Open Doors

Local housing organizations and churches work together through the Restoration Initiative to leverage resources and expertise to address the need for affordable housing in Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo, MI – After a year of planning how to collaboratively work to address the local need for more affordable housing units in Kalamazoo, the Restoration Initiative launched their first community “Paint Day” last weekend.

The Restoration Initiative is a group of local churches and non-profit organizations that have worked together to purchase a brand new house in the Kalamazoo Northside neighborhood, which will provide affordable housing to a local working family.

On Saturday March 15^th, Kalamazoo community members were invited to help paint the interior of the house and learn more about the need for affordable housing. A group ofvolunteers cleaned the walls, painted a base coat in many of the rooms, and discussed local housing issues.  The next community paint day is scheduled for Saturday, April 12 from 9am to 1pm.  A discussion on affordable housing will be held at 10:30am.  A spring cleanup workday is also being planned for May 17th from 9am to 1pm. Community members are encouraged to stop by and see the project even if they are unable to help.  Volunteer shifts are limited in size, so please contact Cherrie at Open Doors to register: (269) 343-6064 ext. 300.  All individuals, faith institutions, and community organizations are welcome to participate, regardless of their affiliation with the partner
organizations.

The home was built by the Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity which has decades of experience working with volunteers and families to build and rehabilitate housing.  The property will be owned and managed by Open Doors Kalamazoo, an organization that is working to address the great need for affordable rentals in our community by providing subsidized apartments and housings units to the formerly homeless.  Community Homeworks provides support for low-income homeowners by organizing home repair and maintenance trainings and will provide these trainings to the family moving in to the home.  Local church membership will provide the labor to finish and furnish the house.  
The steering committee includes church members from: First United Methodist Church, The River, St. Catherine of Siena, and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.  Michigan United, formerly the Michigan Organizing Project, has been organizing in Kalamazoo-area churches for years around the issue of housing justice and hopes to provide the people-power and fundraising capacity to rehabilitate and purchase the house. So far, $13,000 of the needed $20,000 has already been raised but we are still accepting donations to ensure the completion of this project. Those interested in donating should click the link below and direct their donation to the “Restoration Initiative”.

When Open Doors launched the Residence Community for Working People with a home for men on Ranney Street, an anonymous donor contacted Open Doors and offered to purchase a home for women.

In June 2004 Open Doors purchased a beautiful 4-bedroom home on South Westnedge Park through the generosity of this donor.That summer, local churches prepared and furnished the home for the use of four women who needed places to live. In recent years, the City of Kalamazoo provided funds through a Community Development Block Grant for exterior repairs and for painting the exterior of the building.

The residents have invited the Open Doors staff to a Christmas party at this home for the past several years. In summer, a beautiful shade garden offers a delightful oasis in front of the home. The home faces South Westnedge Park which used to be called Pioneer Park. This park is an example of the “oak openings” or “oak savannahs” that used to exist in many places in Kalamazoo County.

 

ABOUT OPEN DOORS KALAMAZOO

At Open Doors Kalamazoo we partner with low-wage working men and women to empower them to support themselves and their families and overcome or avoid homelessness. Through housing, partnerships, and advocacy, Open Doors Kalamazoo has been helping individuals and families overcome homelessness since 1970. We seek to provide solutions to the housing crisis faced by low-wage working families in our community. As families are strengthened, so is our community.  Learn more at www.opendoorskalamazoo.org

Open Doors Kalamazoo recently created a monthly giving club, Friends of Open Doors.  Here are a few reasons why you should consider participating.

1. You can make a huge impact on families without homes!
2. It helps us save money!  Online payments allow us to save paper, reduce mailings, and keep administrative costs low.  Lower costs means more of your donation goes directly to supporting families overcoming homelessness.
3. Exclusive benefits!  As a Friend of Open Doors, you will receive special updates, an invitation to a Friends of Open Doors luncheon, and a unique window cling to proudly display your support of Open Doors.
4. Ease and convenience! Your monthly gift will automatically be deducted each month from your credit card.  Receipts will be mailed each January detailing the amount you’ve given over the previous calendar year for tax purposes.
5. Increased stability!  The reliability and stability that comes with monthly donations will help Open Doors plan future work.

• • $30 a month will provide one day of bus tokens for all Open Doors shelter guests to take the bus to work or to look for employment
  • $45 a month will provide all the maintenance on one Open Doors residence home. These homes are kept freshly painted and in excellent repair.
  • $100 a month will provide a home and personal support for one family for a year.

Interested in signing up?  Simply click the donate button below and select the monthly donation option.

ABOUT OPEN DOORS KALAMAZOO

At Open Doors Kalamazoo we partner with low-wage working men and women to empower them to support themselves and their families and overcome or avoid homelessness. Through housing, partnerships, and advocacy, Open Doors Kalamazoo has been helping individuals and families overcome homelessness since 1970. We seek to provide solutions to the housing crisis faced by low-wage working families in our community. As families are strengthened, so is our community.  Learn more at www.opendoorskalamazoo.org