BUILDING Connection
capital campaign
Over the last few years, we changed in ways we couldn’t have predicted pre-pandemic. Amid these changes, our organization tripled in size, and we expanded our services throughout the state and country.
With this incredible growth, we quickly reached our building capacity, and our staff began to work remotely. While we still offer various trainings in our facility, we’re limited by the lack of capacity. In addition to outgrowing our current building, we have seen an increased need to deepen relationships with our partners who are service providers. By working closely together with these organizations, we’ll be able to provide a person-centered approach to well-being in our community. To accomplish this goal, we need a location in downtown Kalamazoo so people can meet with our team in-person to get the support they need.
Throughout all these changes, we continue to be committed to compassion, understanding, inclusivity, and connection. We are committed to Kalamazoo. It is our hope that you’ll join us in this campaign to support our new facility in any way you’re able.
OUR PAST POINTS
TO OUR FUTURE
In 1970, a nonprofit youth drug drop-in center called Gryphon House was formed. The next year, the overdose aid drug information line began, which later became the Helpline (269-381-HELP). Gryphon House then changed its name to Gryphon Place, and the Helpline became a 24/7 operation. Since then, Gryphon Place has continued to grow by expanding and absorbing several conflict and crisis programs in Southwest Michigan. Gryphon Place still holds true to its original mission to help people in conflict and crisis, while also improving and enhancing our programs and services to best serve the community’s evolving needs.
THE
NEED:
The City of Kalamazoo has the highest concentration of economically-challenged individuals in the county.
25%
poverty rate
53%
below ALICE
EXPANDING
DOWNTOWN
321 W Cedar St. Kalamazoo
A downtown location will increase visibility and accessibility to individuals who may have the greatest need for resource navigation and crisis support. It also makes Gryphon Place accessible to those using public transportation, walking, or biking.
YOUTH SOCIAL HUB
The Hub will serve as a centralized source of support to Kalamazoo County youth connecting and helping navigate community resources and social-emotional learning support in partnership with area youth-serving agencies. We will have collaborative services provided by people with lived experience to help inform and navigate our youth through crisis and conflict. The Hub will also house Gryphon Place’s Justice Lifted Youth Diversion Program, be a place for community partners to offer programming, and provide health and human services.
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
EXCHANGE
Community Information Exchange® (CIE) is a framework that supports a community member in seeking and obtaining services by exchanging data among multiple organizations. It puts the individual at the center, allowing agencies to better tailor and provide services specific to the individual while also allowing the individual to seek services at multiple agencies more seamlessly. This is accomplished through community partners’ use of a shared language, a shared resource database, and an integrated technology platform.
THE CURRENT 8TH ST BUILDING WILL BE RENNOVATED INTO OUR ADMINISTRATIVE & TRAINING CENTER
renovations have been funded for this project
