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Mark Your Calendars!

The Urban Democracy FEAST organizing team would like everyone to mark their calendars for the next FEAST, March 30, 2019. The FEAST will be held at EL Concilio, formerly known at the Hispanic American Council. 

For those that would like to submit an application for the next FEAST, applications will be available by January 15, 2019. The applications are due February 18, 2019. A list of local businesses and organizations where applications can be picked up.  Projects that are selected will attend a workshop, March 15, 2019. Location of workshop TBD. Make sure you check back often and visit our social media pages for more information.

FEAST Presenters at Allen Chapel AME in Kalamazoo, MI

Kalamazoo, MI- Allen Chapel AME of Kalamazoo, hosted the fall Urban Democracy FEAST. Three projects from the community were selected to present. Members of the community local and beyond gathered to hear from folks representing community gardens, literary and parent advocacy.

Mia Storm, director of Lamkin House of Kalamazoo residential, legal and other supports to asylum seekers in Kalamazoo and SW Michigan. Storm explains that there is a difference between an asylum seeker and a refugee. Folks seeking asylum are asking the United States Government for protection against persecution from their home country.

Renting a farm house and land from the Sisters of Saint Joseph, the organizers from Lamkin House are addressing how to increase free fresh produce for families that they are working with. Lamkin House received 19% of the funds from the nights FEAST. Click to watch the presentation.

Fathers Do Read, represented by David Jones, promoting fathers actively participating in schools and reading to their children.   Leading the change by example, Jones explains that the transformation  comes from within the individual person and not the schools or children.  Currently in the their fourth year partnership with the Kalamazoo Public Library, “Fathers Do Read” event a week before Father’s Day. The project received 25% of the funds. Click to watch presentation.

Parents for Transition founder, Tamiko Garrett, the FEAST last project for the evening shared her plans to work towards empowering parents who have children with ” invisible disabilities.” Examples including ADHD, ADD, Dyslexia, etc. Educating around special education laws and realistic expectations parents can support for their student transitioning from high school to higher education or vocational school. Parents for Transition received 56% of the funds raised at the event. Click to watch presentation.

Make sure you check our website often and connect with us on social media for the next FEAST! Watch gallery of images from FEAST! See you in Spring 2019!

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Date for the next Urban Democracy FEAST Event Coming Soon!

Date for the next Urban Democracy FEAST Event Coming Soon!