Kalamazoo Literacy Council

Family Literacy Day
2025-10-22 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Detroit) | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Join us for the last Family Literacy Day of the season! We’ll have pumpkin decorating, story time, free books, and festive activities. The fun happens INDOORS at 420 E. Alcott St. Hope to see you!

Tutor Orientation
2025-11-06 18:00 - 19:30 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Welcome! This is the training that is required to become a certified reading tutor with the KLC. In this orientation, we will introduce you to our mission and why we believe “Everyone Needs To Read.” We will also share what you can expect during and after tutor training. If you have any questions, please contact Abbey at (269) 382-0490 ext. 219 or aweathers@kalamazooliteracy.org.

Tutor Training parts 1 & 2
2025-11-15 09:00 - 13:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
This is the training that is required to become a certified reading tutor with the KLC. You will learn how to teach adults using the Laubach method and the Challenger reading series, plus effective strategies for tutoring and engaging native English speakers and English language learners. These sessions are hybrid, so you can choose to participate in person or online. If you have any questions, please contact Abbey at (269) 382-0490 ext. 219 or aweathers@kalamazooliteracy.org. Thanks for supporting adult literacy!

Tutor Training parts 3 & 4
2025-11-22 09:00 - 13:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001

New Tutor Orientation
2026-01-08 18:00 - 19:30 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Welcome to the Kalamazoo Literacy Council’s new tutor orientation! In this 90-minute presentation, you will learn about our mission, services, the training process, and what to expect from being a certified volunteer tutor with the KLC. This is a hybrid training, so you may participate in person or online. To sign up, please use the tutor registration form.

Tutor Training Parts 1 & 2
2026-01-17 09:00 - 13:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Welcome to the Kalamazoo Literacy Council’s tutor training! The January sessions are held over two Saturdays, in person or online. After this training, you will be certified to tutor adults using the Laubach method and the Challenger series and you will then be matched with an adult learner. To sign up, please use the tutor registration form.

Tutor Training Parts 3 & 4
2026-01-24 09:00 - 13:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001

Albert White Bust Unveiling
2026-02-06 16:00 - 17:00 | Kalamazoo Public Library Central Branch, 315 S. Rose St., Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
The public is invited to attend an unveiling of a bust of Albert J. White, created by local artist James Palmore and cast in bronze by Brent Harris. The event, which falls on White’s birthday, is part of Black History Month celebrations. Albert White was an African American mason who built some of Kalamazoo’s iconic structures, including Western Michigan University’s Heritage Hall and the County Health & Community Services building. Palmore also painted a portrait of White, which was dedicated in February 2025 and hangs in the lobby of the County building.

New Tutor Orientation
2026-03-05 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-05-07 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-09-10 17:30 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Welcome to the Kalamazoo Literacy Council’s new tutor orientation! In this 90-min presentation, you will learn about our mission, services, the training process, and what to expect from being a certified volunteer tutor with the KLC. This is a hybrid training, so you may participate in person or online. To sign up, please use the tutor registration form.

Tutor Training Part 1
2026-03-09 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-05-11 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-09-14 17:30 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Welcome to the Kalamazoo Literacy Council’s tutor training! The training is held in four parts, over two weeks, in person or online. After this training, you will be certified to tutor adults using the Laubach method and the Challenger series and you will then be matched with an adult learner. To sign up, please use the tutor registration form.

Book Club: Take My Hand
2026-03-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-03-19 13:00 - 14:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Join adult learners and other readers as we read and discuss the powerful book “Take My Hand” by Dolen Perkins-Valdez. The story explores the life of Civil Townsend, a Black nurse in 1970’s Alabama, who exposes a grave injustice suffered by her young patients. The Book Club is led by compassionate volunteers in a safe and supportive environment. You can join in person or online. Contact Abbey at (269) 382-0490 ext. 219 if you’re interested!
This class is part of the community read-along, being led by Kalamazoo Public Library, in advance of the author’s visit to Kalamazoo on April 11.

Tutor Training Part 2
2026-03-12 18:00 - 19:30 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001

Tutor Training Part 3
2026-03-16 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-05-18 18:00 - 19:30 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001

Tutor Training Part 4
2026-03-19 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-05-21 18:00 - 19:30 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001

Edison Mural & Public Art Academy
2026-04-30 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-05-07 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-05-14 17:30 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Join WMU art instructor Heidi Weiss for a free, 6-week course all about mural creation, maintenance, and restoration. The four evening classes and two paint days will use the street mural at Literacy Lane in the Edison neighborhood as the focal point. All are welcome to attend, and participants will receive a certificate of completion. Sign up here and come paint with us!

Tutor Training Part 2
2026-05-14 18:00 - 19:30 | MI

Family Literacy Day
2026-05-20 17:00 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Springtime means the Read and Seed community garden is open for Family Literacy Days! Join us on Wednesday, May 20, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. for fun and learning in a beautiful outdoor setting. Families will enjoy garden activities, learning stations, story time, free books, and more. The garden is located behind the Goodwill building at 420 E. Alcott St. All are invited!
Questions: Contact Kamaria at (269) 382-0490 ext. 263 or knichols@kalamazooliteracy.org.

Edison Mural & Public Art Academy
2026-05-21 17:30 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Join WMU art instructor Heidi Weiss for a free, 6-week course all about mural creation, maintenance, and restoration. The four evening classes and two paint days will use the street mural at Literacy Lane in the Edison neighborhood as the focal point. All are welcome to attend, and participants will receive a certificate of completion.

Family Literacy Day
2026-06-17 17:00 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
This month’s theme is Pollinators! Come join us in the Read and Seed community garden for lots of fun all around these important insects. We’ll have a Story Walk, free books from the library, and garden activities. The community garden is located behind the Goodwill building at 420 E. Alcott St. All are welcome!

Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest
2026-08-08 12:00 - 15:30 | Radisson Plaza Hotel and Suites, 100 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, United States
Let’s get ready to SCRABBLE!
Join us for the 15th Annual Kalamazoo Scrabble Fest, where word enthusiasts and literacy advocates shine! Scrabble Fest is the area’s only Scrabble tournament and an epic FUNdraiser for the KLC. Each $25 ticket in the Just for Fun or Competitive division includes a tshirt, snacks, and parking. Or, businesses can sponsor a 4-person team for $200. All proceeds benefit the Kalamazoo Literacy Council’s programs, helping adults in our community build essential reading, writing, and math skills. Get your tickets now and help us spell success for KLC learners!

Family Literacy Day
2026-08-19 17:00 - 19:00 | 420 E. Alcott St. Kalamazoo, MI 49001, 420 E. Alcott Street, Kalamazoo, MI, 49001
Recycle, reduce, reuse! This month’s event is all about sustainability. Come learn about the power of solar, wind, and water, and the magic of nature. Earn Market Buck$ to buy cool items from our Farmer’s Market, enjoy a StoryWalk with “The Leaf Thief” and get free books from KPL’s Mobile Library. All are welcome!
