Date: September 21, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lauryn Jianrattanasawat
269.381.4417
How Housing Access Moves Us Toward Becoming the Most Equitable Place to Live
KALAMAZOO, Mich. — In its 101st year, Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) is bringing community together to explore what it takes to create a thriving community where people, resources and expertise are mobilized to advance racial, social and economic justice, resulting in a Kalamazoo County where safe, reliable and affordable housing is within reach for everyone.
On Tuesday, Oct. 6, KZCF will host a community-centered conversation with Stephanie Land, author of the New York Times bestseller Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive, which inspired the hit Netflix series Maid. Together, we’ll explore systemic barriers to making homes possible, as well as solutions to ensure that affordable housing is within reach for every resident in the county. All community members are invited to join the conversation at this free event.
“We believe there is power in community gatherings because they foster connections among us and cultivate transformational relationships that effect change,” says Dr. Grace Lubwama, KZCF president and CEO. “I am excited for this year’s meeting because together, we will explore how everyone — regardless of race, identity and circumstance — can thrive when they have safe, reliable housing and ultimately fulfill their potential and contribute their unique talents to our community.”
Housing is key to Kalamazoo County becoming the most equitable place to live. KZCF mobilizes philanthropic resources to support efforts that increase housing access and stability for individuals and families across our community. Through grantmaking from KZCF’s unrestricted resources and donor advised funds, we invest in nonprofit organizations working across the housing continuum, from supporting people experiencing housing instability and preventing housing loss to preserving and expanding affordable housing.
KZCF also leverages impact investing to put more of its resources to work in the community. Through low-interest loans, KZCF helps finance affordable housing projects, providing another source of capital to support the development and preservation of housing throughout Kalamazoo County. The Community Meeting reflects KZCF’s broader commitment to bringing people together around the issues that shape the health and vitality of our community by creating space for learning, conversation and connection.
The Community Meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Radisson Plaza Hotel at Kalamazoo Center. The event is free and open to the public. Registration is available at kzcfcommunitymeeting.ludus.com.
About Kalamazoo Community Foundation
Committed to becoming Kalamazoo County’s most trusted philanthropic institution, KZCF is a champion for changemakers doing a world of good across Kalamazoo County. KZCF plays a vital role in community development and leadership by bringing community members together to address systemic issues. We believe there are four keys to community greatness: Wealth is attainable and people have resources to meet their needs and invest in their futures; Housing is affordable, available and safe for every individual and family; Education is accessible and learners are supported on their journeys; and Neighborhoods are vibrant and community spaces nurture health, safety and strong connections.
Learn more at kzcf.org or connect with KZCF on social media at @kalfound.
About Stephanie Land
Stephanie Land is an American author whose writing explores poverty, economic inequality and the experiences of families navigating systems of public assistance. Her debut book, Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive, became a New York Times bestseller and was adapted into the Netflix limited series Maid. Drawing from her own experiences, Land writes about poverty, work, parenting and the systemic barriers facing families working toward economic stability. Her work has appeared in publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian and The Atlantic.
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