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Editor’s Note: The Nonprofit Spotlight is NowKalamazoo’s collaboration with area nonprofits, providing space for them to highlight important work that might not be known to Kalamazoo County at large. Know of a group that should be in the NowKalamazoo Nonprofit Spotlight? Submit a nomination here.

Two older people paint St. Patrick's Day crafts made to look like green top hats.
Two Courter Memory Center guests make art on St. Patrick’s Day. All photos provided by the Wilbur and Charlotte Courter Memory Center

Wilbur and Charlotte Courter Memory Center

2025

Named in honor of Comstock Community Center founders Wilbur and Charlotte Courter, the Courter Memory Center, a division of the Comstock Community Center, welcomed its first guests in January 2025. The Courter Memory Center (CMC) provides daytime care for adults living with mild-to-moderate cognitive decline due to aging, stroke, dementia, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s in a safe, welcoming environment. Trained staff provide person-centered care through socialization, games, crafts, exercise, and more – all designed to provide proper levels of engagement and stimulation to support a high quality of life.

Participation in the Courter Memory Center also provides much-needed respite support for family caregivers. Additionally, CMC staff members provide education to the general community regarding cognitive decline, caregiving for a loved one with cognitive decline, general caregiving support, and more.

 At the Courter Memory Center, we hope to build a strong support network for caregivers, families, and individuals who are impacted by dementia.

An older woman smiles next to a hand-decorated wooden birdhouse.
A guest smiles after decorating a birdhouse.
An older woman bends her body as she sits in a chair.
A guest participates in chair yoga.
A group of people walks along a pathway.
A guest and staff go on a walk on the path behind the Comstock Community Center building, which houses Courter Memory Center.
An older woman pets a goat from outside a paddock.
A guest visits with a goat during a petting zoo with Open Arms Petting Zoo.

One of our participants enjoys playing chess when at the CMC. Their family did not realize that the guest was still able to play, and when we told them and showed pictures of the guest playing, the family was completely overwhelmed.

Being able to help improve quality of life for a person living with dementia is significant and at the heart of what we do.

Additionally, many family members express gratitude and appreciation for being able to have time for themselves to run their errands, go to their appointments, and have time for themselves without worrying about their loved ones.

NowKalamazoo readers can support the Courter Memory Center in many ways, including following our social media and sharing our posts, attending one of our education programs, inviting us to speak at the community group, workplace, or church, or registering your loved one to participate in the CMC program.

We have an open house scheduled for Tuesday October 28. We are available for educational presentations and can tailor presentations to specific needs. Popular topics include general caregiving, dementia caregiving, dementia awareness and symptoms, elder abuse and scams, and long-distance caregiving. Anyone interested in learning more or scheduling a presentation can call our office at (269) 585-7794 or email us at [email protected].

One great way for followers to support our work is to make a donation (mail checks to 978 River St., Kalamazoo, MI 49048), or to volunteer with us. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact us at (269) 585-7794 or [email protected].

We also invite NowKalamazoo readers to donate or join our team for the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s, being held at Bronson Park at 10 a.m. on Oct. 18.

— Information and photos provided by Heather Mauney Pershing

Know a local nonprofit organization that deserves more recognition? Nominate them for NowKalamazoo’s Nonprofit Spotlight by submitting this form.

guys who give logo
Nonprofit Spotlight: Wilbur and Charlotte Courter Memory Center 8

NowKalamazoo’s Nonprofit Spotlight is supported by the Kalamazoo chapter of the social philanthropy organization Guys Who Give. Kalamazoo’s chapter of Guys Who Give currently awards more than $18,000 per quarter to a local nonprofit organization. For more information about how to join, visit the Guys Who Give website.