This post has moved to my personal author platform.
As Kalamazoo Justice Project establishes formal Board governance, my personal narrative and evidence-based writing is being housed independently so it is not owned, controlled, or governed by the nonprofit.
Read the full post here: https://jenniferldayton.substack.com
This work reflects my personal experience and analysis and is published in my individual capacity, not as a statement of the organization.
English
I have only been in Kalamazoo since February 22nd, 2025, and Kalamazoo is very much a extremely hard place to live, or to even survive. The hotels are paced full of homelessness ie..Red Roof Inn in Oshtemo, and on Cork Street. The amount of substance abuse is higher than I witnessed as a Child in the Bronx, NY, as well as others, Human/Child trafficking. People are struggling horrendously here. It’s extremely sad. It’s not safe here. The Government Agencies are destroying families, instead helping like they should.
Chenaan— It was an absolute pleasure to meet you at the KP Library this week, and thank you for sharing your story with me. You are such a fighter and your story is an inspiration to others. I appreciate you taking the time to read my first blog, and you’re right. We are a community that is desperately hurting and needs necessary reform. I hope that this initiative will help with these deficiencies. Please update me on your journey, and safe travels back to Tennessee! I will be keeping you in my thoughts and prayers ❤️ – Jen