Program Updates

Financial Wellness
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Our VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Program provides free tax preparation services for low income families, capturing thousands of dollars each year and returning them to our community. On April 26, we recently celebrated the close of another successful season of service, powered by 26 volunteers.

A guest named Carl (name changed for privacy) called our VITA team to schedule a tax appointment. Speaking with our AmeriCorps Team Member Lydia, Carl expressed that he was worried about losing his home because he was behind on his property taxes, and wasn’t sure if he should file his 2022 taxes. 

Lydia assured Carl that Community Action House could help him get his taxes done, and use his refund to help him pay his backlogged property taxes. With help from Lydia and the VITA team, Carl was able to complete his return, pay his property taxes, and avoid losing his home.

Outreach
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Peter (name changed for privacy), only 20 years old, has worked with our team since March of 2021. Peter was placed in a juvenile detention center at 16 and stayed there until he became an adult. His parents never arrived to pick him up, leaving him without housing, support, or a family to turn to.

In the two years that Peter lived outdoors, he hit barrier after barrier while trying to find housing. Born outside of the US, it was difficult to obtain his birth certificate and other required documents. Facing the stress and uncertainty of being unhoused, Peter struggled with debilitating mental health conditions that made day-to-day activities impossible, and finding housing even more difficult.

After working with our team for over a year, Peter was finally moved into safe, stable housing, with a built-in support system, last month.

“It was amazing to see the difference in Peter when he moved from living outside to living in safe housing,” said Dan, one of our Outreach team members. “His eyes are brighter, he’s more engaged, and has his personality back. He’s pursuing jobs for the first time, able to handle day-to-day tasks, and making healthy decisions.”

Our team is celebrating, and we invite you to celebrate with us. Finding housing for someone experiencing homelessness takes the coordination of an entire community, working together, and we’re grateful for your support.

The Community Kitchen
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The Community Kitchen team works flexibly and creatively to provide healthy, high quality food, using ingredients from our Food Rescue team and donated by the community. This means that our team often works with limited options while still providing a delicious, nutritious meal for guests. Lately, our community has shown up for guests at the Kitchen in surprising and unexpected ways:

• One guest recently requested Salisbury Steak - a meal that our team never makes. Moments later, our food rescue pick up arrived with Salisbury Steak!

• Two guests had birthdays, so the team planned to serve cake to celebrate. They were disappointed when their food order arrived, and none were available. Hearing this, two of our Food Rescue volunteers hunted high and low, and arrived at the Kitchen later that day with two big, beautifully decorated “Happy Birthday” cakes.

• Our team purchased a juicer, dreaming about using it to make healthy juice for our guests using extra donated produce. Two days later, a pallet full of celery was donated at Food Club!

• A few weeks ago, the Kitchen was busier than normal, and their dishwasher broke down. In the midst of serving food and trying to keep the kitchen running, someone our team had never met walked in and asked, “Is there anything I can do to help?” He returned later that week to help wash dishes again.

When guests can eat their favorite foods, celebrate a birthday, and try new + healthy options, it makes the Community Kitchen a place for more than just a meal.

It takes a community, working together, to make moments like these happen for those who need connection and support the most. Thank you for being a part of it.

Food Club & Opportunity Hub
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John (name changed for privacy) had long relied on our former food pantry and now shops with us at Food Club. On a recent shopping trip, Deb noticed that John, who struggled to walk independently and needed assistance, was walking and pushing his own cart!

She remarked that he wasn’t in his usual chair, and John was proud to share that in the five months he’s been at Food Club, he is getting around better, feeling healthier, and had lost 50 lbs. He said he’s “never eaten as many fruits and vegetables” as he is now, with Food Club.

Deb reflected that John was proud to share his health improvements, but more than anything, was touched that our team noticed his presence and his progress. This is why we’re here - to build community, provide support, and walk alongside our neighbors on their journey to greater stability. We’re excited that John was also able to utilize the services available in the Opportunity Hub, working with our VITA team for free tax preparation. Our service starts with food but offers so much more, and wouldn’t be possible without your support.

In Case You Missed It: CAH News & Updates

Community Action House on Talk of the Town
Hear our People & Culture team discuss current volunteer needs at Community Action House!

Seniors' sewing project supports healthy eating
Aprons donated by Freedom Village Seniors support our new cooking classes. Read more at The Lakeshore.

From the Team: An Update from the Executive Director
A six month update on our service & how Food Club arrived at the right time.

Social Workers help library users access resources
CAH and Herrick District Library partner to provide resources. Read more at the Holland Sentinel.

The Food Club & Opportunity Hub was recognized in a Michigan Wide interior design competition!
As one of 5 nominees in the expert-judged 'renovations' category, we finished 2nd in the state! Also nominated for the 'People's Choice' award, we received 377 votes, finishing 4th out of 18. This was great recognition for the partners who helped create a welcoming, inclusive, efficient space - our guests appreciate it, 6 days a week.

Save the Date!

• Join us at the Tulip Time Parade on Saturday, May 14!
  Walk with us in the parade! We have 3 slots open for volunteers to represent Community Action House.

• The Postal Food Drive is back after a 2 year hiatus! Join us Saturday, May 21.
  Help Stamp Out Hunger by donating non-perishable food items in bags provided by UPS the week before the event, and leave it next to your mailbox before 9AM on May 21!

• Our Annual Golf Classic is Thursday, May 19!
  We have one foursome left! Join us for our largest fundraising event of the year and help us meet our goal of providing 90,000 meals for our neighbors. Learn more and sign up here.
  We're grateful to our 2022 sponsors who have helped make this event possible: Gentex Corporation, Bob and Deb Sterken, Always Fresh Family Farms, Request Foods, Charlie and Annie Sterken, Lakewood Construction, New Holland Brewing Company, Global Concepts Enterprise, Tennant Company and all of our other generous sponsors!