KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Shelter Kalamazoo, a non-profit corporation, is partnering with a sister charity, CALTRAN, to raise $500,000 to purchase and operate shelters for homeless Kalamazoo citizens.
The groups are hoping to build 100 tiny homes and operate 50 shelters to “restore honor and dignity to displaced individuals and families in metropolitan Kalamazoo”. Each shelter would be made of insulated aluminum and have two or three beds, a heater, air conditioning, and a little room for storage.
If they can raise the money, the project will be executed in two phases. In phase one, shelters will be set up downtown near the Ministries with Communities facility where the homeless can access basic necessities such as free showers, laundry facilities, a computer lab, and food. They will have outreach coordinators to provide assistance to aid in securing community resources to improve their quality of life and help get them on a path toward success. Phase two would be the construction of 100 tiny homes to accommodate displaced residents. As the homes are built, Shelter Kalamazoo staff will evaluate needs and assist people in transitioning to one of the homes. Donations, grants, and rent will be used to build and maintain the facilities.
President and Founder of Shelter Kalamazoo, Pastor William Stein, says the effort was amplified after the explosions of propane heaters at a Kalamazoo homeless encampment on January 24th. Even though there were no major injuries that day, Stein says it was a clear reminder that too many homeless people in Kalamazoo are living in conditions that are not only without dignity, such as sleeping on tarps or tents, but also unsafe, especially during the cold winter months.
You can make a donation for this effort on Shelter Kalamazoo’s GoFundMe page by CLICKING HERE
Or, you can donate via United States Mail by making your check or money order payable to:
Shelter Kalamazoo
P.O. Box 2632
Kalamazoo, Michigan 49003
Shelter Kalamazoo was founded in 2018 during the homeless encampment protest in Bronson Park. Seeing little progress to resolve this crisis and COVID-19 having a detrimental impact on the economy, a board of directors was formed. On January 6, 2021, the state of Michigan incorporated their nonprofit enterprise. Our application for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS is pending.
You can learn more about the Shelter Kalamazoo on Facebook by CLICKING HERE
Comments