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’s ‘Speak It Forward’ continues to help others find their voice and celebrate success

Speak It Forward hosts the Kirk Latimer Celebration of Success, the group's 16th event that will highlight a year's worth of working with youth and honor its late co-founder. The event takes place at 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, at Chenery Auditorium.   

The Kalamazoo Promise keeping its generous promise and more for 20 years

Still going strong after two decades, the Kalamazoo Promise has grown and pivoted to adjust to current trends and needs. "We started to realize that every student's story is unique." 

Among those turning the first shovels of dirt at Mt. Zion Baptist Church's Legacy Senior Living project  are Rev. Christopher Moore, First Lady Gwendolyn Moore, Pastor Addis Moore and Edison Community Partners Senior Development Jason Muniz.
Persistence and prayer make senior housing a reality in Kalamazoo’s Northside Neighborhood

Legacy Senior Living, a 70-unit affordable apartment complex for people age 55 or older is expected to be completed in the next 17 to 18 months. More than 200 people attended Mt. Zion Baptist Church's groundbreaking for the of two, three-story buildings.

Kalamazoo launches the ‘Plan It!’ phase for creating a new 10-year master plan

“In Kalamazoo, we have a proven track record of turning community vision into action: Ninety-nine percent of the actions in Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 have been completed or are in progress. This wouldn’t be possible without our community showing up and sharing their voices, ideas, and energy to help shape our community.” 

Rx Kids expands its prescription for health, hope, and opportunity in Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo Rx Kids will provide participants a one-time, lump-sum, prenatal allowance of $1,500 and an additional $500 per month for the first 12 months of a newborn's life. Sponsored by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and partners, the program will begin in February.

Kalamazoo’s homeless face cold waves — natural and political

As the unhoused struggle to get out of the cold they  also facethe harsh possibility of a loss of services from local and state organizations as the new Trump administration looks to freeze federal grants and loans. The status of the funding freeze is fast-moving and may have changed by the time you read this story. 

New income-based senior apartments take on tenants at 530 Rose in downtown Kalamazoo

The new 64-unit senior housing development, 530 Rose Place, is a five-story structure that includes off-street parking on the ground level and lounges on each of its living floors. It will feature a central courtyard that will have greenspace and a fountain.  

‘Tiny’ house project sends a hard-to-place population to the front of the line

Tiny houses, a project that has been years in the making, has celebrated its grand opening in Kalamazoo. Each of the one-story houses – which have about 410 square feet of living space – was built to provide housing for individuals who are trying to improve their lives after being incarcerated or after recovering from substance abuse disorders 

For Christmas, this Kalamazoo group is booking hotel rooms for the unhoused

A local advocacy group is working to provide a safe and warm Christmas setting for up to 100 unhoused people in the greater Kalamazoo area. Find out how Kalamazoo Together for the Unhoused is working to raise money, collect contributions, and schedule volunteer efforts for its third annual Heads in Beds for Christmas.

It’s first-come first-served for four new houses in Kalamazoo’s Northside neighborhood

Prospective homeowners must be first-time home-buyers, pre-approved by a mortgage lender, represented by a Realtor, and have participated in at least one of three home-buying workshops conducted at NACD. Beyond that the process to obtain one of the four homes is first-come first-served.

Our Sponsors

Gilmore Foundation

Our Media Partners

Battle Creek Community Foundation
Enna Foundation
BINDA Foundation
Southwest Journalism Media Collaborative
Southwest Michigan First
Milestone Senior Services
Consumers Energy

Common Ground Is Brewing

Support local stories and receive our signature roast straight to your door when you join at the Standard level (or above).

Drink Better, Read Local

Close the CTA

Don't miss out!

Everything Southwest Michigan, in your inbox every week.

Close the CTA

Already a subscriber? Enter your email to hide this popup in the future.