Pops is a peacekeeper. He also advocates in any way he can to help others and is always trying to get people in need, the supplies they need. He is also a kind ear and sympathetic friend. And Pops has been homeless off-and-on for the past eight years, and unsheltered for the past two years straight until recently.
Street Medicine Kalamazoo came out of the Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine early in 2021 to take healthcare directly to the most underserved population, the unsheltered. Now they conduct an open-air clinic Mondays near PFC and Wednesdays at Ministry.
The needs of people living outside are many. The volunteer group United for the Unsheltered works to get them food and they give out hygiene kits, clothes, supplies for pets, and more. Often they are traveling to hidden encampments where the need is greatest.
Remy is not homeless anymore and neither is Yancy Barrett, her person. He says caring for Remy has helped save his life.
The former detailing shop can accommodate Patrick Hershberger's and Chad Burke's respective businesses with room for paint storage and studio space, maybe a gallery space to show his work; it also has high ceilings for multiple shelves of bikes, and areas for bike mechanics, painting, and bodywork.
Like some Kalamazoo neighborhood spots, natural places, cemeteries, etc., the Michigan Festival of Sacred Music's Music in Place project has just been quietly existing, waiting for people to discover what's special about it.
The Edison Jazz Fest will bring national and local jazz luminaries to Kalamazoo to perform in the neighborhood Sept. 12-18. The Dormouse Theatre, Jerico, La Luna Recording, and The Creamery's rooftop garden will be the venues.
Home Start Initiative, a plan for cooperative living near the site of the Ampersee homeless encampment, hopes to be sustainable, correct injustices, and give women and children shelter. But they need $4 million.
A group of Kalamazoo landlords talk about their role in creating and maintaining affordable housing in an economic environment where their costs are rising.
The City of Kalamazoo has begun to transform major arterial roads into city streets. We hear from traffic engineer Dennis Randolph and City Planner Christina Anderson about the how and why, and go for a ride with transportation engineer/non-motorized activist Dustin Black to get the pros and cons of the new Westnedge and Park.
Our Sponsors
Our Media Partners
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
