February Special Collection
We collected $1,496 for the UUA as part of our February 16th Special Collection. Thanks to everyone who contributed.
Special Collection for March
Our March 8th Special Collection will benefit Keystone Vets Transitional Housing, a program of Kalamazoo County Public Housing Commission (KCPHC). ISAAC Housing Task Force has partnered with KCPHC since 2003.
In 2018 the Kalamazoo County Public Housing Commission (KCPHC) began communicating with several veteran’s service groups and the service groups all indicated that transitional housing for homeless vets was needed in our community. As a result of these talks, Keystone Vets Transitional Housing Project was launched. KCPHC signed a five-year lease and invested $75,000 to rehab and create a six-bed shelter with a ramp and one ADA bedroom with bath and kitchen. The other five bedrooms are for ambulatory vets. The work on the home has been completed and KCPHC is now working on furnishing the house. One of the major needs is to purchase beds. Our Second Sunday Special Collection will help provide funds to purchase beds and other needed items for the house. The house is located at 422 Stockbridge Avenue.
ISAAC Update
With help from our special collection and many additional donors from our congregation, ISAAC has reached and surpassed the minimum required ($50,000) to establish its endowment with the Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF). Receiving interest each year will provide a small but sustainable portion of ISAAC’s budget. In addition, Dr. Charlae announced that ISAAC has received two grants to support the issue work of the task forces; one from the Stryker Johnson foundation and the other from KZCF). Rev. Rachel recently met with each Task Force to obtain input in her role as representative from the faith community on the Foundation for Excellence Board. Galilee Church has rejoined ISAAC, bringing our membership of congregations and organizations to more than 30! The work of the Task Forces—Preventing Gun Violence, Housing, and Anti-Racism—is still in formation. If you would like to join one, see the ISAAC website or Facebook page for the monthly meeting date, time and place for each one. You will find a People’s person at the table with you!
Refugee Resettlement
The Kalamazoo Refugee Resource Coalition (KRRC) has received a grant from Kalamazoo Community Foundation for summer school funding. People’s Church support, by providing funding through our Second Sunday Special Collection and housing the pilot program in the summer of 2019 helped make this grant possible.
Open Doors
Our church has been forming a partnership with Open Doors, and as part of that partnership we have supported them by having tables at their annual fundraising event. This year the annual Discover Open Doors Luncheon at the Radisson Plaza will be held Wednesday, April 22nd 12:00 – 1:00. At this event attendees will hear from people whose lives have been significantly impacted by Open Doors. They will share the mission of Open Doors and celebrate the many successes that that we all so grateful for. There is no cost to attend, however we hope after hearing about the impact Open Doors makes on the people in our community, you will feel inspired to make a contribution to support this vital work. Reverend Rachel and Rochelle Habeck Hunt will each host a table for the event. Sign-up sheets will be on the table in the foyer.
Anyone is welcome to sit in on Social Justice Coordinating Committee meetings. The SJCC meets the first Monday of each month at 10:30 a.m. in Room L1. (Please note the new meeting time.)
