Author

Al Jones

Al Jones

Al Jones is a freelance writer who has worked for many years as a reporter, editor, and columnist. He is the Project Editor for On the Ground Kalamazoo.

Al Jones's Latest Articles

Kalamazoo County Housing Millage portal opens for creative new solutions

In a move to consolidate housing funding requests for housing, the Kalamazoo County Housing's AmpliFund Portal is seeking to become a one-stop funding source for ARPA and county resources.

Downpayment Assistance in Kalamazoo expands to help more people buy homes

As the affordable housing crisis continues, some Kalamazoo organizations are finding new ways to provide downpayment assistance to help first-time home buyers purchase a new home.

Kalamazoo’s neighborhood activator plans to be very active this year

Kalamazoo's Neighborhood Activator Jacqueline Slaby is taking her title seriously by activating city current neighborhood plans and seeking to include new neighborhood plans, like Stuart and Westwood.

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.

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.

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