Our Mission
To create a culture of equity and inclusion that transforms the lives of Northside residents and beyond through effective, efficient and quality opportunities.
Our History
The Douglass Community Association, named in honor of Frederick Douglass, was established in 1919 to meet the social, recreational, and cultural needs of African American soldiers stationed at Fort Custer and their families returning to a segregated Kalamazoo after World War I. In 1964, the DCA gained recognition as a social service agency. After operating from various locations within the Northside neighborhood, the Douglass moved to its current facility on W. Paterson in 1982. Throughout its history, the Douglass has been a vital hub for social, recreational, and community development activities, serving individuals in the Northside neighborhood and the broader Kalamazoo community.
Our Core Values
Being a leader in achieving racial equality and social justice
Identifying unmet needs and finding resources and services to meet them within the scope of DCA’s mission
Promoting the positive effects of youth recreational activities on educational achievement and on physical, mental, and spiritual health
The Douglass provides a safe and welcoming environment to the community and serves as a convenient resource hub in the heart of the Northside.
From leadership
“I’m excited about working with community members and collaborating with other organizations to build on a 100 year tradition of producing programming that equip our youth, adults and families of the Northside to help reach their full potential. We will continue to communicate to our community the exceptional programming that currently exists. Douglass programming has included many organizations from St. Luke’s Diaper Bank, to Momentum of Urban Alliance, to Girls Inventing Real Life Solutions (G.I.R.L.S). In other words, programming at Douglass is fulfilling our vision to ensure that effective, efficient and quality opportunities are available for the development of families on the Northside of Kalamazoo.”
Stacey R. Ledbetter
Executive Director
STAFF
Stacey R. Ledbetter, Executive Director
James Ray, Chief of Staff
Robert Terrentine, Office Manager
Verlanda Shaver, Assistant Office Manager / Assistant Director of Security
Prentis A. Hearn, Administrative Assistant
Bill Alexander II, Director of Facilities & Fleet Management
Toney Paterson II, Custodian
Billy Alexander III, Custodian
Greg Ware, Custodian
Vic Ledbetter II, Director of Programming & Partnerships
Toney Paterson, Youth Resource Specialist
Diana Paterson, Administrative Assistant & Youth Resource Specialist
Charles Parker, Special Programming Consultant
BOARD OFFICERS
Dr. Deveta Gardner, Chair
Mark Hill, Vice Chair
Antonia “Toni” Kennedy, Secretary/Treasurer
Pastor Carl Page, Board Member
Wendy Fields, Board Member
Gallery & Testimonials
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Get In Touch
Address
1000 W PATERSON ST
KALAMAZOO, MI 49007
Phone
(269) 343-6185
HOURS
M-F: 8AM - 5PM
S-S: Closed