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.

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Our History

The Douglass Community Association, named in honor of Frederick Douglass, was founded in 1919 to address the social, recreational, and cultural needs of African American soldiers stationed at Fort Custer and their families returning to segregated Kalamazoo from World War I.

In 1964, the DCA was recognized as a social service agency. After working out of several locations in the northside neighborhood, the Douglass moved to its current facility on W. Paterson in 1982.

Throughout its history, the Douglass has served individuals in the Northside neighborhood, as well as the greater Kalamazoo community as a center for social, recreational, and community development activities.

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 includes being a community distribution site for the 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 the 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
Interim Executive Director

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Jonathan Yarbrough, Operations Manager at the Douglass Community Association, believes in working together toward positive change. A 2023 Master’s graduate of Michigan State University, Yarbrough is passionate about driving our community toward success.

In his pursuit of driving his community toward success, Yarbrough gives back by working at the Douglass Community Center. There, he ensures everyone he encounters has what they need. Among many other things, Yarbrough addresses food insecurity and lack of weather-appropriate clothing to help our community feel cared.

Through a partnership with St. Luke’s Diaper Bank, Yarbrough works to ensure that babies in our community have access to diapers. He also works closely with Loaves and Fishes to ensure that food insecurity is addressed as best as he can. Free coats, hats, and gloves are also provided to local youth through the Douglass Community Center under Yarbrough’s watch. “It’s extremely important to me that everyone is taken care of,” he explains. Jonathan remains grounded in his values of Humility, Faith, Character, Love