Fremont Area Community Foundation hosted its annual Spring Donors Luncheon at the Stone Lodge in Fremont on May 21. Nearly 90 people attended the luncheon and heard from Love INC and Hope 101 about the ways they are addressing housing insecurity in Newaygo County.
“Love INC and Hope 101 are long-time partners of ours,” said Shelly Kasprzycki, president and CEO of the Community Foundation, in her introduction. “We really admire their work.”
Traci Slager, executive director of Love INC of Newaygo County, spoke about their new gap ministry, Rooms of Refuge. Local church partners take turns providing overnight accommodation and an evening meal for people in need of emergency housing. In the morning, Love INC provides transportation to their day center where people can do laundry, cook, use a computer, store belongings, and more.
“We knew we had to step in and do something,” said Slager of the high rates of housing insecurity in Newaygo County. “And we could start with emergency housing. We come alongside those wanting to take the next steps. We’re helping them work toward self-sufficiency and flourishing.”
Love INC also partners with Hope 101, which was started in 2017 to provide structured transitional housing. Hope 101’s Executive Director Julie Vitale spoke to luncheon guests about their program and shared that the ministry now has 10 housing units.
“Through our partnership with the Community Foundation we have been able to grow exponentially,” said Vitale. “None of this is possible without your generous contributions and without the Community Foundation consistently looking for synergies.”
The final luncheon speaker was Karen Nottelmann, one of the founders of Hope 101. She shared how the organization began with a women’s Bible study group at a local church. Three of the women in the group needed housing, and Karen was struck by the fact that just across the street from their meeting space was a house for sale. The organization grew out of that moment and from the generosity of local people who contributed funds, time, skill, labor, and even property.
“Some can give a lot and some can give a little,” said Nottelmann. “And together, we make a difference.”
