Community Newsletter | January 6th, 2025

Dear Northside Neighbors, Partners, & Community,

As we step into a new year, we’re excited to share an important moment to mark on your calendar, and to reflect on the progress we continue to make together. January is about momentum, connection, and setting the tone for what’s ahead on the Northside.

We’re excited to share that NACD is launching a new annual fundraiser, Northside Day, happening on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Northside Day will be a full-day celebration designed to bring the community together while directly supporting NACD’s work in workforce development, housing, and neighborhood revitalization.

The day will feature a 5K walk/run in the morning, a community celebration at LaCrone Park in the afternoon, and Beats on Northside Alley in the evening for our adult audience. Together, these experiences will create space for connection, celebration, and investment in the future of the Northside.

More details will be shared in the months ahead, but for now, we encourage you to mark your calendar. Northside Day is built by and for the community, and we’re looking forward to making this a tradition that moves the Northside forward.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to last month’s Giving Tuesday campaign. Whether your gift was large or small, your support makes a real impact. These contributions help strengthen workforce pathways, support families, and fuel programs that move the Northside forward.

Thank you for believing in this work and walking alongside us as we continue building opportunity together.

Last month, we proudly celebrated the graduates of our Basic Electrical & Electrical Safety Training Program. This cohort committed themselves to learning practical, hands-on skills that open doors to real career pathways and long-term opportunity.

We’re proud of their dedication and excited to see how these newly gained skills support their next steps. Congratulations to all of our graduates!

As the new year gets underway, we’re looking forward to creating spaces for connection and growth throughout January. Here’s what’s coming up at NACD:

Monthly Community Board Meeting | January 20th, 6 - 7PM

Join us to celebrate the accomplishments of the newest graduates our Basic Electrical & Electrical Safety Training Program. This marks an important step forward for students who have invested their time and talent into building new skills that open doors to empowering careers.

Homeownership Resource and Education Fair | January 27th, 5:30 - 7:30PM

This event will help community members better understand the home-buying process, AMI (Area Median Income), and eligibility requirements.

Build Your Career at The Kalamazoo Event Center | January 28th, 4:00 - 6:00PM

Connect directly with employers, contractors, and partners working on the Kalamazoo Event Center and explore career opportunities in construction.

NACD continues to offer diaper, wipe, and period product distribution as part of our partnership with Care Collective of Southwest Michigan.

Distributions are available Mondays and Wednesdays, by appointment, or at our monthly Community Board Meetings (January 20th, 6-7PM)

Please call the NACD office to schedule a time: 269.344.5490

We also want to notify all residents of some upcoming utility work in the Northside Neighborhood. Consumers Energy has scheduled gas main replacement work, beginning along Kalamazoo Avenue and moving north. The work is set to be completed in three phases, with crews working on the streets marked by dashed lines in the map below. The goal is to complete the project by April.

All affected residents will receive a letter from Consumers Energy with project details and a direct contact for questions. Letters typically go out about two weeks before work begins (they may be slightly delayed for the January start date). The goal is to keep roads open with lane closures when possible, but some temporary road closures may be necessary depending on conditions once crews begin work.

We’ll continue to share updates as we receive them. Thank you for your patience as this important infrastructure work moves forward!

I’m grateful for this community that shows up, supports one another, and continues to move the Northside forward. We’re excited for what’s ahead and honored to be building it together.

Jonathan Yarbrough
Executive Director
Northside Association for Community Development