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Meet the New Staff: Andrea Enyedi, Development Director

12.09.13

Please join us in welcoming Andrea Enyedi to the Open Doors staff. Along with a passion for community service, Andrea brings 25 years of non-profit leadership experience with an emphasis in literacy. Most recently, Andrea led Kalamazoo Public Library’s early childhood literacy program, Ready to Read, and served on the Board of Directors of Kalamazoo Literacy Council. She is excited about contributing to Open Doors’ work of helping people overcome homelessness. Having a stable, affordable home is essential for people to focus on improving their lives and their children’s lives. That includes adults learning to read, helping children with homework and so much more. It’s the foundation for all success in life!

Visit our website to learn more about ways to give: www.opendoorskalamazoo.org

Thank You to Our Volunteers from Stryker

12.06.13

On Thursday, November 7, 2013, Open Doors Kalamazoo was honored to host a large group of volunteers from Stryker. The group of 23 employees from Stryker participated in the United Way Day of Caring program by volunteering for Open Doors Kalamazoo. The group painted hallways and cleaned apartments at Cooper, and raked leaves at the Women’s shelter and other properties. We appreciate their time and hard work involved which reflects their strong spirit of caring and partnership in our community.

Stryker Volunteers Open Doors

Interested in learning how your group could volunteer with Open Doors Kalamazoo? Visit our website here to learn more: https://www.opendoorskalamazoo.org/group.html

Open Doors End of Year Appeal

11.21.13

Anthony and his son, Turner, moved into an apartment at Open Doors in August. Turner is a bright, articulate student and Anthony works full-time through a temp agency.

Life for this family has been challenging. Anthony struggled to find stable employment while raising his son in an emergency shelter for more than a year. Eventually they “doubled up” to live with someone they met at the shelter but it didn’t work out, so they were homeless again.

Open Doors was able to provide an affordable, stable home they could call their own. Anthony and Turner are

grateful and relieved. “It’s awesome,” says Turner about their one-bedroom apartment. His dad adds, “This is a real blessing. We don’t have to back to the street.”

Turner finally feels safe and secure after years of living with instability and anxiety. He 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.

Open Doors provides affordable homes and supportive community for adults and children with nowhere to live. This makes a tremendous difference in their lives. Anthony puts it this way: “You saved us. You put a roof over our heads.”

We are asking you to consider investing in a family like Anthony and Turner. A gift of $1,000 will provide a family with stable housing and personal support for a year. A gift of $400 will provide housing and support for almost five months. Your investment will 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