The Kalamazoo Experiential Learning Center Street Teams along with representatives from four Kalamazoo Neighborhood Associations are working together with the City of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety and Kalamazoo Sheriff's Office to host neighborhood block parties. These events, called Pop-up Block Parties, are hosted to create community engagement in the neighborhoods where police and youth can participate in an afternoon event that might result in new friendships and future conversations. The events are categorized to four different program themes, and the neighborhoods together with their KDPS COPS Division representative select the theme. The event team of interns will work to implement the events. The events will be educational based, and we will also have a Halloween event. The events are only 2 hours long, from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m., and they include the program theme, arts and crafts, games, music, and food.
The events all depend on local businesses and nonprofits participating, and there are many opportunities to create meaningful programming and connections with kids and families. The purpose of this is to connect kids and families to community enrichment and to use place-making as a way to change the way in which we interact with our public spaces.
If you would like to have one of these events at your neighborhood that involves either the police department or the Sheriff’s Department, please contact us by phone at (269) 388-2830 or by email at director@experientiallearningcenter.org.
