Pine Rest’s StreetReach and SOAR programs builds relationships with chronically homeless individuals struggling with mental illness, helping them apply for Social Security and get into permanent housing.

On Veterans Day, the Volunteer Center raised $1,500, triple its $500 goal. The contributions will be enough to cover the cost of three service projects at the homes of local veterans during Operation United.

Video: 2-1-1 Cybercrime Victim Support Specialist Ruthie Paulson shared a story about a woman who called to report a scam. “We were able to help her report this to the FBI, but then we also gave her some tips for how to recover after the scam had taken place.”

Jasmine was living in a homeless shelter, working temp jobs to support herself and her twin boys. A group of United Way partner agencies, including WMCAT and Habitat for Humanity of Kent County, helped her launch her career and become a homeowner. Jasmine's story is a powerful illustration of the impact we can make when United Way donors and partner agencies work together to empower people in our community.

When James was younger, his mom worked several jobs to support the family, leaving James to juggle the demands of school and the care of his younger siblings. After high school he worked as a home health aide. While it was far from his dream job, James worked hard, volunteering for extra shifts, filling in for coworkers, taking on extra duties – largely so he could support his siblings. But James also had bigger dreams.

Joseph and his family arrived in Grand Rapids from the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2018. As the school year approached, he began attending the summer literacy program at the Refugee Education Center, one of Heart of West Michigan United Way’s partner agencies.

Ann’s sense of purpose and belonging have been restored. Recently, she remarked, “I feel alive and happy.”

How do you get fourth and fifth graders excited about math? For AmeriCorps member Dan Graham, you start with mechanical pencils and fun-size candy bars.

How do you help middle schoolers develop a love of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), especially those who come from difficult backgrounds and under-resourced schools in and around Grand Rapids? Camp Blodgett’s answer: Take them outside.

“Doing a tax return’s like doing a story problem, and how much fun is that?”

In January, Heart of West Michigan United Way’s Young Leaders Society announced they would be awarding a $10,000 “pop-up” grant to Migrant Legal Aid. The grant will be used to create a program whose goal is to increase trust and open communication between the migrant worker community and law enforcement in Kent County. YLS members share their thoughts on the grant allocation process and why this issue spoke to them.

When arctic temperatures and relentless snowfall plunged Michigan into a deep freeze this week, our 211 team continued to report to work, taking calls from people across the state who needed help.

A group of United Way partner agencies worked together to give Anna Cater the confidence to realize her potential and land her dream job.