Agency Descriptions 

Heart of West Michigan United Way www.waybetterunitedway.org - Helping people in the Grand Rapids community care for one another since 1917 – raising/distributing funds for 132 programs and providing board-based community-wide services.  8.2%

            Abundant Life Ministries www.ablm.org  - provides family and youth services for food, clothing, computer training and referrals to medical, dental, legal aid, family counseling, domestic violence, etc.  .1%

Arbor Circle Corporation www.arborcircle.org  - Arbor Circle promotes healthy development by providing quality mental health, substance abuse, prevention and family development for Early Childhood, Youth Development, Family-based and Outpatient services.  14.6%

            Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired  www.abvimichigan.org  - Advances the independence of the visually impaired through low vision exams, rehabilitation training, counseling and support groups; promotes blindness prevention; and offers testing for glaucoma.  15.4%

            Baxter Community Center www.baxtercommunitycenter.org - Baxter serves urban families through childcare, mentoring, clinic, counseling, emergency food/clothing, tax preparation, recreation, financial literacy and enrichment classes – opening doors and building bridges.  19%

            Boy Scouts of America, Gerald R. Ford Council www.bsagrfc.org - To prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. 7.2%

            Camp Blodgett  www.campblodgett.org – Year-round programs incorporating academic achievement, self-esteem and social responsibility to five children of limited means the knowledge, capability and desire to rise out of poverty.  24.9%

            Camp Fire USA, West Michigan Council  www.campfireusawmc.org  – Through after-school and summer programs in urban Grand Rapids, Camp Fire Club, and life-skills programming, helps youth grow into caring, confident youth.  17.2%

            Catholic Social Services, Grand Rapids  www.cssgr.org  – works to stabilize and strengthen families and children through individual and family counseling, pregnancy support, adoption, and child abuse prevention programs.  10.5%

Child and Family Resource Council – the Child and Family Resource Council’s goal is to prevent child abuse and neglect in Kent County by protecting children, supporting families, and strengthening our community.  11.8%

            D.A. Blodgett for Children  www.dablodgett.org  – A child welfare agency transforming the lives of children through adoption, Big Brothers Big Sisters, foster care, clinic services, pregnancy support and in-family counseling.   7.9%

            Dwelling Place of Grand Rapids, Inc.  www.dwellingplacegr.org  – Nonprofit housing development corporation which develops and operates critical transitional and permanent housing for homeless and/or low income persons.  9%

            Family Outreach Center, Inc.  www.familyoutreachcenter.org  – leading the way in promoting healthy family living by reaching out to people of color and those who are low income in our community. 18.3%       

Gerontology Network Services www.michiganseniors.org – Enhances the quality of life and promotes the independence of older adults, their families and caregivers through health maintenance programs, education, consultation, and volunteer programs.  16.18%

Girl Scouts of Michigan Trails  www.gsmt.org  - Provides a varied program to girls ages 5-17.  Activities help girls develop values, increase self-awareness, help with relationships, and contribute to society.  15%

            Grand Rapids Urban League  website - N/A  the Grand Rapids Urban League is a private not-for-profit, community service organization whose vision is to create equity, opportunity, and justice in our community. 4.6%

            HHS, Health Options www.hhs-inc.com – Caregivers struggling to provide care for an adult loved one in Kent County can receive assessment and referral services through the United Way Caregiver Support Program.  8%

            Hispanic Center  www.hcwm.org – Hispanic Center offers interpretation and translation, adult education, youth programming, immigration assistance, English ass a second language, advocacy, legal services and mental health and programs.  14.5%

            Hope Network website – N/A  Enhances the dignity and independence of persons who have a disability and/or disadvantage, through a holistic approach to employment, clinical, residential and transportation services.  7.8%

            Hospice of Michigan www.hom.org  - Ensures quality of life and a comfortable, peaceful death for terminally ill patients regardless of ability to pay, and provides support for their loved ones.  17%

            Kent County Literacy Council www.kentliteracy.org - Provides free one-to-one tutoring for adults who want to improve their reading or English as a Second Language skills and other instructional services.  20.5%

            Kent Regional Community Coordinated Child Care, Inc. (4C) www.4Cchildcare.org – Provides child care referrals and information, consultation on financial assistance for working parents, advocacy for children and families, and training for child care professionals.  8.8%

            Life Guidance Services www.lifeguidanceservices.org – Provides affordable, outpatient mental health and substance use disorders treatment, counseling and education; medication assisted treatment for opioid addiction.  Prevention services for substance abuse.  12.0%

Michigan Migrant Legal Assistant www.mmlap.tripod.com – a non-profit organization established for improving the lives of migrant farmworkers in Michigan.  Provide litigation, education and other advocacy service.  .01%

            North Kent Service Center website N/A – Is an Emergency food pantry, provides clients with assistance in shelter, tax preparation, utility bills, counseling, referrals and medical needs.  4%

            Project Rehab  www.projectrehab.org  – Provides effective treatment of substance abuse disorders through residential and outpatient programs for men, women, Hispanics, and specialty programs for those in transition.  12%

            Proaction Behavioral Health Alliance www.proactionbehavioralhealth.org – Proaction Behavioral Health Alliance is a collection of health organizations that provide prevention and wellness programs, employee assistance programs, counseling, and substance use disorders treatment.  9.30%

            Salvation Army, The www.usc.salvationarmy.org  – provides treatment and assistance services for the following populations – substance abusers, pregnant/parenting young women, homeless persons, vulnerable families and disaster victims.  14%

            Second Harvest Gleaners Food Bank of West Michigan, Inc. www.wmgleaners.org  the Food Bank channels the food industry’s inventory surpluses to 1,125 charity agencies that aid the needy across 40 Michigan counties.  0.5%

            Senior Meals Program, Inc. www.seniormealsonwheels.org – provides and distributes meals to community agencies which serve or deliver them, on a donation basis, to frail and homebound seniors.  11.6%

            Senior Neighbors, Inc. www.seniorneighbors.org - Provides meals, case management, transportation and independence sustaining services for persons age 60+.  We operate several senior centers and sponsor Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.  10.4%

            South End Community Outreach Ministries (SECOM) www.secomministries.org – South End Community Outreach Ministries (SECOM) serves Kent County’s low income residents through the Food Pantry Program, personal/family development programs and health/fitness education.  17%

Thresholds, Inc. www.thresholds-dd.org – serves people with developmental disabilities.  Services include eligibility screening, referral, supports coordination, respite care, in-home support and adult residential living options.  13.9%

            Visiting Nurse Services of Western Michigan www.vnawm.org -  provides home-health, rehabilitation, immunization and hospice care, regardless of their ability to pay.  84% of expenses, patient service.  17.68%

            Women’s Resource Center www.grwrc.org – Career-focused assessments, career planning/exploration, educational resources, guidance on effective job-seeking strategies, employability skill-building, peer support, community resources, and professional clothing.  12.8%

            YMCA www.grymca.org– to put Christian principles into practice through programs (for youth, teens, adults and Seniors) that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.  13.5%

            YWCA www.gr-ywca.org – offers services for domestic violence, sexual assault, child sexual abuse, health fitness programs for families, and empowerment programs for girls.  15%