1 in 10 PEOPLE
across Kent county are SERVED by UNITED WAY FUNDED PROGRAMS
2022–23 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT
In this year’s annual report, we recognize and celebrate the outcomes of your investment as they reflect the past three years of real work with real impact.
This is only possible because of our generous donors and volunteers across West Michigan, and we look forward to continuing our progress toward reducing poverty and improving the lives of our neighbors.
family stability
Ensuring more families have access to housing, food, and mental/behavioral health and family support services.
INVESTMENT: $1,982,000
82% of households maintained stable/permanent housing for 12+ months.
97% of parents increased their understanding of social-emotional interventions for their child and/or child neglect/abuse prevention.
92% of people increased access to fresh foods.
2020–23 Family Stability Programs:
Arbor Circle: The Bridge and North County Family Skills and Stability
A.Y.A. Youth Collective: Comprehensive Health Initiative for Homeless Youth
Cherry Health: Family Stability Through Integrated Behavioral Health
Community Food Club: The Food Club
Community Rebuilders: HOME City and County Program
Court Appointed Special Advocates of Kent County: CASA Volunteer Advocacy
D.A. Blodgett–St. John’s:
Adoptive Family Support Network and Family Preservation Services
Dwelling Place: Housing Support Services
Family Outreach Center: Seeking Safety for Young African American Males Impacted by Violence
Family Promise of Grand Rapids and Mel Trotter Ministries: Pathway Home
Genesis Non-Profit Housing Corporation: Resident Support Services
Habitat for Humanity of Kent County: Homeownership Program
ICCF Community Homes: IDAs to Support Low-Income Homeownership
Kids’ Food Basket: Nourishing Communities Program
Legal Aid of Western Michigan: Legal Representation for Tenants Project and Legal Services for Family Crisis
Meals on Wheels Western Michigan: Home-Delivered Meals Program
Migrant Legal Aid: Ensuring Safe Housing for Migrant Workers and Migrants Overcoming Violent Environments
North Kent Connect:
The Farm Stand and Mobile Farm Market
The Other Way Ministries: Market Co-Op
Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services: Street Reach and SOAR Services
The Refugee Education Center: Refugee Family Engagement
SECOM Resource Center: Culture of Health
The Salvation Army Social Services of Kent County: Housing Assessment Program
Senior Neighbors: Senior Congregate Meals
United Church Outreach Ministry: Eat Healthy, Live Healthy
Urban League of West Michigan: Center for Housing and Community Development
YWCA West Central Michigan: Domestic Violence Emergency & Transitional Housing and Domestic & Sexual Violence Comprehensive Services
economic mobility
Ensuring more adults and youth have opportunities for employment, training, and transportation.
INVESTMENT: $706,500
94% of individuals improved economic stability through employment, educational training, and/or job transportation.
96% of participants successfully completed their job/career training program.
$5,045,044 returned to the community through the Kent Count Tax Credit Coalition’s Tax Preparation Services.
2020–23 financial security Programs:
Asian Community Outreach: Connecting Communities
Bethany Christian Services–Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation: Career Success Project
Disability Advocates of Kent County: Workforce Development Services for Persons with Disabilities
Goodwill Industries of Greater Grand Rapids: Certified Nurse Aide Training Program
Kent County Tax Credit Coalition: Tax Preparation and Financial Literacy
Literacy Center of West Michigan: Customized Workplace English
Our Community’s Children: To College, Through College–T2C Studio
Steepletown Neighborhood Services: GED Program
West Michigan Center for Arts & Technology: Adult Career Training Program
Women’s Resource Center: Empower Program
EDUCATION
Ensuring more middle school students have the support they need to learn and succeed.
INVESTMENT: $418,500
88% of students improved grades in STEM subjects.
95% of students improved social-emotional knowledge and/or communication skills.
43 teachers/professional staff trained to provide quality science and math education.
2020–23 EDUCATION Programs:
Camp Blodgett: STEM Programs
Hope Network: Michigan Math Corps
The Refugee Education Center: Project Faulu
Our Community’s Children: The Expanded Learning Opportunities Network’s STEAM Ahead
Urban League of West Michigan: Youth Development Program
West Michigan Center for Arts & Technology: Full STEAM Ahead
internal programming
2-1-1
CALL CENTER
97,000 total calls connecting Michiganders to thousands of services in our community.
KENT COUNTY TAX
CREDIT COALITION
$990,202 in Earned Income Tax Credits returned to taxpayers in our community
VOLUNTEER
CENTER
2,846 volunteers and 17,583 volunteer hours organized by our Volunteer Center
2022–23 COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT
annual campaign awards
campaign of the year
Miller Johnson
TOP AGENCY
• Mel Trotter Ministries
• DA Blodgett–St. Johns
• Disability Advocates of Kent County
ADVOCATE AWARD
• Tim Tierney
BIG HEART AWARD
• Berger Chevrolet
• GR Label
• Kenowa High School
CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
• Steelcase
• ASCET
CAMPAIGN COORDINATOR
• Jenin Shamali
• Ian Gibson
NEWLY UNITED
• Rehmann
• Gazelle Sports
CORPORATE VOLUNTEER PARTNER
• ITW Dahti
• Crowe LLP
TOP EMPLOYEE CAMPAIGN
• Mercantile Bank of Michigan
• Trinity Health
• Huntington Bank
• Hylant
• Consumers Energy
• Meijer
TOP CORPORATE SUPPORT
• Flexco
• SpartanNash
• Wolverine Worldwide
sponsorships
KENT COUNTY TAX
CREDIT COALITION (KCTCC)
First Merchants
OPERATION UNITED
Fifth Third Bank
Peter & Joan Secchia Family Foundation
Meijer
JP Morgan Chase & Company
BDO USA, LLP - Downtown
Comfort Research
STUFF THE SLED
Flexco
TEE IT UP FOR SUCCESS GOLF OUTING
Berger Chevrolet
Mercantile Bank of Michigan
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
West Michigan Community Bank
Robert Muussee Builders
Adecco General Staffing
Wolverine Worldwide
Members First Credit Union
closing out the 2020–23 grant cycle
With this report, we mark the end of our 2020-2023 funding cycle. Our funding during these three-year grant cycles addresses critical community needs, promotes positive social change, and enhances the overall well-being of residents in our area.
Cumulatively, across these last three years, we’ve made great progress toward a thriving community. Together, let’s reflect on the impact we’ve made since 2020:
84% of households maintained stable and/or permanent housing for 12+ months.
96% of participants successfully completed their career/job training program.
90% of students improved school grades in STEM subjects.
