News & Events

“Did you ever think you would make a movie?” asked the Artsplace’s Lindsay Isenhart as she helped a teenager with her latest art project at the pottery wheel. The young woman shook her head and then described the short stop-motion animation film she helped to create over the summer.

“I’m excited about coming here every week,” she said.

The teen is part of an innovative program called Positive Impact Through the Arts—or PITA—that gives young people in the court system a chance to be creative, build skills, and head in a new direction.

Funded in part by a grant from the Community Foundation, PITA is a collaboration between the Newaygo County Council for the Arts and Newaygo County Juvenile Services. Participants range from first-time offenders in diversion programs to those in intensive probation. As part of their probation plan, they attend classes at the Artsplace and learn how to work with clay, make glass beads and jewelry, and more.

The classes also feature opportunities to learn about patience and persistence, safety and planning. While they create, students build social skills, self-esteem, and positive relationships with the adults who lead the program.

“Sometimes this is their only opportunity for socialization,” said Brenden Ruser, probation officer. “They get to be themselves without judgment here. They realize they’re good at this.”

“They can feel really positive about what they’re doing,” added Marianne Boerigter, NCCA executive director. She said that some PITA students even begin volunteering at the Artsplace. “The most unlikely kids will come in early to help Lindsay set up. They’re having a positive experience with adults; there’s consistency. They’re becoming part of the community in a positive way.”

At a recent Circles Newaygo County meeting, Shirley spoke up about the challenges of finding housing. A few days later she was surprised to learn that community leaders were already working on ways to address concerns she had raised.

“I always doubted that people would actually help,” admitted Shirley. “To actually know that people care gave me hope—a secure hope.”

Shirley is a Circle Leader—the title given to participants leading their own journeys into self-sufficiency. Circles uses a relationship-based approach that builds networks of support around families as they move out of poverty.

“It’s not a rescue program,” said Michelle Marciniak, Circles coordinator at TrueNorth Community Services. “We show you the resources that are out there, but it’s up to you what you do with those resources.”

Circle Leaders go through an intensive 12-week training and then begin personal development work. They are paired with volunteers called Allies who serve as mentors and encouragers.

“So many people who are struggling are so isolated,” said Paige Greve, Circles coach at TrueNorth. “They don’t have those cheerleaders.”

“Being an Ally is not you changing the person,” added Michelle. “You’re really just being a friend.”

Other volunteers provide childcare and meals for weekly meetings and serve on resource teams. Their support and the hard work of Leaders is already yielding results. Circle Leaders have celebrated milestones like receiving driver’s licenses, reliable cars, and new jobs. All have paid down debt. Many, like Shirley, have been empowered to speak up about their struggles and ideas.

“Small steps at a time are changing things,” said Shirley. “And I know I’m not in it alone.”

After a divorce, Ann found herself struggling to pick up the pieces. She got her diploma and found a job, but she didn’t have a car to get there.

“It was hard keeping the faith and believing that things would get better,” she said.

But recently Ann got a call from Sheri Byers of Classis Muskegon Ministries and its Fremont Service Committee’s car ministry. Ann’s application had been approved, she had gone through all the steps, and now there was a car waiting for her.

“I just cried,” said Ann. “I can’t tell you how much of a relief this is and the pressure it takes off my shoulders.”

For more than 20 years, the car ministry has provided quality used cars and repairs to people who need them to get to work.

“We do this because we feel like it’s a calling,” said Sheri. “People here are working hard and trying to get by. We feel it’s our responsibility to help.”

The service committee is made up of 12 dedicated volunteers from several local Christian Reformed churches. They meet monthly to carefully review applications. The ministry also partners with a variety of local agencies, mechanics, and auto body shops. Financial support comes from the Christian Reformed Church, local congregations, and the Community Foundation.

These partnerships all combine to offer more Newaygo County residents self-sufficiency and the opportunity to build a better life.

“I’m so glad there’s an organization like this with people who care,” said Ann, looking at the car that had just become hers. “I’m just so grateful.”

For more information about the car ministry or to complete an application, contact TrueNorth at 231.924.0641.

The idea started with a need close to home. Susan Reagan loved to kayak, but mobility issues threatened to keep her on shore.

Realizing that she was one of many for whom climbing into a bobbing kayak wasn’t safe or possible, she began looking for a solution. She and her husband Michael, Bridgeton Township’s supervisor, gathered a diverse group of partners who rallied around a central cause.

“It all came back to not just getting people to the water, but getting them on the water,” said Susan.

Research led them to an accessible dock system featuring sliding transfer benches, launch rollers, and railings that allow anyone to safely go from the dock to their kayak or canoe and into the water. Thanks to persistence and community support, including a grant from the Amazing X Charitable Trust, the docks are now in place at the Maple Island and Bridgeton launches on the Muskegon River.

“What made it successful was the local support,” said Michael. “Not many places have barrier-free entry and exit points on the river.”

In addition to allowing more people with mobility challenges to enjoy the river, the project has had other positive effects. Property owner Bruce Nelson—who remembers Charlton Heston coming to fish on the Muskegon—has noticed people making more of an effort to clean up along the river. Susan said the docks are also popular with families who can now load children and supplies into a canoe without fear that it will tip or float away.

“The whole idea is that everyone gets to use it now,” Susan said. “Accessibility means addressing whatever is keeping you on shore.”

When a Hesperia teacher asked her class to share what they were thankful for, one student wrote two little words that spoke of a big impact: “to see!”

Several weeks before, the student had been one of more than 40 from Hesperia and Fremont to participate in Students in Need of Eyecare (SINE). Through SINE, referred children received free comprehensive eye exams from optometry students in Ferris State University’s Michigan College of Optometry. Any child who needed glasses was also able to choose frames and have them specially fitted.

SINE was developed by Dr. Sarah Hinkley, professor and chief of vision rehabilitation services at the Michigan College of Optometry, to address the number of local children who weren’t receiving eye care services due to factors like cost, lack of access, and difficulty ensuring that parents followed up on school vision screenings.

“We started brainstorming ideas for how to meet those needs and how to connect my students with a service learning opportunity,” said Sarah. “It has been an overwhelmingly positive experience.”

The program soon caught the attention of the Fremont Lions Club. They contacted Sarah and enlisted the help of partners including Fremont and Hesperia schools and the City of Fremont to bring SINE to Newaygo County. The Community Foundation supported the project with an $18,957 grant.

“Many people contributed,” said Steve Adsmond, president of the Lions Club at the time. “It was a true community project. We wanted to help kids learn at their full potential.”

Photo courtesy of Ferris State University

Not long ago the home of the Grant Farmers Market was just an empty lot with a few patches of grass, uneven gravel that trapped rain in deep ruts, and the remnants of an old shop’s foundation. But with plenty of vision and hard work, a dedicated community gave the vacant property a new purpose and a role to play in the city’s future.

The redevelopment project, supported in part by a grant from the Community Foundation, provides Grant with a venue for its own farmers market and expands local access to fresh, healthy food.

“Agriculture is one of the major industries in the state,” noted Ryan Rudzis, Grant city manager. “We can be an even bigger part of that and it will keep more money local.”

The project also addressed a need for increased public parking and green space in the downtown area. Connected to the neighboring Water Tower Park between M-37 and Front Street, the project added grassy areas, plants, and new picnic tables. The remainder of the space was outfitted with new gravel and a drainage system to provide plenty of safe, convenient parking.

“What makes this unique is that we were able to take a piece of property that hadn’t been used in years and turn it into this,” said Ryan. “Something like this encourages people to take pride in their community and we hope that catches on.”

Signs of faithful volunteers are everywhere at Alpha Family Center. Colorful baby clothes have been carefully sorted behind the scenes and are now neatly displayed in the lobby. There’s the friendly face at the reception desk and a mentor meeting with a client around the corner.

“Volunteers drive our organization,” said Debbie Lamos, Executive Director. “We operate very locally and look to the community for resources. People think we use volunteers to save money, but that’s not the case. We use volunteers because it’s all about the community helping the community.”

The dedication and warmth of the staff and volunteers at Alpha Family Center can be a lifeline for clients seeking a beginning level of healing from sexual abuse or trauma or who are overwhelmed by an unplanned or crisis pregnancy.

Nicole Mollett’s volunteer mentor not only supported her throughout a difficult pregnancy but also continues to work with her on parenting classes.

Through a program supported in part by a grant from the Community Foundation, Nicole can earn “Alpha bucks” as she works with her mentor. She can spend them on items like the baby clothes sorted each Tuesday by volunteers.

“I thank God for Alpha every day,” Nicole said. “The people are genuine, and you know they’re here because they care.”

Experiences like Nicole’s are exactly why Rachel Bonga has been a mentor for 14 years.

“There is such a need in our community,” said Rachel. “I just want to show our clients that I care about them and that there is hope for their future.”

Two years ago, Mistie Wolfenbarger reached a turning point. She wanted a better future for her family, but she had no support and had never been taught about finances. The challenges seemed overwhelming. “Sometimes you feel like you can’t get better,” said Mistie.

She found her way to Love INC and shared her story with Laurie Plakmeyer, Relational Ministry Coordinator. The care and acceptance she found was 
the first step in what has become a transformative journey.

Mistie enrolled in Growing Hope, Love INC’s financial management and personal growth program. Funded in part by a Community Foundation grant, Growing Hope empowers participants to take positive steps toward self-sufficiency, to build skills, and to cultivate supportive relationships.

Mistie chose from a variety of personal growth classes on topics such as parenting and cooking on a budget. She also worked through the program’s 14-week financial management classes where she learned to track spending, establish a budget, and build savings. There were weekly homework assignments and mentors to provide accountability and support.

Nearing graduation from Growing Hope, Mistie can see its impact in almost every area of her life.

“I’m a better mother now,” she said. “I’m paying more attention to our finances, so I’m not as stressed.”

“It’s hard at first,” she admitted. “But when you let down your walls, you learn there are people who do care. It has been pretty life changing.”