Program Updates

Financial Wellness

Our Financial Wellness team partners with guests through a wide range of financial challenges. In every instance, guests find a team of experts who are ready to listen, set goals together, and sharpen skills so that our neighbors have the financial tools they deserve.

In May, Jacob and Lydia approached our team as first time home buyers, hoping to learn more about the process. Our team connected them with Sherry at Fifth Third Bank and Linda at Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. After working with Sherry and Linda over the last few months, Lydia and Jacob closed on their first home! We are so happy that Lydia and Jacob can begin a new chapter, and grateful for partnerships like these, that make huge wins like homeownership possible for families on our community. Congratulations Jacob and Lydia!

Food Club

At Food Club, we ensure that guests have access to the food their families need alongside nutrition education and training so they can lead happier, healthier lives.

Our Healthy@Home classes provide a hands-on opportunity for members to learn about preparing new-to-them foods, hone their culinary skills, and cook for different health requirements. While guests love learning new techniques, they've also shared that classes give them a sense of community. Recently, one attendee told our team that her favorite part of the class was "making friendships while learning."

Outreach

Recently Joy, our Recovery Coach, was at the Holland Farmers Market when a man noticed her Community Action House badge and her AA 20 year coin. He asked her if she was in recovery, and after sharing about her journey, he asked if she could help a young man, Dave* who works for him.

Joy was happy to help, and shared her card with him. Later that same day, Dave called and asked for help getting into detox and a residential program. After making some calls, Joy was able to find a program with availability that day! When Joy last spoke with Dave, he was one week sober, and planned to stay in supportive housing. We’re so glad that Joy’s work as a recovery coach, a role created in partnership with Community Mental Health, is able to break down barriers for our guests as they work towards stability.

*Name Changed For Privacy

Community Kitchen

When someone first loses their home, it can be hard to know where to start. Recently, a newly unhoused neighbor and her husband came to our Community Kitchen. She shared that we were her “first call,” because she knew she would be able to find support.

The Community Kitchen provides hot, healthy meals, while building community and opening the door for connection to other resources. Our Outreach Team works at the Kitchen almost every day, and offers case management, help with government applications, and a partner and friend to walk with our neighbors through the difficult process of finding housing. No matter the initial reason for meeting our guests–groceries, housing, or a hot meal at the Community Kitchen–we are primed to facilitate further momentum toward stability and financial prosperity.