KALAMAZOO (WKZO)–The last time the Kalamazoo Community Foundation did a survey to find out what people in the community were thinking…their number one concern was employment.
That was three years ago. Since then the recovery has taken hold and the number one social issue cited by respondents is poverty, 2nd is homelessness, and third is employment.
While race relations may be top-of-mind nationally right now, it comes in fourth in this survey.
A comparison shows that poverty and homelessness had about the same percentage of the population concerned about them as in the last survey, but that employment has dropped significantly from the concern it generated three years ago.
There has also been a significant change in the results when asked what people like about living in Kalamazoo County. More people feel there is greater opportunity here than before.
In the last survey, ‘Schools’ were number one and ‘convenience’ was second, their percentages remained practically identical this time.
The notion that the area has a lot to offer jumped from just 10% three years ago, to a tie with schools at 21.8% this year.
Spokeman Tom Vance says they use the survey to help shape their giving and their efforts to help make Kalamazoo a better place, and to address those issues that the public feels need addressing.
What this survey tells them, just like the last survey is that equity is a big concern, and if you can address the underlying issues that help people reach their potential, to acheive what they want to acheive, and give them the tools to do it, than everyone is better off.
