Throughout its history, the Douglass Community Association has served individuals and families in Kalamazoo’s northside neighborhood--as well as the greater Kalamazoo community--as a center for social, recreational and community development activities.
It also has advocated for civil rights, racial equality, social justice, and support for at-risk and vulnerable populations.
It's origins date back to the end of World War I. More than 350,000 African Americans served on the Western Front during the war. When they returned home they met with discrimination. Fighting that discrimination was behind the founding of the Douglass Community Association.
The Douglass will celebrate its 95th anniversary from 5-7 p.m Feb. 8 at The Union, 125 South Kalamazoo Mall, in downtown Kalamazoo. The event is open to the public.
Part of the 95th anniversary celebration will include a fundraising component. DCA will hold a silent auction of items such as paintings by local artists, autographed photos of football greats Greg Jennings and T.J. Duckett, a weekend package at the Radisson Hotel, and much more.
The Douglass offers critical community services, including:
• Frederick Douglass Recovery Center, providing behavioral health services including, outpatient treatment, case management, and peer support.
• Youth and Community Services, including substance abuse prevention through mentoring, education and recreation; after-school learning and team sports programs; and food and nutritional services, including a mobile food initiative, Educational Community Garden and the seasonal Douglass Farmers Market.
"We’re proud to celebrate this milestone and the positive impact the Douglass has had in the lives of thousands in our community," says Sherry Thomas-Cloud, DCA’s executive director.
Over the past two years, The Douglass has gone a long way toward resolving financial difficulties that threatened its existence. The Kalamazoo community stepped up to help it keeps its doors open.
"With the aid of many funders, organizations and community experts," Thomas-Cloud says, "we’ve developed a thoughtful and future-focused strategic plan; secured communication support; received consultation in fund development, organizational strategies and board leadership; received an infrastructure and facility assessment; partnered with skilled trades unions to perform needed repairs; and continued to receive generous contributions to support our services.
"At the same time, we’re not entirely out of the woods," Thomas-Cloud adds. "We’re building a sustainable model for the future, and we need support to get there."
Sources: Rick Chambers, Rick Chambers & Associates, Douglass Community Association
Photos:
Historical images from the founding of the organization in 1919.
A recent youth craft activities at the Douglass Community Center on West Paterson Street.
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