Programs

Girls Inventing Real Life Solutions (G.I.R.L.S.) is not a program, it’s a movement!  Created by the DCA, G.I.R.L.S. works with girls (ages 13-16) to provide a safe space to explore restoring their voice and their power and to evolve from feeling like life happens to them.

Young Men of Promise (YMOP) was created by the Douglass Community Association to address the impact of systemic racism on young African American men and their ability to prepare for academic and/or career opportunities. 

Boys and Girls Club of Greater Kalamazoo provides a range of activities from arts and crafts to tutoring and leadership skill development, not only playing a role in the lives of the members, but also in the lives of their families.

Kalamazoo Parks & Recreation holds summer camps for 60+ children.

Helen L. Fox Gospel Music Center music education with a focus on urban youth.  Now enrolling for fall term: piano, violin, viola, cello and voice. Cost of music lessons are based on the ability to pay.

Northside Rocket Football be a part of a Northside legacy! 

Open Gym for Adults Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:30pm to 10:30pm

USDA Breakfast and Dinner Program (Meet Up, Eat Up) provides free breakfast and dinner at Douglass for youth during the summer.

Kalamazoo County Community Human Department 4 DADS program 24/7 Dad is an evidence-based curriculum centered around men building the characteristics they need to be good fathers 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Meets on Wednesdays from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Kalamazoo County Department critical services provided including private and confidential STI and HIV screening on the 3rd Wednesday each month and by appointment.

Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes will feed hungry people and engage our community in the fight to end hunger. Open on Tuesday and Thursday.

Michigan Works! on-site employment support services including coaching, resume assistance, computer stations, & PATH Program.

Mobile Food Initiative (w/ Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes) food distribution every 3rd Wednesday each month beginning at Noon.

NAACP securing political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons. Hours at DCA are: Monday and Friday from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm and Wednesday from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

Momentum (Urban Alliance) with a unique blend of life skills, essential skills and employment readiness skills, Momentum gets to the root of what causes job loss and develops with traits that employers crave.

The Northside Preschool (NSP) supports parents as their child’s first and most important teacher and prepares children to be kindergarten ready. The NPS administrative offices are located at the Douglass Community Association. The Preschools are located at the Jennings Development Interplex (JDI); Stones Church (New Genesis Learning Center); and Mt. Zion Baptist Church (S.E.E.D.S).

The Powell Branch of the Kalamazoo Public Library located within the DCA, offers Northside residents ready access to books, computers, and year-round programming for families and children.

Best Baby Zone Northside working together to give every baby the best chance in life by focusing on the Northside, addressing resident priorities, and supporting residents and organizational partners to create change. 

St. Luke’s Diaper Bank provides free diapers to the Greater Kalamazoo Community. On Tuesdays at Douglass Community Association distribution starts 9:00 a.m. while supplies last.

Rootead birthing justice and body awareness.