Building Blocks of Kalamazoo

Building Blocks of Kalamazoo We provide residents of Kalamazoo central neighborhoods with the resources to complete neighborhood beautification projects.

This empowers residents, one block at a time, through community organizing, to enhance the quality of neighborhood life. Founded in 1995, Building Blocks is a non-profit organization that partners with Kalamazoo residents, neighborhood associations and Western Michigan University students to complete revitalization projects in central city neighborhoods. Students and residents are trained in stree

t level community organizing and work to build relationships within a neighborhood to address local needs and build social capital. Funding and support for Building Blocks is provided by Kalamazoo Community Foundation, United Way of Battle Creek and Greater Kalamazoo, Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, Harold & Grace Upjohn Foundation, the City of Kalamazoo, plus many other foundations, local banks, businesses, churches and individuals. Since 1995, Building Blocks has helped over 1,500 households in 140 neighborhood sites make physical improvements on their homes and streets.

Do you live on North street (between Arlington and Denner) and want to participate in our 2026 Catalyst Program? We want...
05/28/2026

Do you live on North street (between Arlington and Denner) and want to participate in our 2026 Catalyst Program? We want you!

Our program brings residents together around neighborhood beautification projects and shared goals to build trust, relationships, and create pride in your block. Please see the image below for more program details!

If you live within these boundaries and want to participate, please come to the Resident Meeting on June 5th at 5:30pm at 1009 Stockbridge Ave and contact Emily at 269-217-4121!

Connect with your neighbors!
05/06/2026

Connect with your neighbors!

Interested in getting more involved in your neighborhood? Join us for the first Kalamazoo Neighborhoods Connect meeting!

This meeting is open to the public, with a focus on neighborhood associations and groups. You’ll hear updates from the City and local neighborhoods, plus have time for conversation and collaboration.

Let’s build stronger connections, share resources, and support each other across Kalamazoo. We hope you can join us!

Wednesday, May 6
7-8:45pm
Don Cooney Cultivation Center, 1234 Bank St

https://www.facebook.com/events/3377843935729681/

05/06/2026

Your food scraps don’t belong in the trash.

Join us for a FREE Home Composting Workshop to learn how to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden.

Composting is a simple way to:
• Keep food scraps out of landfills
• Improve soil health
• Put nutrients back where they belong

📅 May 8, 2026
⏰ 4:00 – 6:00 PM
📍 Cooper Township Townhall
1590 D Ave W, Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(Parking entrance on Douglas Ave)

No registration needed – just show up and get started.

Take a look behind the scenes at our delivery process! Over the past few weeks, our residents have been planning project...
05/06/2026

Take a look behind the scenes at our delivery process! Over the past few weeks, our residents have been planning projects for their homes and requesting materials. Our organizers then take those requests and place orders at Lowe’s.

One of the busiest parts of our programming is receiving those Lowe’s orders and delivering them to residents before our scheduled Work Days. Our organizers are hard at work with the Building Blocks truck, loading up mulch, lumber, and whatever else our residents have requested, and delivering it to their homes. This process makes for smooth work days!

Our wonderful partners, Urban Alliance, are hosting a meet and greet with the new City Manager! Come make your voices he...
05/04/2026

Our wonderful partners, Urban Alliance, are hosting a meet and greet with the new City Manager! Come make your voices heard and get out into your community.

Join us for the next
Meet & Greet with our New City Manager Malcolm Hankins!

You are invited to meet Manager Hankins and to enjoy Community Fellowship over Grilled Food!

May 5th, 5pm-6:30pm
All are welcome!!!

Shoutout to our beloved program, Reforest Vine, for their 5 year anniversary this year and for doing some much-needed tr...
04/20/2026

Shoutout to our beloved program, Reforest Vine, for their 5 year anniversary this year and for doing some much-needed tree planting this weekend! Thank you for all that you do!

04/20/2026
Our city-wide neighborhood clean-up will be taking place on April 25th for Earth Day! Join us in Edison, Vine, Eastside,...
04/10/2026

Our city-wide neighborhood clean-up will be taking place on April 25th for Earth Day! Join us in Edison, Vine, Eastside, West Douglas, and on the Northside.

Our friend, Joe Byars of Reforest the Vine, is hosting an awesome event at the Edison Neighborhood Association: Winter S...
12/05/2025

Our friend, Joe Byars of Reforest the Vine, is hosting an awesome event at the Edison Neighborhood Association: Winter Seed Sowing! This event will be held on January 17th from 12-2pm. Gathering seeds for Spring pollination. Please see the bottom of the ENA Newsletter for more details!

December 2025 Newsletter
https://edisonneighborhood.com/so/2dPhRkxPv?languageTag=en

Project Spotlight: corner garden enhancement 🌷Those small green spaces on our neighborhood street corners can be made in...
12/01/2025

Project Spotlight: corner garden enhancement 🌷

Those small green spaces on our neighborhood street corners can be made into something beautiful and sustainable— it just takes some resident initiative. Our Eastside neighbors have a wealth of knowledge regarding native plants and sustainable gardening practices. Building Blocks provides them with the opportunity and resources to make this enhancement possible. This is an awesome community project!

Address

1009 E Stockbridge
Kalamazoo, MI
49001

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