EQUITY STARTS HERE Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) envisions our county as the most equitable place to live. By prioritizing equity and education, we support nonprofit programs
Kalamazoo Literacy Council (KLC) KLC is a volunteer-led, staff-supported organization
that respond to the most critical needs in our community.
that focuses on increasing the literacy rate for adults
Here are some programs that are prioritizing equity right
14 Community Literacy Centers and 30 service delivery
here in Kalamazoo County.
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes
in Kalamazoo County through the establishment of locations across the community that deploy 200-plus volunteer tutors. Why It Matters: Every adult needs to read, whether that
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes is working to increase food
is a job application, prescription label, reading to their
access and security by providing immediate, nutritional
child or learning English. When individuals are able
food to children and families in food pantry sites across
to increase their ability to read, they are better able to
the community while simultaneously pushing for systemic
support their children’s academic progress and reach
change that creates long-term solutions.
their own personal and self-determined goals.
Why It Matters: In Kalamazoo County, more than 37,000
Impact: KLC is supporting adults in gaining two academic
individuals – 15% of the county’s population – experience
grade levels every year of participation. The English as
food insecurity due to financial constraints. Students
a Second Language program helps participants gain a
and their families are better equipped to concentrate on
grade level in reading and/or English per quarter.
education, employment and overall well-being when they are not worried about their next meal. Impact: Students and families are able to access more balanced, nutritional meals and use their financial resources to support other basic needs.
Cradle Kalamazoo Cradle Kalamazoo is addressing root causes of infant mortality among black babies and moving toward a community-level goal of increasing early access to prenatal care.
Ecumenical Senior Center (ESC)
Why It Matters: Infant mortality is a widely used public
ESC provides day services including social opportunities,
health indicator of overall community well-being. By
education and awareness programming, meals, medical
improving access to first trimester prenatal care and
checks and transportation to predominantly African
engaging with health institutions to evaluate contributing
American seniors in the Northside neighborhood.
factors, birth outcomes and early childhood development
Why It Matters: By offering a daily space in a supportive,
can improve over the long-term.
social and culturally relevant environment, seniors are
Impact: A majority of women of color are now being seen
protected from isolation common among older adults.
in the first trimester at a rate between 74% and 84% at
Impact: Seniors are able to easily access essential programs, resources, activities and services that support a quality of life we all value.
large health institutions. To address systemic change, 450 health care practitioners will be trained in equitable health care practices to increase awareness of implicit bias, impact of racism on health and interventions that promote equitable health service delivery.
4 KALAMAZOO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WINTER 2019