Program Updates

Financial Wellness
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Alongside budget counseling, credit building, and foreclosure prevention, our Financial Wellness team offers Homebuyer Classes for neighbors interested in purchasing a home. After a recent class, one participant shared:

"This class was important to me...I know I need to work on my savings and my credit score before I can begin to think about purchasing. This will take a while, but I'm prepared to do the work.

I'm thankful for these classes to learn about these topics because honestly, no one taught me growing up. We don't learn this in school or when we are young from our parents. So how would someone learn to buy a home if there weren't classes like this? Thank you so much for having these!"

Food Club
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When Food Club was designed, one of our goals was to create a space where parents felt excited to shop with their kids, without the stigma that people often feel when accessing other food assistance. One guest, Paula (name changed for privacy) recently shared about her family's experience at Food Club:

"We think Food Club is absolutely the best thing ever...My family loves it. Recently, I took a cooking class to hone my knife skills and then a few days later my 11 year old took a class while I was attending a financial class. He had a blast...He made caterpillar fruit kabobs and personal pizzas. He didn't want to leave!"

Paula reflected that being able to "get a cup of good coffee and shop for my healthy groceries is such a wonderful feeling and a blessing. Everyone is so kind, sweet, and caring." We're grateful to offer a space where parents feel comfortable, welcomed, and proud to spend time with their families!

Outreach
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Herrick District Library patron, Bob (name changed for privacy), had never heard of Community Action House until he saw our sign while visiting the library. At the time, he was staying with his daughter, and sometimes in his car. He had been without a home since his wife died. Meeting with our team, we were able to connect him with Good Samaritan Ministries, who helped him find an apartment! Bob was excited to give our team a tour of his new home, and deeply grateful their help.

Just over a year ago, we began our partnership with Herrick District Library - holding weekly hours on-site, where our team provided connection, support, and resource navigation assistance for our neighbors.

Our team is proud to report that over the course of the year, they served 264 clients through 1,051 appointments! We're celebrating stories like Bob's, and are excited to share that our partnership has been extended for another year!

Community Kitchen
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When mozzarella curd was donated at the Food Club & Opportunity Hub, Chef Heidi knew exactly what to do: make fresh, homemade mozzarella with the team at the Community Kitchen!

Our staff and volunteers learned how to mix, knead, stretch, and form the cheese, then made caprese salad to share with guests!

The Kitchen team is used to working flexibly, creating menus week-to-week that utilize the fresh, donated food we receive. We love when community generosity and talent combine to create healthy, high-quality, and lovingly made food for our guests!

Vote to increase our chance of winning:

• Download the Chick-fil-A app on your iPhone or Android

• Create an account

• Go 'Rewards' and 'News'

• Select the Midwest region

• Cast your vote for Community Action House!

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With more neighbors than ever turning to us for support, this funding is critical to helping us expand. 130+ neighbors call on us every single day, and we need your help to continue greeting them with food, connection, and hope!

Voting runs September 1-24. Holland’s Chick-fil-A location is offering a free cookie to anyone who shows proof of voting September 19-24! Guidelines apply. Click here for giveaway rules and more information!

Save the Date!

•  Food Club's 1 Year Anniversary Celebration!
  October 25 will mark one incredible year of service at the Food Club & Opportunity Hub. You're invited to celebrate with us on October 22, 2022 - mark you calendars and stay tuned for more details! Stock-the-Shelves with a Donation Drive!

• Over the next three months, we'll serve even more of our neighbors with the food and connection they need to set their tables this holiday season. Help us stock-the-shelves at Food Club by hosting a donation drive with your church, school, or business. Learn more and sign up here.

"Changing lives with financial literacy"
Read an interview with Financial Wellness Counselor Tabitha from The Lakeshore.

Join our Team!
We're hiring for a variety of positions to expand our impact. Learn more & apply today.

How you can help this holiday season!
Listen in on WHTC's Talk of The Town with Development Manager Allie Egrin.