Photo of the Kalamazoo Backyard Yogis Studio

outreach

We provide opportunities for KBY members to make positive changes in the Kalamazoo community through the empowerment and fundraising of local non-profits. Below is a list of non-profits and programs we've fund-raised for by year.

2021-23 fundraising

fundraising for Rootead

Rootead Enrichment Center is a nonprofit organization that centers the lived experiences of BIPOC by providing connection and support through birth justice, youth empowerment, and community healing.

We chose to fundraise for Rootead because of their mission to serve Black and brown people in Kalamazoo. Since our studio's opening in 2021, we have fund-raised for Rootead through various special events and classes, by giving a portion - or the entire sale - of tickets to their organizations general fund, and specifically to the Black & Brown Therapy Collective, which connects residents of color to therapists of color for the healing of racial trauma.

To date, our community has raised $250

fundraising for OutFront

OutFront Kalamazoo exists to create a just, inclusive, equitable, and supportive environment in Southwest Michigan for people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and expressions.

We chose to raise funds for OutFront because of the LGBTQIA+ population we serve here at KBY, largely made possible for the longstanding work OutFront has done in the Kalamazoo community. We have fundraised for OutFront through special events like the drag show with the Kunty Kittens, and through various classes by giving a portion - or the entire sale - of tickets to their organizations general fund.

To date, our community has raised $376.97

photo of backyard yogis fundraiser for outfront kalamazoo with the kunty kittens

fundraising for Care Collective of Southwest Michigan

By providing barrier-free access to diapers, baby wipes, and menstrual products for young people, Care Collective of Southwest Michigan supports multigenerational well-being.

We chose to collect items for the Care Collective because of their multi-generational outlook towards care for specifically BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and immigrant families.

We held a donation drive and our community donated diapers and period products, as well as a monetary donation of $120

sponsoring a family

Around the holidays, our community anonymously sponsors a local family for the holidays.

We choose a family and put together an amazon wishlist of basic needed supplies, clothing, and toys for the family. Our community showed up in ways we couldn't have even imagined, and bought so many presents and basic needs for this family.

In total, our community has sponsored 2 families.