The United Way of Southwest Michigan is closing its office in Paw Paw. Spokesperson Jennifer Tomshack tells us the group has kept the Paw Paw office open since it merged with the United Way of Van Buren County. Closing the office in Paw Paw has been part of the plan since the merger last summer.
“The Van Buren team will continue to serve Van Buren County just like always, bu from the UWSWM office, albeit remotely during the pandemic,” Tomshack said.
Tomshack says having all services for the three counties served by the United Way of Southwest Michigan — Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren — in one office will be more efficient.
“The merger really benefits Van Buren County. This entire initiative really helps all three counties in southwest Michigan because now we’re a bigger and better organization than ever, and we can scale our impact on all of these geographies with greater resources and fewer redundancies.”
Vera Sebree continues to run Van Buren County operations for the United Way of Southwest Michigan, and she’ll still be reachable at the old number. Tomshack says the free tax preparation program, VITA, will still be offered in Van Buren County, only out of a different location in Paw Paw. That site has yet to be identified.
