Donation and Volunteer Opportunities
At Kalamazoo Defender, donations and volunteers play a key role in our ability to fulfill our mission. We are passionate advocates for our clients, in and out of court. The Michigan Indigent Defense Council (MIDC) through a contract with Kalamazoo County funds the legal side of our organization but our team provides support for our clients above and beyond highly skilled legal representation. The remainder of our work where real transformation happens relies on the generosity of our donors and volunteers. These funds are used to cover positions and meet clients’ needs that span beyond what MIDC allows. So, if you’ve been searching for a rewarding donation or volunteer opportunity, we invite you to learn more about our mission and join us in this transformational work.
How Your Donation Helps
Gifts from our community empowers Kalamazoo Defender in building a criminal defense model that delivers hope and makes transformation possible-personal, familial, generational, and community transformation. Together, we can make a bigger impact on the community we live in and serve. Your donation allows us to provide:
- the number of staff needed to serve our clients effectively- beyond the minimum MIDC standards
- trial Clothing and haircuts so clients can be present at court in a dignified manner
- transportation for clients to get to and from court and other court related programs
- transportation for clients to residential drug and alcohol treatment centers and psych facilities
- personal hygiene products so clients can feel clean and cared for
- emergency food items to get clients to next meal
- other items and services not covered by our MIDC funding
Donate today
Join the Movement
If you would like to support our work, please make checks payable to Kalamazoo Defender and mail it to:
Kalamazoo Defender
c/o Executive Director
151 S. Rose St, Suite 200
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Our Volunteers Fight For
Justice In the Courts – Court Observation Volunteer
Kalamazoo Defender launched a court-observation program to observe court proceedings with the intent to recognize and document both efficiency and inadequacies of the court process. This volunteer role captures unbiased data detailing efficiencies, lessons learned, and places for improvement in court proceedings.
Court Observing Volunteer duties include:
- Availability: Must be available for duration of the specified observation period.
- Ethical Data Collection: Must be able to collect data and stories to support unbiased judicial transparency efforts utilizing skills and ability to recognize and document the efficiencies and inadequacies of the court process, summarize court proceedings documents, and identify patterns, policies, practices, and individuals that may be contributing to harm.
- Technology Use: Ability to operate various software systems using a tablet or laptop computer.
- Court Rule: Follow all the rules of the courtroom.
- Confidentiality: Must agree to and sign Kalamazoo Defender confidentiality agreement.
Care In the Community – Court Table Volunteer
The purpose of the volunteer-run court table is to provide a welcoming environment and reduce the number of questions an individual might have before going to court. Volunteers provide information, including locating a courtroom, an overview of Kalamazoo Defender’s services, and other community resources. In addition, if the individual citizen is a Kalamazoo Defender client, volunteers can share attorney information and more info on what to expect depending on what court event brought them to the courthouse that day.
Court Table Volunteer Duties:
- Shifts: within the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
- Responsibilities: Directions, look up information, connect to resources, document concerns.
- Training: includes all software needed to be able to provide detailed court information, including the next scheduled court date, charges, attorney name, and courtroom.
- Requirements: Kindness, compassion and empathy for others is a must-have when operating the court table at the court.
- Confidentiality: A signed confidentiality agreement is required.
Dignity In the World – Ms. Vickie’s Closet – Resource Closet Volunteer
Ms. Vickie’s Closet (Resource Closet) helps Kalamazoo Defender’s clients look and feel their best when they are engaged with judges and/or juries. Our motto is “treating you with kindness while clothing you with dignity and respect.” This volunteer role keeps the resource closet organized by putting away new donations and tidying it up after everyday use. All resource closet items are provided by Kalamazoo Defender at no charge. Professional attire is dry-cleaned and returned to the shelf for future clients to use. The Resource Closet also houses non-court attire & hygiene products that are distributed on an as-needed basis.