2023 outlook: Local leaders hope to tackle three of Kalamazoo’s toughest problems
As 2023 gets underway, Kalamazoo leaders have some hopes and plans for the community and a common vision for housing, safety, and equity.
Al Jones's Latest Articles
Milestone Senior Services helps elders stay in homes — one furnace, handrail, and ramp at a time
Milestone Senior Services administers several programs and services to help seniors and the disabled live independently, including home repairs and the installation of safety features. “They really care,” one senior says. “A lot of people might come in and do something. But these people really care.”
Doorbell camera program helps 200 Kalamazoo area households find a bit more security
A doorbell camera initiative in Kalamazoo's core neighborhoods will benefit 200 households. The program is being funded by the City of Kalamazoo and administered by Building Blocks of Kalamazoo.
Getting out of the cold: Advocates work to open warming shelters for Kalamazoo’s unhoused population
How are the unhoused managing to get through inclement weather? Some people are on their own. Some will venture into the shelters when there’s crazy weather. And then some will work together to form whatever community, wherever that can be located.
Heritage Community of Kalamazoo opens a new independent living community for older adults
People aged 60 and older are retiring in huge numbers. They’re more active, live longer, and embrace more innovative ways to live independently than earlier retirees. Revel Creek at the Heritage Community in Kalamazoo was built for them.
Soulful events center offers a new concept for food, drink, song, and dance in downtown Kalamazoo
Kimberly Guess wants to create the type of social experiences that she would like to go to in Kalamazoo. So she works with individuals and organizations to plan and organize parties, receptions, meetings, reunions, and all sorts of private gatherings at The Xperience by Luxury Escapes, a 3,200-square-foot venue downtown.
As the need for shelter rises and temps drop, Kalamazoo’s drop-in center plans to remain flexible
Ministry With Community helps lots of people who are unhoused. And Executive Director Kelly Henderson says the nonprofit is seeing more working people who are struggling to put food on the table. The number of people of all kinds who need help is rising.
City of Kalamazoo has a pre-approved plan for new housing development
With several of their collaborative partners, Kalamazoo city officials showcased a new housing project in the Vine Neighborhood that will become a model of pre-selected, pre-approved, and pre-permitted plans that can be used to build housing on city property lots.
What’s in the cupboard? Opportunities to help the hungry, build self-reliance, bring folks together
The Edison Neighborhood Association has become home to the Community Cupboard, an outdoor, closet-sized shed with a refrigerator to provide food at any time of day to those in need.
Coffee anyone? Water Street Coffee Joint opens new location on Harrison St. in downtown Kalamazoo
Efforts to develop and redevelop properties in Kalamazoo’s Northside Neighborhood got a fresh-roasted jolt recently with the opening of the sixth location of the Water Street Coffee Joint.
