Building Blocks enables residents to improve homes by providing funds and resources necessary to make small scale improvements and fix-ups such as painting and repairs with a coordinated block-wide program. (For information call 269-337-7122)
The Deacons’ Conference, an ecumenical agency serving the needs of low-income families provides clothing, household furnishings, counseling services, and other support to assist people to live in dignity. First Presbyterian Church is one of many Kalamazoo area churches that support the Deacon’s Conference. (For information call 269-344-7333.)
Since fall 2000, members from First Presbyterian Church have been tutoring at the Edison Environmental Science Academy, an elementary school in the nearby Edison neighborhood, helping students primarily with reading and math skills. Nearly two dozen tutors have been engaged in this outreach over the past two years. Because many Edison students do not have any books at all at home, the church has established a program using local Peacemaking funds to give each student at Edison a book to take home each year. It is hoped that, eventually, the children will each have received seven books in their personal libraries by the time they complete the sixth grade. For more information about the Edison Tutoring Project, click here.
The Joint Deacons, composed of Deacons from First Presbyterian Church, Westminster Presbyterian Church, and North Presbyterian Church, work together to provide a coordinated approach to serving needy individuals and families that might not adequately be served by the three churches acting separately. The Joint Presbyterian Diaconate also provides members an additional opportunity to contribute to many local charities through its annual Christmas Catalog. (For information call the Church Office at 269-344-0119.)
First Presbyterian Church provides financial support to the Kalamazoo Drop-in Care Center, established and operated by the First Congregational Church. The Center provides childcare at no cost to parents who are Medicaid eligible or who meet established low-income guidelines. Children are eligible to attend up to six days per month. (For information call 269-382-3640)
Kalamazoo Open Door—Next Door Ministry provides short-term food and shelter for young men and women who are homeless due to family crises or other circumstances. They also provide counseling services as appropriate. First Presbyterian Church supports this program in its annual budget. (For information call 269-343-6064.)
Loaves
& FishesLoaves and Fishes is a coordinating agency that collects and distributes food to many food pantries throughout the greater Kalamazoo area. First Presbyterian Church members donate food to Loaves and Fishes regularly throughout the year and assist with the food pantry at Ministry with Community. In addition, the church’s budget includes an annual contribution to support administrative costs of Loaves and Fishes. (For information call 269-343-3663.)
North Presbyterian Church is located on the near north side of Kalamazoo. Many of its members come from the nearby inner city neighborhood and are also served by the Joint Deacons. First Presbyterian Church provides financial support to North Presbyterian Church to assist with its programs to serve the emotionally challenged community. (For information call 269-345-1848.)
The mission of the United Campus Ministry is to infuse the educational community with a vision of a redeemed world. Programming is implemented for students that will assist them in experiencing a covenant community and developing a lifestyle of faithful and reflective service. Service learning opportunities are available locally, nationally, and internationally. First Presbyterian Church is one of 14 local churches and several regional denominational associations that provide funds to support this ecumenical campus ministry program serving students at Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, and Kalamazoo Valley Community College (For information call 387-2560.)