A computer rendering of the new YWCA of Kalamazoo.

YWCA RENOVATION A GIFT FROM...AND TO...THE KALAMAZOO COMMUNITY.

Project Overview

Name: YWCA
Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan
Project Type: Complete Renovation
Square Footage: 41,950 sf
CSM Project Director: Lisa Ann Prasher
CSM Project Manager: Melissa Wentland
Owner’s Representative: Jennifer Schoub, YWCA of Kalamazoo
Designer: Diekema Hamann
Project Architect: Steve VandenBussche AIA
Mechanical and Electrical Engineers: Byce & Associates
Completion Date: May 2008

You certainly don’t have to be a woman to appreciate the valuable services and programs provided by the YWCA of Kalamazoo. You only need to care about women, children, families, racial justice, or economic empowerment.

Apparently, the people of Kalamazoo care a great deal. When the YWCA of Kalamazoo launched its fund-raising campaign last year in order to finance a renovation of its 22-year-old facility, the goal was $5 million. But the campaign generated over $6.8 million, enough to not only complete the renovation but also to establish an endowment to provide critical building maintenance for years to come.

Deep roots and a wide reach.

The YWCA of Kalamazoo, the oldest in the state of Michigan, was founded in 1885. Ever since, it has been a strong advocate for women, children, and equality. It has worked to improve conditions for women in the labor force, supported them through two world wars, and helped strengthen families and the community along the way.

In 1974 it opened one of the first sexual assault crisis response programs in Michigan, and in 1976 the first domestic violence shelter in the state, which today provides over 14,000 nights of shelter annually to survivors of abuse, and to their children.

It also operates numerous other programs to assist women seeking economic and personal self-sufficiency, providing mentoring help, licensed day care for children and racial justice programming. It hosts numerous community events and programs aimed squarely at fulfilling the organization’s mission: “Eliminating racism. Empowering women.”

In 2004, the YWCA of Kalamazoo began to offer on-site medical, forensic nurse examinations for sexual assault survivors. For those not physically injured beyond the sexual assault and who do not require extensive medical treatment, nurse examiner services provide immediate skilled examination, evidence collection, care and support necessary in a warm and comfortable “non-hospital” environment.

Building requires care.

Providing over 12,000 nights of shelter per year for the last decade, and over 14,000 in 2006, has resulted in serious wear and tear on the YWCA building. And with increased utilization for many community programs targeting sexism and racism, lack of space became a problem. This created the obvious need for a complete renovation, soon to begin with CSM Group as Construction Manager.

Jennifer Shoub, Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA of Kalamazoo, is thrilled with the remarkable community response, and is excited that the renovation will allow the YWCA to remain in its downtown Kalamazoo location.

“The utilization of our programs and services has grown dramatically, and it takes space and people to deal with that. We originally thought we’d have to look at a new building elsewhere. But by renovating and converting some of our space to new purposes, we can prepare the building to serve more people and accommodate more programs on into the future,” Shoub said.

A large portion of that space— approximately 9,000 square feet— became available when the YWCA closed its fitness center in 2003. According to Shoub, there are others in the area providing those services, but no alternatives to the crisis shelter and other critical programs offered by the YWCA.

Renovation has several components…and many benefits!

Part of the renovation involves improvement to the physical plant. New HVAC equipment and roofing will replace failing systems, and a facility-wide generator will be added to ensure continued service delivery in the event of a power outage. In addition, building security will be updated with advanced technology. New systems will provide more control of access to the building and shelter, and help to ensure confidentiality for residential and nonresidential clients.

But the benefits aren’t limited to functional and “technical” upgrades. The added space gained through the project will enhance the YWCA’s delivery of services to the community in many ways.

It will permit an increase in the number of crisis shelter beds to 46, boosting the number of shelter nights available each year from 14,600 to 16,790. And the shelter itself will be made more private and home-like in the process.

The renovation will also add capacity to serve more infants and schoolaged children in the licensed childcare center. Community meeting space for critical programs will be enhanced. Space will be dedicated for racial justice programming. And general office space allocated for direct service delivery to clients will increase by 21 percent.

Why CSM Group?

“They really worked to understand our services, and how the building impacted our ability to deliver them. We had seen their signs everywhere, but it wasn’t until after we picked them that we realized how lucky we were that we did. We’ve been very happy,” Shoub said.

Lisa Prasher, Project Director and Group VP of CSM Group, is thankful for the opportunity.

“How can you not be excited about helping women and children to re-integrate into society after experiencing abuse and other hardships?” Prasher said.

Shoub sees another benefit from the renovation.

“Some people still aren’t aware of us and the things we do,” Shoub said. “With this renovation and beautiful new exterior focal points, more people will take notice.”

But she adds quickly, “the project will be done in phases and you’ll see construction going on, but everyone should know that we are in full operation. If someone needs help, we’re ready to serve.”

No surprise. Seems like that’s been true of the YWCA of Kalamazoo for 122 years!