What’s Happening At AACORN

A Legacy of Quiet Generosity

Julie Heath with her mother Gail G. Smith

Pictured here are Julie Heath (left) and her mother, Gail G. Smith, whose example of compassion and generosity inspired a legacy that continues to strengthen our community.

All of us at AACORN are deeply saddened by the passing of Julie Heath.

Julie carried forward the legacy of generosity she inherited from her parents, Glen C. and Gail G. Smith. Their example shaped her deep compassion for others and her quiet commitment to strengthening the community she loved.

Julie’s commitment to uplifting those in need found a meaningful expression through her partnership with AACORN. Through her stewardship of the Glen C. and Gail G. Smith Fund at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and her role in helping establish the AACORN Endowment Fund, she invested not only in AACORN’s work today, but in its future. For years, her steadfast partnership with AACORN helped us become the organization we are today, creating opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental differences that will enrich lives for years to come.

In keeping with her wishes, memorial gifts in Julie’s honor have been directed to AACORN and the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan – Be Nice. We are deeply humbled by her continued confidence in our mission and by the many who have chosen to honor her memory in this meaningful way.

The greatest legacy of generosity is not measured by what is given, but by the lives made better because someone chose to give. We are profoundly grateful for Julie’s trust in AACORN and will honor her legacy by continuing the work she believed in.

🎉 AACORN Nominated for Non-Profit of the Year!

We’re honored to be nominated for the 2026 Chamber’s Choice Awards!

Vote once each day through August 16 to help AACORN become a finalist.

VOTE FOR AACORN TODAY

Welcome to AACORN – we are happy to see you

Please take a few minutes to tour our website – let us know if you have any questions, are interested in participating or volunteering, or want to donate!

Click the photo to the left to learn more about AACORN in less than 60 seconds!

Buy AACORN Swag!

If you visit our friends at Aacorn | Kalamazoo Sportswear (purekalamazoo.com) (goes to https://www.purekalamazoo.com/aacorn) online, you can purchase all sorts of AACORN merchandise so you can both look good and spread the word about AACORN!

Learning New Skills

Each day, our participants and staff work together on a variety of farm chores and projects as we develop essential skills such as focus and teamwork. Our emphasis is on process rather than product.

Building Community

We spend time together participating in activities such as a daily walk as well as outings outside the farm. We love being part of our larger Kalamazoo community!

AACORN Values

Come be part of our inclusive, encouraging, and welcoming community. We love making new friends and connections here at AACORN!

Donations Welcome!

Have any ball jars hanging around and need some place to take them? Consider donating them to AACORN! We create all sorts of canned goods as part of our program with our farm grown produce.

Building Community

We see young adults who have not had many social opportunities choosing to hang out together like other young adults enjoy doing. This helps to build community among our participants.

Interacting with animals brings joy

There is no denying the value of the human-animal bond. Participants who do not have a lot of expressive language are able to be fully expressive with animals, who communicate in other ways too.

Expanding Options

Knowing that the choices for adults with developmental differences are very limited once they age out of school, AACORN provides a variety of indoor and outdoor activities.