Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence - Helping us through
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Annual Newsletter | 2020
Kalamazoo
Foundation for
Excellence
$120+ Million
Helping us through In 2021, the FFE will surpass $120
COVID-19
million committed to achieving
Kalamazoo’s vision (page 4).
The importance of partnerships and shared Projects Map
vision became clearer than ever as our FFE-supported projects are taking
community responded to the challenges shape and impacting lives in all of
of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of Kalamazoo’s neighborhoods (page 6).
individuals and dozens of organizations
continue to devote themselves to helping in Affordable Housing
this crisis. The Foundation for Excellence is The FFE is helping to keep people in
proud to help our community through this their homes and add hundreds of new
unprecedented time (read more inside). units of affordable housing (page 10).
COVID-19 Response
Supporting Kalamazoo through COVID-19
In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly changed life across the globe. The Foundation for
Excellence quickly made life-saving and job-saving investments in Kalamazoo.
Helping the collaboration. Access meant crashing because of demand,”
Helpers funding technology and said Director of Community
The first action the Kalamazoo navigator roles to help people Planning & Economic
City Commission took to through unemployment for Development Rebekah Kik,
help soften impacts of the first time, language “the City was lending bridge
the unfolding COVID-19 translation for meetings and dollars. Small businesses got
crisis was to support the printed materials, and basic that money right away, and Students get help with their virtual learning at a
Disaster Relief Fund resources for marginalized we are still working with them Learning Hub hosted by El Concilio. year program called Digital
(DRF) in partnership with populations. Neighborhood closely today.” Access for All. This is a
the United Way of the involvement ensured needs Mitchell said. “The Small One area of emphasis partnership of the City (with
Battle Creek and Kalamazoo were addressed in an Community Investment Business Loan Fund has had identified was in responding to Foundation for Excellence
Region (UWBCKR). This fund orchestrated way, often on a Manager Antonio Mitchell a really good impact on the the needs of all businesses. In funding), Kalamazoo Public
supports direct service and block-by-block level. conveyed the scale of the city. We helped people keep a time of crisis, that included Schools (KPS), the Kalamazoo
non-profit organizations to undertaking. “We normally employees and keep lights on.” leveraging grant dollars to Public Library, the Kalamazoo
help when things are most “We came together in a would not get this many create a micro-enterprise fund Promise, and Kalamazoo
dire. Overall, 50 non-profit crisis to solve problems and resources out the door in a Longer term, the City is for businesses that may not Community Foundation. Up
organizations were given addressed immediate need,” two year time period,” he said, seeing a path forward out even have had the resources to 1,000 KPS households
financial assistance by the said Alyssa Stewart, VP of “what we did in those first of COVID-19. “We are to apply for a low-barrier can receive access to create
DRF between March and June Impact and Engagement for three months.” transitioning into a business loan or were concerned about more equitable distance
2020. Approximately 18% of UWBCKR, “and it brought us response and stabilization taking on additional debt learning during the COVID-19
DRF dollars came from the together to look at lasting Kalamazoo Small Business plan in 2021 because of the during an uncertain time. pandemic.
City’s $310,000 grant using solutions for how we can work Loan Fund resources COVID response work in
Foundation for Excellence together. Lives were saved.” were made available in 2020,” Mitchell said. “A focus The Kalamazoo Micro- Challenges remain for
funds in March. partnership with the United of the City is to increase and Enterprise Grants were youth whose parents are
Vital Support Way of the Battle Creek and stabilize our business and tax born from these discussions essential workers, and for
Themes of DRF giving for Kalamazoo Kalamazoo Region. To date base to further enhance the and leveraged $200,000 those experiencing housing
were access, neighborhood Businesses the Kalamazoo Small Business ability of the City to serve its in additional funding to instability or homelessness.
involvement, and “While federal websites were Loan Fund has disbursed residents and visitors.” grant nearly $500,000 to That’s why the City, with
$1.35 million in 1% loans to approximately 100 businesses, Foundation for Excellence
76 City businesses with fewer The speed with which 42% of which were minority- funding, is supporting
$2.63 million
than 50 full-time employees businesses needed to receive owned and 63% women- fourteen Learning Hubs
and less than $2.5 million in financial help also heightened owned. created with KPS and
annual revenue. Of eligible concerns about how partners the Kalamazoo Youth
to help with
businesses 82% were funded, were going to best serve Finding New Ways Development Network.
and 55% of approvals were women and minority-owned to Learn Approximately 400 K–12
women and/or minority- small businesses in terms All Kalamazoo Public School students most in need of
owned. of outreach, grants versus learners have the opportunity a quality physical learning
COVID-19 “The City really stepped up,”
loans, cultural competence,
networking, and more.
to be connected to free high-
speed Internet through a one-
environment are benefiting
from this additional support.
3
More than Earning Trust and
Proving Value
Directors that represent
diverse sectors such as Board of Directors
Aspirational The Foundation for Excellence healthcare, education, and
$120 Million
Dr. Angela Graham-Williams
(FFE) is an independent non- business. It also includes five President, Healthcare
Projects: profit organization created
in 2017 to help address
City Directors, including the
Mayor, City Manager, two City James K. Ritsema
Committed $44.8 million longstanding challenges to the
prosperity of Kalamazoo and
make it a dynamic, fulfilling
Commissioners and an At-
Large Director.
Vice President, City Manager
Adam McFarlin
Treasurer, Business
In just four years, the Foundation for Excellence and equitable community for There are annual opportunities
(FFE) has budgeted more than $120 million
Funding Our all. The FFE provides more for community members to
towards the success of Kalamazoo’s people
Community’s Vision than $25 million each year apply to serve on the Board.
Barbara Hamilton-Miller
Secretary, Neighborhood Focus,
Each year, Foundation for Excellence
and neighborhoods. This has allowed the to stabilize the City’s budget, The outreach and selection Oakland-Winchell
funding moves Kalamazoo closer to realizing
City to lower taxes while still significantly lower the property tax rate, process prioritizes diversity
our community vision. The results are David Anderson
increasing investments in our community. and invest in aspirational of abilities, perspectives, and
clear: graduates starting new careers, youth Mayor
These investments in youth programming, community programs. FFE across sectors. There are no
engaged during the summer and after school,
parks, infrastructure, career development, directly supports the work of requirements on previous
repaired sidewalks, new water services, more Sandra Calderon-Huezo
transportation, economic and business the City of Kalamazoo, which board membership nor Neighborhood Focus, Edison
affordable housing units, and much more.
support, and housing have a positive is often in collaboration with restrictions on who can apply,
impact in every neighborhood. FFE funding partners whose missions though an overall percentage Alisa Carrel
has also stabilized the City of Kalamazoo align with the Imagine of city residents is required. Arts Organizations
budget so the City can focus on our
Infrastructure $ 12.2 M Kalamazoo 2025 Strategic More information is available
community’s needs and vision. Vision. To ensure this work at www.kalamazoocity.org/FFE. Nathan Dannison
Economic Development $ 9.2 M continues sustainably forever,
At-Large
an endowment is being All board meetings are
Budget Stabilization Affordable Housing $ 7.7 M established with a goal of conducted under the Open
Jeanne Hess
City Commission
$16.2 million Youth Development $ 6.0 M raising $500 million. Meetings Act, welcome the
Stephanie Hoffman
general public, and feature an
Board of Directors opportunity for comment. Housing
Park Improvements $ 4.2 M The Board of Directors is
Rachel Lonberg
made up of ten Stakeholder
Good Governance $ 2.3 M Faith-Based Organizations
Shared Prosperity $ 2.1 M Strength through Diversity
Alice Taylor
Neighborhood Focus, Northside
Kalamazoo’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths.
Neighborhoods & Other $ 1.1 M The FFE values and celebrates diverse perspectives, Charlene Taylor
Tax Savings Affinity Organizations
experiences, and skills in the membership of its Board
$60.1 million of Directors.
You can explore investments supported by the Jack C. Urban
63% 43%
Foundation for Excellence through an interactive City Commission
dashboard at www.kalamazoocity.org/ffe.
Von Washington, Jr.
The dashboard is built from FFE budget data Education
since its creation in 2017 and property tax
analysis by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for
women people of color Bobby J. Hopewell
Employment Research. Founding Director Emeritus
5
Projects Map
Selected 2020 Projects Foreclosure prevention
assistance
The Foundation for Excellence invests in projects across the city
to realize the vision of Imagine Kalamazoo 2025. This year, the New single-family home
FFE was able to bolster our community’s response to the COVID-
19 pandemic in addition to furthering its goals in housing, youth Single-family home
rehabilitation
development, and other key needs in Kalamazoo.
Multi-family housing
preservation
Clouded title clearing
COVID-19 grant
or loan
Business development
grant or assistance
Youth development
program
Learning Hub
Repaired sidewalk
Water service replacement
focus area
Every Dollar Invested
The FFE is committed to transparency and
welcomes you to see how every dollar has been
invested. An interactive online dashboard shows
where and what FFE is investing in by year,
project, or neighborhood. Explore the map at
www.kalamazoocity.org/ffedashboard.
7
Neighborhood Plan Projects
Artist Alexander Ladd’s “Freedom Flow” at have been completed to date, developed with a committee
Davis Street Park is one of two new murals including Northside, Vine, of Northside residents. The
in the neighborhood this year. Public art is Oakwood, Eastside, Edison, RFP aligns with Northside
a priority of the Vine Neighborhood Plan. Parkview Hills, and Oakland- Neighborhood Plan goals,
Winchell. Neighborhood plans and additional community
take the themes and goals of feedback on desired or
Imagine Kalamazoo from the needed uses in the area. This
City level and figure out what project prioritizes resident
they mean on a smaller, more ownership, goods or services
local scale. that are affordable and meet
resident needs, and promotes
Since 2018, neighborhood the goals of the neighborhood
plans have been successful in plan.
identifying resident goals for
their community and taking The RFP committee and
Resources Meeting 2020 two more plans have by the City for projects. This action. Whether through Brownfield Projects and
a Vision been adopted and the City process and the relationships connections made during the Finance Committee will
2020 saw major progress is reporting 32% of actions that it fosters have resulted planning process or projects recommend a proposal to the
made toward Imagine completed, with a further 28% in hundreds of neighborhood- bringing new partners Brownfield Authority, which
Kalamazoo 2025 goals and in progress. Work is on track level actions in the first together, the momentum will select a winning proposal
objectives, even during the to fulfill goals by 2025. several years, including created by this collaborative in spring 2021.
unprecedented upheavals, murals, street and curb lawn effort continues today.
interruptions, and delays Neighborhood plans are improvements, traffic calming, Examples of projects include A new system of sensors and
caused by the COVID-19 important to the City’s work and innovative projects in a fresh food program on the signage will route downtown
pandemic. For example, at because they draw ideas areas such as improving Eastside, Edison involvement traffic around trains, avoiding
this time in 2019, five of 22 from grassroots, involve the food access in the Eastside in Farmers Market delays and backups.
neighborhoods had adopted neighborhood associations Neighborhood. improvements, Oakwood
plans and 27% of actions in organizing and work, and wayfinding signs, Vine murals,
had been completed. In create funding possibilities Community members are and citywide traffic calming.
encouraged to visit
www.imaginekalamazoo.com, 501 Launch
where projects are updated A request for proposals (RFP)
regularly, residents can get to redevelop a brownfield
involved, and stories are site at 501 N Westnedge Ave
documented. in Kalamazoo’s Northside
neighborhood was launched
Gathering with an on-site event on
Momentum Saturday, November 7.
Neighborhood plans help
leaders map the future. Seven Details of the RFP were
A pedestrian island was added to Oakland Speed humps were installed on five
Drive at Maple Street. This was identified streets in the Northside Neighborhood
as a “Safe Route to School” and part of and other traffic calming measures were
Winchell’s Neighborhood Plan. implemented in other neighborhoods.
9
Housing
Collective Action options with a local hotel for “The CoC’s job was to surroundings are, it would be
to Save Lives homeless families to shelter- coordinate it all,” said Sara “When seniors can stay just preferable to stay in your
“A Continuum of Care (CoC) in-place. Jacobs, CoC Coordinator, “but own home. It’s just hard to
represents the community without the community, it in their home, remain find the words to adequately
plan to end homelessness,” “The people at the hotel are wouldn’t have happened. They express, you know, what it
stated Housing Resources, some beautiful people,” said continue to step up today.” independent, it’s kind of a really means.”
Inc Executive Director Frank, a shelter resident
Michelle Davis. “They are during that time. “Everyone The CoC is facing another life saving situation.” Clearing
the local body that supports was very respectful and really huge task to safely care for Clouded Titles
partnership, accountability, concerned about [me] as a local homeless people in the In 2020, the City (with FFE
and trust.” This is never truer human being.” coming winter. Shelter and it’s daunting to say the least. Kalamazoo, funded by the funding) and the County
than in a pandemic. homeless service providers are Quite frankly, I really didn’t Foundation for Excellence and Treasurer’s Office, started
In total, 105 hotel rooms working in greater partnership know what I was going to do.” modeled on a pilot begun by a new and unique program
At the time that COVID-19 were used to shelter families than they ever have before the County Treasurer in 2018. to clarify ownership of
began affecting Kalamazoo, during the spring and summer to make sure everyone Over the years Mr. Schuur has homes and create wealth
hundreds of individuals relied months and not a single has a safe place to sleep. sought loans and help from To date, 109 people have in those families. In its first
on local shelters coordinated person tested positive for Kalamazoo County Health his mortgage lender and the remained in their homes year this program created
within the CoC. Shelters Coronavirus. and Community Services State of Michigan, but that has because of the program and approximately $500,000 of fair
quickly exceeded safe Department will continue to be not been enough to keep his not had to ask, as Mr. Schuur market value for eight families
population levels, and action The CoC also supported a key partner in this work. house on a low fixed income. did, “Where are you going to in core neighborhoods, more
was needed to save lives. opening a new temporary go?” than 90 times the investment
day shelter, provided Good Neighbors The City, County Treasurer’s of $5,400 FFE dollars. Partners
The CoC, with the FFE and restrooms and handwashing “I want you to know,” said Office, and Local Initiatives “When seniors can stay in have set an annual goal of ten
dozens of partners, provided stations throughout the city, Mr. Schuur from his home on Support Corporation their home,” Mr Schuur said, homes moving forward.
a safe shelter. Within days coordinated distribution of Conant Street in Kalamazoo’s (LISC) began an innovative “remain independent, it is
partners created a quarantine personal protective equipment, Northside Neighborhood, “that partnership in 2019 to kind of a life saving situation. With support from FFE,
and isolation shelter for those food and supportive services, I live in the house where I was eliminate tax foreclosures in No matter how humble your the Home Builders
either positive for Coronavirus and advocated for testing at born and raised. And when Association builds a new
or awaiting test results. local shelters and the hotel you’re in a house for 79 years single family home in the
Partners also expanded shelter site. and you’re facing foreclosure, Vine Neighborhood.
Everyone deserves a place to call home.
Without a safe and secure place to live it’s harder to find or keep a job, learn in school, maintain your health, or access services when
most in need. This is why housing is fundamental to FFE’s mission, and why millions of dollars are invested each year in building or
rehabilitating units of affordable housing. In only a few years, the FFE, along with its partner the Local Initiatives Support Corporation,
has been able to add hundreds of units of affordable housing in our community, and started new initiatives to keep people in their
homes and help to build wealth for homeowners. Since 2018:
140
single-family homes
508
multi-family units
0
homeowner tax
109
homeowners kept
$500K
of wealth created for
built or rehabilitated built or preserved foreclosures in their homes homeowners
11
Youth Development
“Most of the time I could teach staff conduct external think that I would even know
the new incoming CITs what observations during July and how to go about anything in
to do, you know, be a guide August at each of the sites high school.”
for them, be a teacher for and rate the programs using a
them.” recognized national standard. The Parks and Recreation
staff make the difference, she
Gina closed by saying that Be Prepared to Try said. “Because I’m pretty sure
working for the City says a “They’re very motivational,” they’ve been through it before
lot of positive things about Keyamara Burnett said about when they were kids like me.
a person. “You help out your the camp counselors for the You can ask them anything.”
city, and you’re a member of All Things Possible (ATP)
In addition to their leadership the community, which is a summer program sponsored ATP began with 30
roles in summer programming, good thing.” by FFE. “Yeah, they joke,” she participants in 2018 and
Counselors in Training (CITs) said, “but when it comes down expanded to 50 in 2019.
participate in team-building Super Rec at the serious stuff they give 2020 saw a reduction to 50%
exercises and field trips. Super Rec is the City’s only good advice and they’re very capacity due to COVID-19
You’re a Member of But just getting up and doing free, drop-in, summer-long motivational.” restrictions but will continue in
the Community something, it actually helps that I really, really like camp program, based in core 2021 and plans on returning
“What I would want people to you be more on time with working with kids.” neighborhoods. Super Rec ATP is a summer transition to full capacity as soon as
know is that it’s a very, very stuff.” provides day-to-day flexibility program working to reduce possible. For more information
good opportunity.” This past summer was Gina’s to meet the needs of working the so-called “summer slide” visit www.kzooparks.org.
Being a CIT helped Gina learn fourth and final year as a CIT. families. It provides nutritious and eliminate skill gaps for
Gina Bello was 13 when she more about her own dreams In that time, she says, she meals as well as diverse students entering 9th grade.
started the Counselor in in life. learned a lot about what it activities for participants. The Each day consists of work
Training (CIT) program means to be a leader. “I can program’s steady growth since skills, life skills, recreational
at the City’s Parks and “I wasn’t actually too sure tell you personally I helped its beginnings in 2017 shows activities, talent development,
Recreation Department and, about what I wanted to do a lot of people to become how much it is appreciated. and career and educational
like many of us at 13, it took for my career. When I started leaders, and figure out what it exposure.
some encouraging to keep her working with kids I realized is they actually want to do in Kalamazoo Youth
engaged throughout the the future.” Development (KYD) Network’s “I was interested in the
summer. CITs and summer campers quality assessment of City medical field,” Keyamara said,
take a break to pose for a summer youth programs is but ATP “did open my eyes to
It wasn’t long before she photo at Upjohn Park. now in its third year. Overall engineering. So I think that
was won over. “I have consistent improvement has really helped me in finding
grown more because of been shown each year, both who I want to be when I grow
camp. It helped me a lot as a in youth social emotional skills up.”
person to be more outgoing, (based on intake and exit
be more social, talk to assessments) as well as in Now in 10th grade, she
other people, take risks and program delivery. reflected back on her first year
chances, be more of myself, in ATP. Without it, she said,
be more my own person,” she All FFE-funded City Parks and as an eighth-grader, “I don’t
states. Recreation youth programs
partner with KYD Network Keyamara Burnett fishes with friends
“Sometimes you might have to and are assessed using the in the All Things Possible program
get up early in the morning. same tools. KYD Network offered by Kzoo Parks.
13
Business Development
Community Investment Manager myself,” she said, “for maybe efforts over several years. on organized sports and
Antonio Mitchell discusses a six years.” It was nearly a “working with our school to
Request for Proposals (RFP) on site full-time job in and of itself, Layla’s isn’t like any other find better ways to include
with a Northside resident. and all while trying to build business. “I knew that everybody” through Diversity
another small company, Kale- whatever I did I had to Club. After high school she
of business improvement amazoo Chips. help the homeless. This would like to study business
to 18 small businesses; business has to help someone at UCLA and attend a top
seven Gap Grants were “I really wanted to grow my other than me. I’ve never culinary school.
made of up to $25,000; 32 team and I wasn’t really even experienced homelessness,
Small Businesses Grants paying myself,” Frayer said. but I see that it’s something “I think a challenge that right
were made of up to $2,500. When a loan program offered serious. So what I can do is now I’m going through is time
Contractor Certifications in partnership with the Local try to help out the best I can.” management. With school,
and trainings will resume Initiatives Support Corporation plus the business, it’s a little
when possible and Loans came along, “it really helped Every week the business hard, because I still want to
Business program in particular is that of up to $35,000 remain me, because I was able to hire donates ten percent of profits keep good grades, and do
Development most of the businesses we available. people and train them so that to a local cause, like a shelter what I want to do with my
Is Relationship were helping were micro when we did have the extra or pantry. business, but I can do it. I am
Development businesses. So the $5,000 I Really Wanted business, they were ready to succeeding right now and can
“We care about your small grant was really important.” To Grow My Team go.” Now in tenth grade, Layla is continue to do it.”
business and show that From her position working in an ambitious student focused
through technical assistance “If you help a micro business a school lunchroom, Heather Layla’s Cool Pops
and financial support,” said that’s a single mom, if they Frayer saw a problem. On “It got started with a
Community Investment change their life with a micro one hand, “A lot of people will fourth grade economics
Manager Antonio Mitchell. “We business and they are doing say kids don’t get fruits and project,” said Layla Wallace,
want to be the helpful space six-figures in a two to three vegetables at home.” On the entrepreneur and owner,
for small businesses that are year period, then they have other hand, “I was noticing along with her family,
feeling lost.” stabilized their household.” kids throwing away fruits of Layla’s Cool Pops
and vegetables without even in Kalamazoo’s Edison
“The Community Planning Economic Development at the eating them,” she said. Neighborhood. “I sold Oreo
& Economic Development City has evolved significantly pops to my class, and after
Department’s objective,” since the adoption of the Fresh Food is Fun was created that I was like, ‘This is
Mitchell says, “is to reestablish IK2025 plan. 2020 presented from this sense of need amazing, I want to start a
business relationship-building many challenges due to COVID to, “promote wellness and business!’”
practices. We had gotten away but regularly planned activities increase positive associations
from that.” were able to advance. In with fresh food.” Wearing a Today Layla’s specializes
2020, $1 million was made superheroine mask made to in cupcakes, baked goods,
Mitchell said that the City available for Strategic Site look like fresh greens and and merchandise. The
has learned a lot through its Acquisitions for and by core carrots and bringing those City’s Community Planning
response to the COVID crisis, neighborhood associations. fresh veggies along with & Economic Development
done in partnership with the Further capital investments her, Frayer began visiting Department provided an FFE-
United Way of the Battle Creek included $128,000 in core classrooms and doing teacher funded loan and technical
and Kalamazoo Region. neighborhood Storefront training events, learning as assistance to support her
Improvement Grants. she went.
“One thing we learned from Technical Assistance was Layla poses with a supplier at her business
the Micro Enterprise Grant offered in numerous areas “I was doing this all by Layla’s Cool Pops in the Edison Neighborhood.
15
Employment and Career Development
The Power of
Connections in the
Workplace
$1.5 million earned
through youth employment and career exploration
MyCITY, resulting in more
than $1.5 million in wages.
In 2020, $173,000 in wages
“Schools aren’t going to and benefits were paid to 178
teach us the things that Kalamazoo youth and their “At one point, we were in a participants. Although focus
[MyCITY] can provide us. career pathway development. room with a patient,” he said. areas had to shift with the
It’ll prepare you for the real Each week, MyCITY “I mentioned that I had an virtual experience, participants
world.” Donovan Wilson was participants received virtual interest in neurology. And left the 2020 program better
a junior at Loy Norrix when activities that fell into five unbeknownst to me, [the equipped to navigate their
he participated in YOU’s 2020 categories: career exploration, nurse] had contact with a new normal and beyond.
MyCITY Kalamazoo Summer employability skills, office neurologist. And she helped
Youth Employment Program. hours, group projects and me get in contact with him to Career Training in
He says he joined MyCITY, a survey to ensure online talk to him about that career.” Our Neighborhoods
“to prepare myself to get an MyCITY was as close to the “I am very happy that I found
actual job, so I mainly use the traditional experience as Participants weren’t able this program,” explained
resources they gave us, like possible. to practice hands-on work Jazmine White-Johnson, a Graduates of the
how to behave in an interview experience in 2020, but each graduate of the Patient Care Patient Care Academy
or what should you wear, how For example, Felix Owinga week they learned and applied Academy. “An opportunity are certified to begin
to treat your coworkers.” participated in MyCITY in both career readiness skills, like like this comes and I’m like, becoming a CNA is just careers in healthcare as
2019 and 2020. In 2019, he the importance of developing ‘Ah! A career!’” the first step to a career in Nursing Assistants.
For a program centered took part in a work-based a professional identity, as healthcare. “My main goal is
around in-person, on-the- learning opportunity with Owinga experienced in 2019. The Patient Care Academy not just to be a CNA. I want to expungement clinic event to
job, paid work experience Bronson Hospital. Through was a partnership to improve be a licensed nurse.” date. At the clinics, people can
and interactions, COVID-19 his internship, Owinga was In the 2020 program, residents’ access to in-demand get legal aid to determine if
presented a challenge that encouraged to pursue his Wilson learned professional career training and provide “It’s helpful that it’s close, and the details of their conviction
was met with innovation, interest in neurology through communication skills like healthcare employers a more that it’s ten weeks,” said Alijah history make them eligible for
passion, and dedication to a connection he made at work. email, voicemail and, “the qualified and diverse talent Brown. “I won’t have to learn legally entitled expungement
simple stuff that people look pool. The partnership includes everything in two weeks.” of offenses. Those who are
for in the workplace.” He the City, with FFE resources eligible leave the clinic with
also learned how to work provided through Shared Six of the eight first year all the paperwork completed
effectively with groups, Prosperity Kalamazoo, graduates are already working and a fixed court date to
recounting, “when I first the Northside Association in the field. complete the process. “I
entered the program, I was a for Community Development found it so uplifting that this is
more to-myself kind of person. (NACD), the Kalamazoo A Second Chance happening,” said a young man
But after it, I can say I’m a Promise, Kalamazoo Valley “The Expungement Clinic waiting for the final step in the
lot more social because of the Community College, Urban is important to me because process on February 7. “I was
group work that we had to do Alliance, Bronson Methodist I just received my degree. really happy to see people that
together. That was a big part Hospital, Michigan Career Being that I am getting this I’ve known myself walk in here
of the [MyCITY] program.” and Technical Institute, and expunged off my record I can and get a second chance.”
Michigan Works! Southwest. find a career in my field.”
Since 2017, over 1,200 The event was hosted through
youth have participated in Graduates from the program This young woman was among a partnership with the City
become Certified Nursing the 150 who visited the of Kalamazoo and Kalamazoo
Felix Owinga poses in front of Bronson Hospital Assistants (CNA), but for NACD building on February 7, Defender, and funded by the
where he interned through the MyCITY program. graduates like Kelly Campos, 2020, for Kalamazoo’s largest FFE.
17
Infrastructure
Community To achieve these goals, thanks to major funding from
Development in My Kalamazoo’s Parks and the FFE and City, and grants
Hometown Recreation department is from the Irving S. Gilmore
Fresh fruit and vegetables finalizing the first significant and Consumers Energy
should not ever be a problem KFM improvements in Foundations, and the Michigan
for the citizens of Kalamazoo decades. They will provide Department of Natural Resources.
and surrounding areas to get,” 350 paved parking spaces, a
wrote Kalamazoo Farmers 40-percent increase in vendor More Than Just
Market (KFM) vendors Susan spaces, updated activity Walkways
and Douglas De Leo in a letter spaces, and a play area. The “Even as a kid,” said Raymond
to the City. Kalamazoo River Valley Ryan of Cobb Street on
The De Leos have been doing
Trail will also link to the site
for the first time.
Kalamazoo’s Northside, “I can
remember it always being
“I see that people are
their part to help for over fifty
years and today are among “The Edison Neighborhood
kind of jagged, you know, you
really couldn’t ride a bike that
willing to pay attention to “I see that people are willing
the 200 vendor businesses
at the Farmers Market, 91 of
Association has been working
closely with the City,“
smooth across it.”
the needs of the people in to pay attention to the
needs of the people in the
which are women- or minority-
owned and together employ
wrote Tammy Taylor, Edison
Neighborhood Executive
Now 49, Ryan has witnessed
a lack of investment in city
the community.” community. I look out my
window and see the work
nearly 1,000 people. Director. “We greatly sidewalks, and Cobb Street that’s done.”
appreciate their commitment, in particular. Raymond said tried to keep the broken Back on Cobb Street, Ryan
Research conducted by the dedication, and grassroots his 82 year-old father is sidewalk clear each winter said he had his doubts about And, what about Ryan’s father?
People’s Food Coop showed community involvement.” “still a work horse” and has for neighbors. “I’ve noticed the City’s responsiveness to “He’s damaged and tore up
that, in 2018, about 4,600 there’s three single moms sharing input about sidewalk plenty of snowblowers over
customers attend weekend L. Marshall, Ph. D., Farmers Market upgrades will that push strollers,” he said, conditions, but added, “I was the years,” Ryan says. This
market days on average. President of Kalamazoo bring more space for vendors and “and I watched this girl have really blown away, and that year, however, “He’s very
These customers contribute Valley Community activities, and a connection to the her baby on the shoulder and shows me that things are happy to see the new sidewalk
over $1.6 million to estimated College, notes the Food Kalamazoo River Valley Trail. walking her two kids, trying turning and, you know, going and he can’t wait to get over
sales. For every $100 spent, Innovation Center and to get them to school, and in the right direction.” there and keep that clear.”
$68 stays in the community. Healthy Living Campus having to try to make it down
Acceptance of SNAP benefits are just blocks away. He through that sidewalk when
helps ensure everyone is a champion and partner the road is just too bad to
regardless of income has of the KFM project. “The be on.”
access to the KFM’s offerings Kalamazoo Farmers Market In Only Four Years
with nearly $90,000 of redevelopment is a critical With FFE support, the City FFE continues its annual support to replace lead water
redeemed food assistance next step,” Marshall poured 7,731 linear feet of services in Kalamazoo, funding about 5% of replacements.
from 1,700 transactions. wrote, “toward realizing a new sidewalk concrete in Learn more about how the City of Kalamazoo protects our
shared vision of a vibrant, 2019, 4,097 in 2020, and community from lead at www.kalamazoocity.org/lead.
The community’s vision for connected, ‘Healthy Living has plans for 4,896 in 2021.
2,039 5%
the KFM is documented in the District’.” Priority areas are within one-
Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 plan quarter mile of community
and the Edison Neighborhood Construction will begin resources, those on Safe
Plan, which seeks ‘increased in 2021 in conjunction Routes to School, and those lead services replaced directly funded
access to nutritious food.’ with the Bank Street identified by residents through since 2017 by FFE
realignment project, interactive “walking surveys.”
19Foundation for Excellence
2020 Newsletter
“We’ve come through such a tumultuous year with protests and
COVID, losing loved ones, businesses struggling. 2020 has been
difficult personally, professionally, emotionally. Through it all,
the Foundation for Excellence has provided help and hope.
We’d like to remind our community that none of us is in this alone
and, as residents, we have each others’ backs.”
Dr. Angela Graham-Williams
President, Foundation for Excellence
Foundation for Excellence
241 W South Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49007You can also read
