Vacancy at Meristem

Are you looking for a quiet, friendly and cooperative living atmosphere? Meristem Cooperative currently has openings and is seeking members! Rent is $470 for a single large room. These prices include foodstuffs for snacking and for dinner, wireless internet access, free laundry facilities and utilities. Meristem is a non-smoking house with a capacity for five members (all single rooms). The house is located on 824 Davis Street. If you are interested, you should contact Caleb Oliver (caleb.j.oliver@wmich.edu; (616) 719-9787) for more information.

A New Year of opportunity

We had an exciting 2009 at Kalamazoo Collective Housing. Thanks to everyone who helped us throughout the year! Meristem Cooperative moved to a new house, Whiptail Haven got started, and we put a new roof on the Fletcher Collective! Meanwhile, our members and Board worked hard to plan our future. We've worked closely with groups like the Vine Neighborhood Association and Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services to start turning those dreams into reality.

The new decade will bring incredible opportunity for growth. Affordable rental housing is needed now more than ever. In the midst of a recession that is deeply affecting low-income and unemployed people, we need creative new economic models to take hold. Cooperatively-owned housing and worker-owned businesses are proven ways to build grassroots power and meet basic social needs. These models will grow globally as larger economic institutions fail to benefit most people.

At KCH, we intend to develop a variety of high-quality affordable rental housing that puts people first. Through this work, we will help revitalize Kalamazoo neighborhoods and give low-income residents more control over rental housing. But, we can only do it with community support. We need to collaborate with individuals, businesses, and nonprofits to change our core neighborhoods for the better. Will you help by donating your money or talent?

Wishing you a Happy New Year of joy and creativity,


Michael Gregor
Executive Director

Ending Homelessness in Kalamazoo: Progress in 2009

Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week

The week of November 15-21, 2009 is Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.  This is a time where we look to bring awareness to the issues of hunger and homelessness in our community.  It is a time to highlight the work that is being done throughout the year to combat these issues and to bring to the attention of the community that despite our efforts, there isn’t enough being done.

 

During this week, shelters will hold tours of their facilities, there will be a Poverty Simulation, volunteer activities, speakers at Rotary Clubs, Food Pantry Collection Days, a candlelight vigil and march, a showing of “Where God Left His Shoes”, information sessions, and a donation day where donations can be dropped off at numerous local shelters, as well as other events.

 

Check out the calendar

2009 Cooperative Education and Training Institute

In Our Backyards: Defending the Environmental Commons

In an era where the word "green" is used to describe everything from construction practices to the economy, environmental sustainability is in the spotlight more than ever as environmental injustices continue to threaten the health, safety and sustainability of communities everyday.  As leaders of the cooperative movement, we must ask ourselves what it means to engage in environmental issues at the local, regional, and global level.  How do we transform mainstream environmentalism into environmental justice and create and support just, sustainable (re)uses of land? What opportunities emerging from economic and environmental crisis exist to grow the cooperative movement?

November 6-8, 2009

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Learn more at http://nasco.coop/institute

Research Volunteer Needed

KCH is in need of a volunteer to conduct research on local affordable housing options. This volunteer will compile information on nonprofit and co-op housing organizations in Kalamazoo. If you have a few hours to spare every week, email michael@kalamazoo.coop about this opportunity.