaPath, two companies that donated time and effort to make this resource page possible for the Michigan Works! Southwest to offer to our community.
