Courts decide cases through procedural filters. Understanding what counts—and what doesn’t—explains why many people feel unheard. What people think courts listen for When people go to court, they often believe the goal is to understand what really happened. They expect that: From the outside, this expectation makes sense. Courts are where disputes are resolved, and…
Author: Jennifer L. Dayton
I'm the founder and executive director of the Kalamazoo Justice Project, Inc. a writer, advocate, and entrepreneur committed to exposing the systems that uphold housing discrimination and civil injustice in our communities. What began as a personal fight for fairness evolved into a broader mission to hold local institutions accountable. Through lived experience and relentless research, I document what others are too afraid—or too protected—to confront.
This platform is my way of telling the truth: not just for myself, but for others who’ve been ignored, displaced, or silenced by a system designed to fail them. My writing is rooted in history, guided by evidence, and driven by the urgency of now.
What Due Process Is — and What People Think It Means
Due process guarantees procedure, not outcomes, and explains why so many people leave court feeling unheard. What people think due process means When people hear the phrase due process, they usually think it means fairness. They assume it guarantees: For many people, “due process” feels like a promise that if they follow the rules and explain their situation…
What Courts Are Designed to Do — and What They Actually Do
Courts are designed to resolve disputes, not hear stories. This piece explains how courts actually function, and why so many people leave feeling unheard. Courts are often described as places where people go to seek justice. In reality, courts are designed to resolve disputes, not to hear stories, not to explain themselves, and not to…
Nonprofits Without Accountability: When Systems Meant to Help Become Part of the Harm
The former Kalamazoo County Building, an early seat of local governance and judicial authority, now stands as a reminder of the institutions that shape, and too often fail, the people they are meant to serve. Photo credit: Kzoo Cowboy (Flickr).
Cracks in the Foundation
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…
Why the City Manager Matters: Kalamazoo at a Crossroads
With longtime City Manager James Ritsema retiring on November 18, 2025 (City of Kalamazoo), Kalamazoo is entering a pivotal transition. This change comes at a moment when our city faces an affordable housing crisis, rising homelessness, and growing mistrust in local governance. Unlike the mayor — an elected official with limited direct administrative power —…
Christmas at the Creamery
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…
Half of Kalamazoo Lives Behind Rented Doors: Why That Matters
When we talk about housing justice in Kalamazoo, it’s easy for some to think the issue only affects a small group, a few families in public housing, or tenants facing eviction notices. But the truth is much bigger. To understand why housing justice matters, we have to start with the numbers. Nearly Half of Kalamazoo…
The Creamery Dream – How a Promise of Stability Turned Into Betrayal
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…
When Mayors Are Landlords: The Housing Power of David Anderson
Kalamazoo is a city at a crossroads, facing a housing crisis that demands our immediate attention. While we pride ourselves on being a community of generosity, innovation, and opportunity, the stark reality of our housing situation tells a different story. Every day, residents are grappling with unsafe conditions, escalating rents, and landlord retaliation. What’s more,…
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