Program Updates

Food Club
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On average, our Guest Services team distributes 20 cans of formula to parents each week. Since May 20th, 1,028 cans have been given to local families struggling to find the formula their children need.

At Community Action House, we’ve worked for decades to provide welcoming essential services for our neighbors in a time of need. With recent baby formula shortages challenging so many families, we recently extended access to anyone in the community who is unable to access it elsewhere.

"They didn't make their resources feel [shaming] at all. It made the entire experience amazing, and I'll continue to recommend them to other mamas in need for other things as well," shared one mother, visiting us for the first time. "It's been very hard...I couldn't be more thankful for their resources!"

Executive Director Scott Rumpsa shared, “At Action House, it’s our mission to help our neighbors in their time of need. We’re grateful for the partners who help supply us with essential resources to share with our neighbors - including formula. Right now, we know there is a critical challenge with formula shortages. We’re proud to do what we can to ensure all our neighbors can access what they need, so we can all get through this temporary challenge together.”

Financial Wellness
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When Rosie walked into the office of Financial Wellness Specialist Tabitha, in 2019, she had little hope for her financial future. “I knew if I continued to live the way I lived financially, I would dig myself in so deep that I would not recover,” said Rosie. “Sitting in front of Tabitha, tears in my eyes, we could hardly find the words to say. But I believe that we both knew coming in that night would change my life.” 

She was living with family because she had lost her housing. Her credit score was 523, she had thousands of dollars in collections, and loans she couldn’t pay.

Tabitha worked with Rosie to understand and create budgets, providing the encouragement and support Rosie needed so she knew she wasn’t alone. Over multiple sessions, they worked through the steps that Rosie needed to meet her financial goals.

In the past 2 years, Rosie was able to find an apartment, pay off numerous debts on her credit report, and develop a sustainable budget. When her credit score was pulled this May, Rosie screamed with joy - at 629, her improved score meant that she could finally pursue owning her own home. Last year, 11 homes were purchased by Financial Wellness program graduates, and 78 people were provided with housing counseling services.

Outreach
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Our Outreach Team works closely with Community Mental Health and the Holland Police Department, working together to provide case management and support for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Recently, our teams collaborated to help a guest in crisis.

With multiple suicide attempts, numerous Emergency Department visits, and dozens of police reports, our guest was unhoused and struggling.

Working with Community Mental Health, our Outreach Team was able to move her into a hospitalization program, where she could access medication, support, and employment. Now, she’s moved out of this program, into housing, and working a regular job.

“She came to Refresh a whole new person. Smiling, laughing - in such a different place than just getting by day-to-day and looking for a place to sleep every night. She’s able to engage in conversations. She’s not just in crisis, but stable, and happy.” - Olivia, Program Director

Community Kitchen
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Brian Carder has had a lifelong love for gardening. A regular Community Kitchen volunteer, Brian works several days a week prepping, washing dishes, and enjoying the community of volunteers, staff, and guests that gather at the Kitchen. When our Head Chef Heidi found seed starter kits at our Resale Store, Brian quickly volunteered to help tend them. As the plants grew, Brian, Heidi, and the team began to dream about what it could look like to start a garden at the Community Kitchen.

With support from our partners at Western Theological Seminary, the Kitchen team received permission to turn an existing flower bed into a garden. Our friends at Eighth Day Farm joined in, donating starter plants and compost, and helped turn Brian and Heidi’s dream into reality.

Our guests have already joined in, helping water seeds as they sprout in the dining room before being planted outside. With tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and herbs, the garden will grow fresh produce that our Community Kitchen team can use in the healthy, hot meals they make each day. On average, the Community Kitchen serves 150+ meals each day, along with moments of connection and support for our neighbors.

Save the Date!

• The Juneteenth Freedom Festival is on Saturday, June 18!
  I Am Academy is excited to sponsor the annual Juneteenth Freedom Festival, kicking off on June 17 at 7pm with a concert at Park Theatre. Learn more here.

• Join us at the Pride Festival on Saturday, June 25
  See our team at the Pride Festival from 12-5pm at Centennial Park on June 25! Read more about the event here.

• Triple Your Impact with Meijer Simply Give!
  June 18 is the next Double Match Day for the Meijer Simply Give Campaign! Your donations will be tripled (providing up to $15,000!) through our partnership with the Northside Holland Meijer. 

In Case You Missed It

CAH News & Updates

Postal Food Drive collects 47,549 lbs of food
80+ volunteers worked as drivers and food sorters. Hear more from our team on WHTC's Talk of the Town, or read about the event in The Lakeshore.

Holland Rotary Donates Motorized Shopping Cart
The Holland After Hours Rotary Club, with support from Gentex, donated a motorized shopping cart and wheelchair for Food Club Guests. Read more here.

Action House provides formula for local parents
“At Action House, it’s our mission to help our neighbors in their time of need,” shared Executive Director Scott Rumpsa. Read more in the Holland Sentinel.

Community Garden uses sustainable practices
Our partners at the volunteer-powered Holland Community Garden use sustainable practices to provide 5,000-6,000 pounds of produce each year.