Stacy Vest

We have experienced so much sadness in the past two weeks. First there was the bicycling tragedy in Kalamazoo. Tony Nelson, an Open Doors volunteer and supporter, a fine and dedicated person, was one of those killed.

Then came the murders in Orlando, when a man with an assault weapon killed 49 people at a gay club.

The mission of Open Doors Kalamazoo is to embrace all who need housing and personal support for reclaiming their lives from crisis. This includes members of the LGBT community, the Hispanic community, and the Muslim community. It includes people returning to Kalamazoo following a period of incarceration. It includes people who are reclaiming their lives from drugs and alcohol. It includes parents who have lost their children, and children who have lost their parents. It includes veterans who have been traumatized by war and spouses who have been traumatized in a personal relationship.

Hate does not offer us a way through this grief. We must recommit to loving each other, caring for each other, building the beloved community. That’s the way through the grief.

 

Children are enriching our life at Open Doors.  From 1970 to 2011 we served single adults only.  In our affordable rental community we had rooms to rent, and studio and 1-bedroom apartments, but nothing larger. All that has changed!

We got so many calls from families desperate for housing that we decided to expand our mission in 2011 to serve families as well as single adults.  We received critical help in this expansion from the Van Domelen Foundation, led by Bill and Julia Van Domelen. The Van Domelens had a special interest in serving low-income children. They helped us begin serving families with children. We now have 26 two- and three-bedroom units for families.

Each summer we offer special support to the children in our Residence Community.  We offer arts and activities for children and parents on one Saturday morning each month, ending with lunch.  The two boys pictured above are enjoying the face painting activity on one of our past arts and activities days. Every week we offer lunch and a video for the children of Open Doors.

Children need a home to grow up in. They need a home where they can do their homework, read stories, and keep their clothes and toys organized in one place. Seeing the joy and relief on the faces of a family in housing crisis when they get a home they can afford is life-changing. There’s nothing quite like it.