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Our Report to the Community for 2006 In our shelter programs at the Open Door & Next Door 81 homeless young adults lived with us and participated in our program Average stay - 54 days -- 1 out of 5 guests stayed with us for more than 3 months. Average age - 26 years. History of homelessness - 1 out of 3 guests in 2006 had never been homeless before, half had been homeless once or twice before, and 14% had been homeless 3 times or more. Education - One quarter of our guests in 2006 had not completed High School, half earned a High School diploma or the GED, one fifth of our guests in 2006 had attended some college. Addiction and Recovery - One-third of our guests made recovery plans and participated in AA or NA as part of their program Employment - 24% of our guests were employed when they entered our program; 69% were employed when they left our program.
#1: SECURED HOUSING, with PERSONAL SUPPORT, at an AFFORDABLE COST In the RESIDENCE PROGRAM FOR WORKING PEOPLE - 23 workers who were homeless or at risk of homeless had good housing at a fee affordable to people working at minimu wage fullltime. Through the TENANT-LANDORD-CHURCH PARTNERSHIP - 6 homeless workers got apartments through this partnership with local Reformed Church congregations and Concord Place Apartments. Four of the 6 were from the Open Door and Next Door, one was from the Domestic Assault Program shelter, and one was living in a motel room paif for by; his church.
Adding Two Apartment Buildings to the Residence Program for Working People We purchased 419 S. Park St., a 4-unit building, in the fall of 2004. In 2005 we replaced the roof, chimney, and plumbing fixtures and toilets; we painted the exterior, resurfaced all the bathtubs, and upgraded the electrical system. In April, volunteers and staff spent many nights and weekends cleaning, painting, repairing, and furnishing the apartments. We opened the building to participants on May 1 and we were full the first day we were open. In December 2005 we purchased a 5-unit building at 530 W. North Street after an extensive search. The building was home to five households of very low-wage workers when we purchased it. We have invited them join our Residence Program and remain in the building. As units are vacated by the current residents we will seek volunteers for cleaning, painting, and furnishing. Helping to Launch the Tenant-Landlord-Church Partnership We helped a group of local Reformed Churches develop a program that makes it possible for extremely low-wage workers to secure apartments at Concord Place Apartments, a for-profit rental housing community. Four churches have made 5 rental units available through this program. The churches have also helped the participating tenants with furnishings and personal support. We Provided Other Services We received a donation of a mobile home, identified a low-income family in need of a home, and helped the family take over ownership of the home. The family gained a home for the cost of lot rental! We also received a car donation and passed it on to a Residence Program participant. We arranged for and supervised several individuals performing court-mandated community service. We Worked to Keep the Needs of Homeless & Very Poor People Before the Community Board Presidents' Luncheon: We invited churches to gather for a meal and for a report on the people we serve and the opportunities for partnership with us. Legislative Breakfast on Homeless in Kalamazoo County: With the Disability Resource Center we led this effort to educate elected officials about the extreme lack of housing in our community for low-wage workers and disabled people. Daily Public Prayers during Homeless Awareness Week: We organized services of public prayer every evening in Homeless Awareness Week to pray for the changes necessary for homeless people in Kalamazoo to have decent places to live. The services were led by homeless and formerly homeless people. We offered prayres in 4 different locations that are significant to homeless people. Local churches brought simple suppers to share after each time of prayer. Attendance ranged from 25 to 75 people. Analyzed Local Bus Fare Increase Proposals and their Effect on Low-income People - and shared this information with the Kalamazoo City Commission and the community. Worked with Local Churches to Support and Assist Them in their efforts to help people suffering from poverty and injustice in our community. Worked with the Poverty Reduction Initiative to refine a proposal for a county-wide Affordable Housing Trust Fund to create housing for people in our community with the greatest housing crisis - the disabled and working poor.
Staff and Contact Information Open Door for Men Next Door for Women Long Term Residential Programs Support Staff
Board of Directors Jari Foster Pulford, President. Executive Director of SWM Systems. St. Timothy Episcopal Church. Rosalie Bohn, VIce President. Retired psychiatric nurse. St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. Jane Givens, Secretary. Nurse. First Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo. David Armstrong, Director. Engineer, Fabri-Kal. Pastor, Bethel Reformed Church. Cheree Thomas, Director. Sexual Assault Prevention. First United Baptist Church. Kevin Holley, Director. Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Kalamazoo. Shaun Hittle, DIrector. Psychiatric social worker. Senior Services.
Financial Report for 2005 Expense and Income Summary Shelter Program Operating Expenses: $210,937 Residence Program Operating Expenses: $29,063 TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES 2005: $240,000
Financial Support for Operations: $189,760 Residence Program Participant Contributions: $22,390 Residence Program Financial Support: $8,315 TOTAL INCOME FOR OPERATIONS: $220,465
Surplus (Deficit) for 2005 ($19,535) We are grateful for the generous financial support of over 300 households. Private individuals and families are the single largest source of support for our work. We are grateful for the vital support of the Dorothy U. Dalton Foundation, the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, the Gary Sisters Foundation, and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. We are grateful for the more than 30 local congregations who contribute to this effort. Support from local communities of faith is critical for our survival. We are also grateful for the support of the Southwest Michigan Classis of the Reformed Church in America. Michigan taxpayers are eligible
for tax credits on gifts to Open Door and Next Door Shelters. Taxpayers
can reduce their taxes by 50% of their annual gift (up to a maximum
$100 credit for gifts of $200 for individuals and a maximum $200
credit for gifts of $400 for couples filing jointly). Taxpayers
who also give to our endowment fund at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation
can claim a similar credit for gifts to Community Foundations. For
more information call 343-6064. FOR MORE INFORMATION Our Annual Financial Review by Yeo & Yeo PC CPA is available by contacting our office (343-6064). Our most recent IRS Form 990 (Return of Organiztion Exempt from Income Tax) is available from our office and on the web at www.guidestar.org. Men seeking shelter should contact the Open Door at 345-1431. Women seeking shelter should contact the Next Door at 349-2119. Working men and women interested in permanent, affordable housing in our Residence Program or Tenant-Landlord-Church Partnership should call 345-1431 or 343-6064. Reach us by email at shelter@charterinternet.com. |
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