Eastside Youth Strong

eastside youth strong supports eastside youth in their goals to graduate and be socially and emotionally strong. we offer programs that offer youth an opportunity to grow as individuals and be successful in their own unique way. we value our responsibility to hold youth accountable and encourage them to try new things. our history: eastside youth strong (formerly kalamazoo center for youth and community) was envisioned in 2003 by a group of community leaders who were committed to changing the negative outcomes for youth in the eastside and eastwood neighborhoods of kalamazoo. in 2011, with startup funding from the kalamazoo community foundation and subsequent program funding support from the irving s. gilmore foundation, eastside youth strong began implementing quality youth development approaches aimed at increased classroom achievement. since then, several partnerships have been developed to support changing the outcomes in the served neighborhoods. we now serve over 300 youth thro