Open Doors Kalamazoo

Building Relationships, Overcoming Homelessness

News

June 2022 Staff Award

Congratulations to Jillian Hocking for receiving the June 2022 Staff Award, recognizing Open Doors staff members for their extraordinary work and innovative ideas!

Jillian was nominated for her innovative ideas, supporting her colleagues, finding creative cost-cutting measures, and embodying the spirit of Open Doors.

“[Jillian] spends time listening to residents about a multitude of topics when she is called for maintenance support. She embodies the true meaning of building relationships to overcome homelessness. When an issue arises where immediate facilities maintenance support is necessary, she responds quickly to implement whatever is required.”

Thank you, Jillian, for your passion and commitment to our mission, and for being an outstanding member of Team ODK!

 

DISCOVER OPEN DOORS 2022

Thursday, May 19, 2022
Noon – 1pm
The Space at Honor Credit Union
4400 Stadium Drive
Discover Open Doors is back!
 
With COVID safety still on our minds, we are holding multiple Discover Open Doors luncheon events in a smaller venue throughout the remainder of 2022. The first of these will take place May 19th, Noon-1PM, in The Space at Honor Credit Union on Stadium Drive. Lunch will be served, and you will hear from a shelter guest and member of our Residence Community. As always, there is no cost to attend. Once you hear from our speakers, we hope you will be moved to make a donation in support of our mission and work.
 
We have 8 tables of six to fill. If you would like to reserve one of these tables for you and your friends, colleagues, etc., please contact Stacy Vest at svest@odkzoo.com or 269.205.3285.
(For safety, we are asking for reservations in groups only at this time.)
 
There will be more dates added soon. If you are not able to put together a table for May 19, but would like to attend at a later date, please reach out to Stacy as well.
Thank you to our sponsor: 

December 2021 Gatekeeper Awards

Congratulations to our December 2021 Gatekeeper Award Recipients, recognizing Open Doors staff members for their extraordinary work and innovative ideas!

Brayden Wietfeldt, administrative finance assistant, was nominated by a fellow staff member for researching and implementing low- or no-cost solutions to technology issues that are relatively easy to implement. “Brayden is very patient with end users. He never speaks down to anyone even though he has a much stronger skillset with technology than anyone on the team. He is the the most patient person I have ever met.”
Congratulations, Brayden, and THANK YOU for your patience, knowledge, and help!

Kelsey Hubbard, Lead CERA Reviewer, was nominated by a fellow staff member for her, “strong skillset, creativity, great work ethic, willingness to take on more responsibility at every need, and huge heart for the mission of ODK.” Recently, Kelsey used her outstanding creativity to help reach more people who needed rental assistance through the Covid Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA) program. “This provided support to applicants and landlords and put money back into our community that may not have occurred without Kelsey and the team providing outreach.”
Great job, Kelsey! We’re grateful to have you on our team!

Ralph Jones, one of our wonderful shelter staff members was nominated by a fellow staff member for his outstanding commitment to his work. “Ralph arrives for every shift with great enthusiasm, energy, and a very positive outlook. He engages with every guest, listens, and is very knowledgeable with his own life experiences and approach to how he lives each day to his fullest! He offers wisdom, guidance, a positive attitude and understanding to every guest and staff member he encounters.”
Congratulations, Ralph! And thank you for shining your bright light on all of us at ODK!