Open Doors

We want to wish you a happy holiday season and express our sincere thanks for the support you have given Open Doors Kalamazoo in 2013. Whether you’re a donor, volunteer, service provider, staff, or another important member of our team, we thank you.

If you are looking for ways to assist Open Doors Kalamazoo with our mission, please consider a year-end donation. We are preparing for exciting changes in 2014, including the renovation of a new 15 unit property on Duke Street. Stay tuned for more information on big things to come.

In 2012, you affirmed your belief in the value of stable, affordable housing for all families by making a donation to Open Doors. Your contribution helped us provide a home for families like Anthony and his son, Turner, who moved into an Open Doors apartment in August.

Anthony struggled to find stable employment while raising his son in a shelter for more than a year.  They are grateful and relieved to finally have a home they can call their own. “It’s awesome,” says Turner about their one-bedroom Open Doors apartment. His dad adds, “This is a real blessing. We don’t have to go back to the street.”

Turner finally feels safe and secure after years of living with instability and anxiety. The child now has a quiet, private place to concentrate on school work. His dad feels a new sense of dignity and plans to beautify their new home with window box flowers in the spring.

In 2014, Open Doors will provide fifteen additional families with affordable homes. Thanks to grant from the Van Domelen Foundation we just purchased a 15-unit apartment building. We need your help to cover related expenses. It takes a village of donors, volunteers and supporters for us to operate a new building for our residents.

We are asking you to consider investing in a family like Anthony and Turner. A gift of $500 will provide a family with stable housing and personal support for six months.  A gift of $100 will cover the cost of training three residents to develop home budgets.  Your investment of any amount will help make it possible for a local family to have a home and build a healthy, productive life.

What a tremendous gift that is.

Sincerely,

Rick Stravers
Executive Director

 

James Dodge is a new member of our maintenance team. He joins Andy and Larry in working to keep our buildings functioning well.  He will also work
weekends at the Open Door for men.

James is a previous resident of the Open Door for men and he currently lives
in the Open Doors Residence Community. James has done good work as a
volunteer for Open Doors in the past.  We are excited to welcome him to our
staff.

James will now be on call for the emergency repair line one week out of
every four.  To request a repair, call 269-366-4161 to put in a work order.