Kalamazoo Experiential Learning Center

Kalamazoo Experiential Learning Center (KELC) connects college students to our community. Our ability to produce events is based on four key principles: educate, collaborate, innovate and reward. When there is a challenge, we thrive. It’s boots on the streets and laughter without fear of the future. This is experiential learning.

In 2023, our team created a three-event series specifically designed to reimagine the Arcadia Creek Festival Place (ACFP). The five-hour popup series, called Festival Fridays, resembled a festival with live bands, merchandise vendors, food trucks and beverages. The education that it provided helped other festivals imagine their festival at ACFP. It’s challenging to host a festival, but by being at the events, they witnessed proper setup and design, tricks-of-the-trades and how to connect event plans to implementation. They could feel the vision of their festival.

However, it didn’t stop there. Our college students showed how to innovate decorations, games and activities, and support vendor engagement that created a well-connected pop-up festival. The reward was that through this opportunity to intentionally give a “hand” to other event coordinators, we could create believability. Events are empowered through believing that you can create and execute your vision.

At KELC, we are inspired to re-imagine. Event opportunities are brought to Western Michigan University classrooms for event management students to explore the challenge, research trends and KPI’s, and then imagine the possibilities of the event concept. It’s more than just “Town & Gown.” Event imagination requires knowledge, collaboration, innovation and rewards that drive individuals to take on the challenge.

For more information, visit: www.experientiallearningcenter.org

Community Development  Posted by 05 Jun 2024

COPE Network

In 2014, two years after losing her daughter to a heroin overdose, Nancy King began a support group aimed at providing guidance for families struggling to understand and help loved ones experiencing substance use and addiction. These meetings quickly grew to include people who were struggling with substance use themselves, people who were in recovery, caretakers and friends. Due to the success of these meetings, COPE Network was founded in 2016.

Since then, COPE has continued providing support for individuals and families navigating substance use and recovery-related hardships. Using a harm-reduction framework opposed to an abstinence-based framework, COPE acknowledges substance use as a choice people make for themselves for a variety of reasons, without passing judgment or perpetuating stigma. With this framework, COPE does not require people to achieve abstinence or begin recovery in order to access valuable resources and support.

Whether it’s going to rehab, using substances more safely or repairing strained relationships with loved ones, COPE helps participants work toward positive behavior changes and improved health outcomes wherever possible. Through core programming, COPE has provided overdose prevention training and free naloxone kits to thousands of residents in Kalamazoo and Southwest Michigan.

COPE also provides a safe, non-judgmental space for the substance-using and recovery communities of Kalamazoo to access free classes related to art, music and movement; alternative recovery meetings; peer support; recovery coaching; free harm reduction supplies; referrals to mental health care, medical care and housing resources; and more.

For more information, visit: www.copenetwork.org

Health and Well-Being  Posted by 05 Jun 2024

Integrated Services of Kalamazoo

Integrated Services of Kalamazoo (ISK) is the public community mental health services program authority for Kalamazoo County and a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic.  In July 2023, ISK opened its new Behavioral Health Urgent Care and Access Center located at 440 W. Kalamazoo Avenue in the City of Kalamazoo.

This 24-hour center is Kalamazoo County’s first behavioral health urgent care and access center, one of very few across the state of Michigan. We have already served over2,300 people.  The center is open to all ages and incomes, with or without insurance coverage, and to anyone struggling with an urgent behavioral health problem. Anyone in crisis may walk in or call 269-373-6000 for same-day, easy access to mental health professionals.

The 7,900-square-foot center houses nine treatment rooms, offices, waiting rooms, a conference room, reception area, lobby, and security office. A police and ambulance entrance allows the center to serve as an alternative to a hospital emergency department for people experiencing behavioral health crises.

As our CEO Jeff Patton explains, our location is intentional. It is near areas with a high concentration of individuals receiving behavioral health services, including those experiencing homelessness. It is also easily walkable from nearby shelters and the city’s downtown area.

For more information, visit: www.iskzoo.org

Health and Well-Being  Posted by 05 Jun 2024

Center Stage Theatre

Center Stage Theatre began in 1974 as Comstock Community Theatre. Since then, the mission has always been to create a safe environment where families and individuals of all lifestyles can enjoy the world of theater together. Center Stage Theatre is unique because we do not make cuts during the audition process. No matter what the level of experience or differing ability, everyone who auditions and commits to the rehearsal schedule is given a place on our stage. This inclusiveness does not diminish but adds to the quality of our productions. Extending the inclusiveness to our audiences, Center Stage Theatre produces both a sensory friendly and an ASL interpreted performance of each show.

Our season begins with a fall youth show for 6–18-year-olds. We celebrate the holidays with an all-age cabaret. An adult show for those 16 and older is staged in February. Our largest show is our summer family musical in July. The multi-generational cast for this show often tops 125 members.

After being given the opportunity to shine on our local stage, Center Stage Theatre
graduates have gone on to shine on and off Broadway, star in traveling shows, light up
the field of technical theatre, produce, direct, and manage other community theatres.
Center Stage Theatre is thankful for the volunteers, on and off the stage, who give their
time, effort, and passion to the production of each show. Without them, we would not
have been putting the “community” in community theatre for almost 50 years.

For more information, visit www.kzoocst.com.

Arts, Culture & Humanities  Posted by 18 Jul 2023

Gull Lake Community Schools

Gull Lake Community Schools is delighted to be in a new space dedicated to K-12 fine arts programs and guest artist performances that enrich the lives of the school community. The Gull Lake Center for the fine arts (GLCFA) showcases a variety of events that bring the community together in an intimate environment that engages the senses and encourages participants to communicate with purpose. This new space was designed to elevate the art of presentation in multiple modes and formats. It can host any event ranging from an elementary matinee to a world- class symphony or musical.
Fifteen full-time Fine Arts educators collaborate with a full time auditorium manager to bring student performances to the stage. Community members and guests can find events and procure tickets through the district website and GLCFA box office. Guest artists and ensembles are marketed to the local community and regional arts organizations and foundations. The new space is attracting attention from a variety of professional groups who find it to be an ideal venue featuring state-of-the-art technology and exceptional acoustics that enhance any performance.
The new Gull Lake Center for the Fine Arts is the realization of a dream that began growing over three decades ago. It has been a true collaboration involving a talented and diverse coalition of individuals who were able to articulate the vision and sustain focus to see this project through to completion. It is a rare occasion when a teaching and learning space can serve everyone in a community. The Gull Lake Center for the Fine Arts accomplishes this purpose beautifully and is serves as a beacon to the future of fine arts in the Richland area and surrounding community.

For more information, visit www.gulllakecs.org/glcfa

Arts, Culture & Humanities  Posted by 18 Jul 2023

The Kalamazoo Community Chorale

The Kalamazoo Community Chorale completed its 89th season in 2022 under the direction of Jacqueline Stilger. We are a women’s choir that welcomes members seeking an opportunity to be involved in choral music without the requirement of an audition or an extensive musical background. Our central focus is to provide area women the chance to participate in the fellowship of song for educational and non-professional purposes. Our membership averages between 50-65 women of different ages from very diverse backgrounds. We perform secular and sacred pieces at two admission-free concerts annually that are open to the public. We also perform at community events, public organizations and private facilities. The group often features local musicians to provide additional accompaniment at our concerts. Another important facet of the Chorale’s activities is that we provide scholarships to qualifying college students with a major or minor in music. In addition to assisting them with their school expenses, the students gain the experience of rehearsing and performing outside of the academic world, but still within the local area. In return, they greatly contribute to our ensemble with their energy, talent and enthusiasm for choral singing. The benefits of sharing the joy of music are many and we look forward to continuing to share it with our membership and the community.

For more information, visit www.kalamazoocommunitychorale.com

Arts, Culture & Humanities  Posted by 18 Jul 2023

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan

For more than 100 years nationally and 65 years locally, Big Brothers Big Sisters has created and supported one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between volunteer mentors (Bigs) and children (Littles).

When kids are paired with a mentor, they’re introduced to places and experiences that open their hearts and minds to a future filled with boundless possibilities. After just one year of being paired with their Big:
• 85% of Littles report improved academic performance
• 87% of Littles report improved emotional regulation
• 94% of Littles report avoiding situations that could limit their future success
On top of all of this, Littles report having stronger relationships with their parent/guardians and peers, decreased depressive symptoms, and improved outlook for their education post-high school. “When I first met [my Big Brother], he got me out of my comfort zone,” shares Damarieon, Little Brother. “He’s like my best friend, actually.”

When people consider the impact of mentoring, they often think about the impact it has on the youth—not the adult. At Big Brothers Big Sisters, the mentoring relationship impacts every participant—adults included! “We get as much, if not more out of it, than we give. It gets us out exploring things that appeal to younger people,” shares Paul, Big Brother.

For more information, visit www.ThinkBigToday.org

Human Services  Posted by 18 Jul 2023

Ecumenical Senior Center

The Ecumenical Senior Center has provided services to the senior citizens of Kalamazoo County for nearly 40 years. We were founded on the principle of removing barriers for African American seniors who would otherwise have difficulty obtaining services, as well as having a central place to gather. Nearly 95% of the seniors we serve today are African American, and a majority live at or below poverty level. Many reside in subsidized housing or are housed at Kalamazoo Gospel Ministries. ESC strives to enhance the quality of life of our clients in many aspects, particularly by providing services, activities, and resources that allow them to age with dignity.

We are proud to offer a wide array of support to our clients. All our programming and services are free or minimal cost. This includes breakfast and donation-based lunch programs, transportation to area grocery stores, pharmacies, doctor appointments, and other services, incontinence supplies and other medical equipment, as well as free weekly cosmetology services.

As our clientele has grown over the years, utilizing the 4,000 square foot programming space (largely out of one single room) has become increasingly difficult. We officially kicked off a 4.2 million dollar capital campaign last July in an effort to better serve seniors in the community. This will include a complete remodel of our historic building and a two-story addition that will feature a dedicated health and wellness area, a larger kitchen, and additional programming space and offices. Support from the community has been tremendous, and we look forward to the project’s fruition.

For more information, visit www.ecumenicalsc.com

Human Services  Posted by 18 Jul 2023

Can-Do Kalamazoo

Can-Do Kalamazoo (formerly Can-Do Kitchen) began in 2008 with an entrepreneurial spark – building a missing piece of the local food system so that food producers could meet the growing customer demand for local products. In the years since, we have launched, pivoted, and sustained many valuable programs for food business owners. However, due to the nonlinear journeys of entrepreneurs, we became more engaged with other business support partners in our ecosystem. This led to our expanded scope to become a highly collaborative, one-stop incubator and enterprise hub, positioned to guide entrepreneurs through idea, launch, and growth. In coordination with many partners, we will support entrepreneurs along their business development journeys, with a focus on marginalized and under-resourced entrepreneurs.

Can-Do Kalamazoo has recently secured a larger and more centralized location (519 S. Park St.) for our incubation and hub activities. When fully renovated, our new site will offer many new amenities allowing us to host entrepreneurial networking events, startup and accelerator programs, open office hours with business coaches, pop-up events, and more. In 2020, our Opening New Doors Capital Campaign was launched, and despite the disturbances of COVID-19, the $650,000 goal was reached in 2022. Phase 1 of construction is underway! The need to move is urgent, so when the kitchens and a few offices are complete, we will move out of our current Lake Street facility.

In order to fulfill the needs of our expanded scope, we are embarking on phase 2 of our capital goal of $1.4 million. Phase 2 will include conference rooms, coworking spaces, multipurpose event space, classroom, and CDK staff offices. With the successful completion of our phase 2 capital goal, Can-Do Kalamazoo can fully be the “hub” that is so needed by our community’s entrepreneurs. We are optimistic that this can be accomplished by the close of 2023!

For more information, visit www.candokalamazoo.org

Human Services  Posted by 18 Jul 2023

SLD Read

Literacy is vital to building strong communities. From social determinants of health to equitable school funding; from vocational readiness to disability access, literacy affects every aspect of a person’s individual life outcomes—including familial and generational outcomes. Yet, each year, over one million 4th graders are added to the list of people who are unable to read in America.

SLD Read’s vision is a community working together for literacy that empowers all individuals to achieve their full potential. For nearly 50 years, we have been supporting people with learning disabilities, including dyslexia, on their journey to improved literacy. Our 1:1 personalized tutoring services are rooted in the science of reading, focused on explicitly teaching how sounds and letters go together to create words. Our lessons are multisensory, structured, explicit, cumulative, and sequential (working from the simplest elements of our language to the most complex). Programming is offered in both the school and community setting.

SLD Read is also dedicated to creating systemic change within the educational system by supporting educators in learning skills and techniques to enhance their reading curriculum and support students with word-related learning disabilities in their classrooms. We also work to raise awareness and reduce stigma around learning disabilities by providing community workshops that promote literacy and increase understanding.

For more information, visit www.sldread.org

Education  Posted by 18 Jul 2023