Northside

A rich heritage of churches, institutions and history defines the Northside neighborhood for many longtime residents. The stamina, longevity, and a cooperative spirit embodied by the elephant, whose bones may well be buried in the neighborhood, are well-represented on the Northside, through its institutions, people and spirit. Northside is the second neighborhood being covered in the “On the Ground" series which amplifies the voices of Northside Neighborhood residents. Over four months, Second Wave journalists will be embedded in the Northside Neighborhood to explore topics of importance to residents, business owners, and other members of the community.  The On the Ground program is made possible by funding from the City of Kalamazoo, LISC, the Fetzer Institute, the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, Michigan WORKS!, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.

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.

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.

A work in progress: City of Kalamazoo takes a big step in guiding how we roll

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.

Neighbors come together for fun and information during National Night Out in Kalamazoo

Pamphlets, fliers, business cards, and lots of information about community projects, city services, educational opportunities, job opportunities, civic affairs, and human services was available Tuesday in Kalamazoo’s core neighborhoods.

National Night Out 2022 is set to be a great time for Kalamazoo neighbors to check in

Resident associations in the Northside Neighborhood, Eastside Neighborhood, Vine and Edison neighborhoods will bring people together on Aug. 2, by hosting free, casual, family-friendly activities.

Kalamazoo’s Northside Association for Community Development focuses on homeownership, skill training

NACD in Kalamazoo plans to begin the construction this year of four single-family houses on what are now vacant parcels of land as part of the neighborhood’s plan to see an increase in the amount of affordable housing as well as an increase in home ownership and business ownership.

Let there be more light, say resident-empowerment groups working together in Kalamazoo

Residents of Kalamazoo’s Northside neighborhood are working to enhance the neighborhood, by shining light on problems that need attention and working to fix them -- literally. And they are working with Building Blocks Kalamazoo to make it happen.

Big pay raises attract health care applicants to Family Health Center in Kalamazoo

The nonprofit health clinic serving citizens of Kalamazoo County has implemented a sweeping change in employee compensation that puts Family Health Center on the leading edge of pay practices in health care.

Northside Association in Kalamazoo sets plans to build houses and help residents buy them

The Northside Association for Community Development is working to build 21 new houses in the neighborhood and recently hosted the first in what will be a series of meetings to allow people to ask questions and learn what they need to know to buy one of the new houses.

Wanted: Dedicated, trustworthy leader for a tough but rewarding job in a neighborhood near you

The president of the Milwood Neighborhood Watch Association has died. The Executive Director of the Edison Neighborhood Association will retire this month. Two other core neighborhoods have executive directors who are planning their exits when major projects are finished. How will this transfer of leadership affect Kalamazoo's neighborhoods?

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