Community Action House

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What Drives Our Health? Nourishing our Neighbors takes More than a Meal

Sydney Quillian

Research shows that health is built by more than biology– it’s shaped by our daily lives and environments. Studies  have identified Social Drivers of Health: factors that play a significant role in determining our overall health. Things like our financial stability, the quality of our education, our access to healthcare, the safety of our homes, the stability of our jobs, and the support of our community all play a significant role in determining our overall well-being and the opportunities we have to live a full and healthy life (Healthy People 2023, n.d.a). 

At Action House we’re committed to providing a streamlined path towards health and stability -  working together to build a community where all of our neighbors have what they need to thrive. When someone comes to us—whether for groceries, housing support, or a hot meal at the Community Kitchen—we see it as an opportunity to offer more than just immediate help. In the pivotal moment between a challenge and a crisis we don’t stop at a short term solution - we work with guests to find integrated solutions that lead to lasting change.


What are Social Drivers of Health?

Economic Stability

When neighbors struggle to make ends meet, they are forced to make suboptimal choices such as forgoing healthy food for cheaper but less nutritious options, delaying preventative physical and mental health care, compromising on safe and supportive child care, and cutting back on investments in their children’s education. The forcing of their hand drives  long-term damage to both their health and the educational and socioeconomic attainment of their children. 

Food insecurity is financial insecurity. While we focus on food as a leading barrier for families, our service continues past the provision of basic needs to help build long term stability. Through one-on-one financial counseling and financial workshops, our team provides relationship based support to equip families with the tools and knowledge they need to build a solid financial foundation. 

Education Access and Quality

Education is a powerful determinant of health. Individuals with higher levels of education often have access to job opportunities that offer higher pay, safer working conditions, and comprehensive health benefits. These advantages contribute to better overall health by enabling individuals to afford nutritious food, quality healthcare, and a stable living environment. Conversely, limited access to education often correlates with lower-paying jobs and a lack of resources, increasing the likelihood of encountering health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and mental health challenges (Healthy People 2030, n.d.b).

We are so grateful to our community partners who help build a stronger, healthier community by offering educational programs and support - from ODC Network Preschools, to the State of Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program, to CDS Lakeshore Head Start, to I Am Academy. With these groups providing critical early childhood education, our team can focus on providing streamlined connection to these resources as we work with guests in the Opportunity Hub.

Health Care Access and Quality

Access to healthcare is crucial for maintaining good health - it provides preventive care, early diagnoses, and effective treatment for both acute and chronic conditions, reducing the risk of complications and improving quality of life. Barriers like high costs, lack of insurance, and transportation challenges often prevent marginalized communities from accessing necessary care (Healthy People 2030, n.d.a; World Health Organization, 2021).


In the Food Club & Opportunity Hub, our team collaborates with community health partners like Corewell Health, miOttawa Department of Public Health, and Molina Healthcare to bring essential health services directly to our neighbors onsite at Food Club. These partnerships ensure that our community members have access to preventive care, health education, and resources, helping them stay healthy and informed.

Safe and Stable Housing

Without safe and stable housing, it becomes increasingly challenging to think about the factors that lead to a healthy life– like building economic stability and accessing healthy food. When people have a safe and secure place to sleep at night, they’re better positioned to take other steps toward improving their quality of life in a sustainable way. Without a question of “Where will I sleep tonight?” in the back of their mind, a person is much more able to put their energy and effort towards decisions and actions that can create a prosperous future.

The population of Ottawa County is growing much faster than the supply of local housing. The current rate of vacancy in our county is just 1%, and a healthy market has a vacancy rate of about 5-6% (United Way, 2021, p. 45). With so few affordable housing options available, the cost of housing increases, and our neighbor’s budgets are stretched beyond the breaking point, forcing them to choose between paying for housing or other basic needs. Our team is working to provide both immediate housing assistance and long-term housing solutions. Through partnerships with Good Samaritan, First United Methodist Church, the Holland Police Department, and Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids, we help individuals and families secure safe, stable housing.

Social and Community Context

When individuals are surrounded by a strong, supportive network— through family, friends, neighbors, or local organizations—they are more likely to experience positive health outcomes. Community support can provide emotional encouragement, reduce stress, and foster a sense of belonging, all of which contribute to better mental and physical health (Berkman & Kawachi, 2000). Communities that actively engage in supporting one another often have greater access to resources like healthcare, nutritious food, and educational opportunities, which are essential for maintaining good health (Marmot & Wilkinson, 2006). In a connected community, people are more likely to help each other navigate challenges, building collective resilience that benefits everyone (World Health Organization, 2021).

Collaborative Care

Our integrated model is intentionally designed to deliver a range of housing, nutrition, and financial services at scale because we know–and research shows–that connected and streamlined support creates better and more lasting outcomes. But, we know that no single organization can provide all the building blocks needed for a healthy community. True, lasting change requires a collaborative approach, where each partner brings their unique strengths and resources to the table. We are proud to work alongside a network of dedicated community partners working across different drivers of health to provide a network of support for our neighbors.


Act with Action House

Nourishing our neighbors takes more than a meal -  it takes the compassion and action of an entire community, ensuring that the building blocks of health are accessible for all of our neighbors. In Ottawa County, over 32,000 neighbors struggle to access the nourishment they need. Our impact is only possible because thousands of our neighbors say “yes” to powering our services. As more and more families turn to us for support, we need neighbors like you to Act with Action House!

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