Our community after COVID-19

Like many of you, I have felt a complicated mix of emotions since the pandemic hit our community. This period in time has gifted moments of great inspiration and presented moments of serious pause.

As many sectors have unfortunately ground to a halt over the last few months, our work at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation jolted into overdrive as we collaborated with local nonprofits and community partners to respond to individuals and families made more vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic.

Our thinking at KZCF has been inspired and challenged by this pandemic. COVID-19 is calling on us to think differently about our community and how we serve it now and in the future.

This pandemic has made it clear that we must actively and urgently dismantle institutional racism in our systems (i.e. health care, education, economy) and individual institutions (i.e. hospitals, schools, jobs). We’ve recognized those on the front lines are often in low-wage jobs and many are people of color. They are not fairly protected from COVID-19 as they pursue a paycheck to support themselves and provide for their family. Their skills are essential to making our society viable and they deserve better.

We’ve been thinking strategically about our racial analysis in decision-making, and we have the opportunity to change outcomes for those made vulnerable by our society. We can remove barriers that prevent our community from reaching full potential. When we move out of this period in history, our work will have a greater focus as we ensure communities who have historically been excluded from policies, practices and systems live in a community that repairs these past harms.

I am overwhelmed and daunted by this work, but encouraged and excited to do it with you – our donors, fellow nonprofits and community partners.

Carrie Pickett-Erway President/CEO

UPDATE is a newsletter published three times a year by the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.

MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS TEAM Sarah Lee, Director Jordan Duckens, Communications Officer Tim Smolenski, Marketing & Events Officer Tom Vance, Communications Officer

CROSS-FUNCTIONAL EDITORIAL TEAM Sandy Barry-Loken Sue Bos Beth Gregory-Wallis Kururama Masomere Emily Olivares

LAYOUT & DESIGN Eric Schmidt, Frogsplash LLC

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? Please email Sarah Lee at slee@kalfound.org.

Cover: Icons made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com.

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