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.
Volunteer Jan van Schaik says apart from the obvious need for shelter, Kalamazoo's homeless need to be seen as fellow humans. His work with the unhoused, handing out food, hot chocolate, coffee, and providing mentorship as needed, and as importantly showing them he recognizes them by name.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Remy is not homeless anymore and neither is Yancy Barrett, her person. He says caring for Remy has helped save his life.
Many organizations across the community work to provide resources for the unhoused, especially as winter approaches. Grassroots organizers, nonprofits, and city and county officials all have roles in the effort.
Efforts to find a place for those without housing have taken a step forward in Kalamazoo as 60 subsidized, efficiency-style apartments officially opened Friday, Oct. 7, 2022, The months-long conversion of the former Knights Inn Motel at 1211 S. Westnedge Ave. has been completed and the LodgeHouse is available for occupancy.
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