Annual Newsletter | 2020 Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence

$120+ Million Helping us through In 2021, the FFE will surpass $120 million committed to achieving COVID-19 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). Supporting Kalamazoo through COVID-19

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic abruptly changed life across the globe. The Foundation for

COVID-19 Response Response COVID-19 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 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 $2.63 million annual revenue. Of eligible concerns about how partners the Kalamazoo Youth 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 to help with 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 loans, cultural competence, to be connected to free high- environment are benefiting “The City really stepped up,” networking, and more. speed Internet through a one- from this additional support. COVID-19 3

Earning Trust and Directors that represent Board of Directors More than Proving Value diverse sectors such as The Foundation for Excellence healthcare, education, and Aspirational Dr. Angela Graham-Williams (FFE) is an independent non- business. It also includes five President, Healthcare $120 Million profit organization created City Directors, including the Projects: in 2017 to help address Mayor, City Manager, two City James K. Ritsema $44.8 million longstanding challenges to the Commissioners and an At- Vice President, City Manager Committed prosperity of Kalamazoo and Large Director. make it a dynamic, fulfilling Adam McFarlin Treasurer, Business In just four years, the Foundation for Excellence Funding Our and equitable community for There are annual opportunities (FFE) has budgeted more than $120 million Community’s Vision all. The FFE provides more for community members to Barbara Hamilton-Miller towards the success of Kalamazoo’s people than $25 million each year apply to serve on the Board. 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 increasing investments in our community. and invest in aspirational of abilities, perspectives, and David Anderson clear: graduates starting new careers, youth These investments in youth programming, community programs. FFE across sectors. There are no Mayor 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 affordable housing units, and much more. Neighborhood Focus, Edison 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 At-Large Economic Development $ 9.2 M continues sustainably forever, an endowment is being All board meetings are Affordable Housing $ 7.7 M Jeanne Hess Budget Stabilization established with a goal of conducted under the Open City Commission $16.2 million raising $500 million. Meetings Act, welcome the Youth Development $ 6.0 M general public, and feature an Stephanie Hoffman 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 Alice Taylor Strength through Diversity Neighborhood Focus, Northside Kalamazoo’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths. Neighborhoods & Other $ 1.1 M Tax Savings The FFE values and celebrates diverse perspectives, Charlene Taylor experiences, and skills in the membership of its Board Affinity Organizations

$60.1 million of Directors. You can explore investments supported by the Jack C. Urban

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 63% 43% women people of color analysis by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Bobby J. Hopewell Employment Research. Founding Director Emeritus 5 Foreclosure prevention Selected 2020 Projects assistance Projects Map 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 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 Neighborhood Plan Projects 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

Collective Action options with a local hotel for “The CoC’s job was to surroundings are, it would be Housing 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: 140 508 0 109 $500K single-family homes multi-family units homeowner tax homeowners kept of wealth created for built or rehabilitated built or preserved foreclosures in their homes homeowners

11 “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

Youth Development Youth 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 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

Business Development 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 The Power of MyCITY, resulting in more Connections in the $1.5 million earned than $1.5 million in wages. Workplace through youth employment and career exploration 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 Employment and Career Development 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 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 Infrastructure 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 Trail will also link to the site Kalamazoo’s Northside, “I can The De Leos have been doing for the first time. remember it always being “I see that people are their part to help for over fifty kind of jagged, you know, you years and today are among “The Edison Neighborhood really couldn’t ride a bike that willing to pay attention to “I see that people are willing the 200 vendor businesses Association has been working smooth across it.” to pay attention to the at the Farmers Market, 91 of closely with the City,“ the needs of the people in needs of the people in the which are women- or minority- wrote Tammy Taylor, Edison Now 49, Ryan has witnessed community. I look out my owned and together employ Neighborhood Executive a lack of investment in city the community.” 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. 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 2,039 5% 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.” 19 Foundation 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 49007