Kalamazoo, Regional and National Highlights

Blog 09/01/10 - Book drive helps people in shelters throughout Kalamazoo County
Local non-profit organization Take Life By The Page is taking donations of reading and writing materials such as books, notebooks, and journals for children and adults living in homeless shelters throughout Kalamazoo County.

Blog 08/31/10 - Kalamazoo's Gryphon Place turns 40: Agency known for suicide prevention offers much more
For people in poverty, there is no "map" or "guide" of how reach or access services. Many people rely on service referral organizations such as Gryphon Place to direct them to the correct organizations.

Blog 08/30/10 - Study shows every 10 public transit jobs creates six more jobs in Michigan economy
Not only is public transportation essential for those who work low-wage jobs, but it has been increasingly desirable by younger populations who want to live and work in urban environments.

An Overview of PRI

The Kalamazoo County Poverty Reduction Initiative (PRI) represents the employment, educational, human services, economic development, philanthropic, legal, and faith-based systems, and citizens in Kalamazoo County.

The PRI is a community change agent and does not operate direct service programs. The PRI role in community change involves planning, leadership, facilitation, and resource development. The Initiative sees its role as a catalyst that will help the community identify poverty-related issues and help coordinate, integrate and enhance current poverty reduction efforts, with clear lines of accountability.