Participating in the Kalamazoo Hoarding Task Force
Education about Hoarding
The KHTF wants our community to be educated about hoarding. The need for helping hoarders is on the rise, and the disorder is being talked about, studied, and relatively understood. The KHTF believes our group will continue to grow while searching for more people to become involved in finding solutions. For now, the KHTF gathers monthly to share ideas, share stories, and possible solutions. Please visit their website kalamazoohoarding.org for more information.
Who is Involved in the KHTF?
A growing group of 15 community professionals, gathering each month, to discuss and address hoarding issues in Kalamazoo County. The group currently consists of professionals from organizations or businesses that believe they are a part of the hoarding solution. The group currently consists of city officials, health care representatives, specialty organizers, housing resource representatives, 211 representatives, and ServiceMaster of Kalamazoo, your local cleaning company.
How Does the Kalamazoo Hoarding Task Force (KHTF) Help our Community?
Currently, the KHTF has a phone number and website for hoarders and hoarders’ loved ones seeking information. The number is: 211 (called locally in Kalamazoo) and the website is: kalamazoohoarding.org. Their website has a document available for download that contains contact information to local organizations and businesses that can help someone navigate through the hoarding cleanup process.
How Can I Support the KHTF?
Anything you can do to support the KHTF is appreciated. Supporting means talking about hoarding to your neighbor or friend about this article. Or maybe your organization or business could offer benefit to the group, or maybe you simply have a good idea you’d like to share with us. Keep talking about hoarding, and the more solutions we will find.
Do you have any questions and comments? Simply email info@smkazoo.com or leave a comment at the bottom of the page.
When it comes to hoarding,
NO JUDGEMENT. ONLY COMPASSION.
-ServiceMaster of Kalamazoo
How is ServiceMaster involved in KHTF?
Three representatives attend monthly meetings to give and gain knowledge about hoarding. We believe we are a part of the hoarding solution, especially the cleanup process. Our hoarding technicians were trained by hoarding specialist, Matt Paxton, and have continued educating themselves on issues regarding hoarding. We also understand it may take more than a cleaning company to help in a hoarding situation.
ServiceMaster of Kalamazoo is sponsoring the Matt Paxton events coming up in October. Matt Paxton is the hoarding expert and host of “Hoarders: Family Secrets”. We believe education on hoarding is critical for prevention. Matt Paxton will be speaking at GKAR (Greater Association of Realtors) to educate and teach those who want to know more about hoarding. For anyone wanting to attend these free seminars, please sign up for our blog below and follow future events, since the 2015 events have already passed.
Cleaning Up a Hoarded Space
There are many aspects to hoarding varying in complexity. The KHTF believes full intervention is necessary for a hoarder. The cleanup is an emotional and crucial time for the hoarder, and the cleanup can be either freeing or crippling. If the cleanup is done improperly, without care, or possibly without consent, the hoarder feels invaded and empty, adding even more emotional stress to their lives. We want our community to understand hoarding as a disorder, not a problem. A hoarder, typically, needs therapy before the cleanup and after the cleanup.
Unfortunately, the KHTF has no funds available at this time to provide direct hoarder cleanup services.
For more information and to keep updated on future events please visit kalamazoohoarding.org.
