Grand Rapids Nonprofits and Charities

We were saddened to hear that some of the leadership decisions at the organization were incompatible with our biblical worldview.

This is my first time ever doing this non-profit I am kind of glad that I did because I'm a single mom with six kids and I have a grandson and I tell you this just have been the toughest hardest year for us but God have hell does he have not let us go he's still working with us he still dealing with us he has so much in store for us we have endured so much by thank God for all the trials and tribulations and I could not think each and everyone you enough for the help and the support that you are help people with and do I'm a single mom seeking help from me and my children to better ourselves to get back on our feet

Blodgett was assigned to handle a case of a child who's mother committed suicide, police found a meth lab onsite, a person had OD'd and died just months earlier, and was known for prostitution. The Father had custody, but the family blamed him for the death because he wouldn't take the daughter over to a meth lab for visits. Fast forward, and the dad got in trouble with the law, and the mother's family took the child until he had it all straightened out. Now he is back, fully employed, has a house, and the mother's family is fighting for guardianship. All of the caseworkers are suggesting reunification, but someone higher up at Blodgett has a vendetta and is fighting it. He has had weekly drug screenings for 2 years, left a free place to live so that he had a good place for his child, has done all of the counseling, classes, parenting classes, everything asked of him, and they are still fighting it. Even with dual guardianship, the other people who refuse to talk to the father, don't think he child needs the medications 3 doctors think are needed, they feel it is good for a kid to have "Plenty of TV and video game time" and complain that the child is getting too much homework at 2 hours a week.<br><br>Blodgett has no reason to keep this child away from their father, and is making a mockery of the courts by delaying and postponing so that the judge is now saying he is moving towards guardianship, against 2 of their own caseworkers opinions, because it has taken too long, which is 100% caused by the court appointed attorney for the child and specifically Blodgett. The latest is that the Attorney is claiming the case workers didn't submit the proper paperwork in timely manners, which to me is Blodgett not training or informing their caseoworkers of their requirements.

Wedgwood is an amazing organization! I have had a chance to learn in detail all the services they offer to the community and am fully supportive of their programming. The company I work for is also a supporter of Wedgwood!

I appreciate the CNA! I've been to several of their events, participate in the community garden, and pick up fresh fruit and veggies weekly thanks to their partnership with thr West Michigan FarmLink.

It's REALLY, REALLY difficult to achieve housing and any other goals while staying at Mel trotter. <br> <br> Most of your time is consumed by navigating their red tape, and trying to abide by their extremely draconian rules. <br><br> It's micro management at it's finest by serious (nice car drivin') bible thumpers who pay themselves six figure salaries from government funding and donations. <br><br> How many people could you put into an apartment with that kind of money?<br><br> Prohibited items: 99.99% OF EVERYTHING YOU HAVE is not allowed in the shelter!!!!! No outside food, no electronics including cell phones, no Tobacco products of any kind, and you can't keep your own clothes at night. Yes, even the clothing on your back is prohibited during sleeping hours. You are required to wear their pj's. <br><br>How do you expect people to get a job or access resources if they can't posses a cell phone? <br><br>Although quitting smoking isn't such a bad idea; Nicotine withdrawal turns people from Dr. Jekyll into Mr Hyde. So you get a bunch of people that are in the lowest part of their lives whom are now extremely irritated, jittery and on edge and you mix them in a smelly room with like individuals. Im sure there are people out there who would pay money to watch this. <br><br> The rules are so restrictive you're guaranteed to get kicked out at least once for something stupid. Like not going to bible study. (It wouldn't surprise me if this is actually a rule.) <br><br><br><br>

I am the mother of two children who received home based ABA services through Hope Network located through the East Lansing, Michigan center from 2019 through May 2023. My youngest has Cerebral Palsy/ASD/Epilepsy and is immune compromised because of Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia so we needed someone competent and aware of her issues. She also frequently has major GI issues and sleep issues because of spacicity causing her hip to dislocate. We would usually have sessions 85% of the time but gave plenty of notice if needed to cancel. They knew of these issues beforehand and agreed to still work with us.. Attendance compliance needed to be met 75% of the time per month which we were in compliance with after receiving 2 attendance letters. Most recently after having another tech leave they were going to use a male replacement who had never even been trained on my daughter (Each new tech is trained by another tech beforehand) No one from the center informed me of this change,, I found out from our 22yr old tech that was leaving.. This is someone who is alone with my child, in my home, for several hours per day, several days per week, there needs to be a level of security and feeling like my child is in safe hands.. EVERY tech we have had is under 23yrs old.. I wasn't comfortable with having a young male tech with my immobile,, non verbal child and told the BCBA, the next day I received a discharge letter saying I was in non compliance for attendance, mind you,, we only missed ONE of my daughter's sessions for the month! That is WAY under the 25% attendance allowance for the month. I received the letter May 12 which is in the middle of the month so it shouldn't even have been calculated yet according to their handbook. But since I didn't want a male technician and they are WAY understaffed, it was easier for them to stop services than put her therapies on hold until they hired someone. Totally unacceptable. I have numerous complaints on how they run that center and have worked with them since they first opened.. We went through at least 20 different behavior techs, 4 BCBA's with only 2 of them being completely wonderful. I even went to virtual parent training during the pandemic and wouldn't complain when techs wouldn't show up.. I overheard one technician being verbally rude to my son one day, the same one I would catch on her phone the majority of the time I would check on my daughter but would be perfect in front of me.. my son had a hard time recognizing when someone is treating him bad and I got to the bottom of it and she was quickly replaced. The BCBA even told me she couldn't think of any other help they could offer my son,, even though he JUST learned to tie his shoes and couldn't recognize his numbers or remember his address until recently. THAT IS HER JOB! All in all, I would not recommend the East Lansing Hope Network, they are understaffed and incompetent.

Quite often spouses don’t get the help or guidance they need after retirement. I’ve gone years figuring things out on my own. The Pillar Foundation is there to help! Teressa is a wealth of knowledge. The Pillar Foundation is there to provide resources so spouses don’t have to feel lost or alone after retirement.

KCMSA is an organization in West Michigan made up of of the spouses and partners of area physicians (including medical students, residents, fellows and interns). We support one another and also do philanthropy in our community. Our Foundation provides charitable grants to local nonprofits that help address the health needs of our community.

A practitioner and The Fountain Hill Center continually put my family at risk. Her approach was cold, uninformed, victim-blaming and dangerous. I individually explained the past and she ignored obvious red flags. Despite convictions for domestic and gun violence and a prison sentence, this counselor t ignored all of my exes past and current behavior and seemed to be charmed by his manipulation. She enabled our abuse. Even after exhibiting dangerous behavior she tried to dismiss my child’s first-hand experience and concerns. At one point after physical abuse had occurred she tried to force my child to get on a plane even after she disclosed physical abuse to staff. Fountain Hill Center staff are mandated reporters, she made no report and did not inform the court or judge. This staff member allowed every parent coordination session for 7 years to be an opportunity for manipulation by my ex and to be transactional. She is not safe nor responsible practitioner. We used Fountain Hill Center after my ex was paroled from prison in 2011 until 2019 when CPS finally imposed a no-contact. No one from FHC aided us in getting this safety, despite spending thousands, multiple scary and unsafe behavior by my ex and utilizing the services of 5-6 professionals over that 8 years.

The LHSWM was organized as an all voluntary effort to raise money to build a stunning work of public art, the "Spirit of Solidarity National Immigrant and Labor Monument." Organized in 1999, it raised a stunning $1.2 million, taking 15 years. SOS is located adjacent to the Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, MI. City Mayor George Heartwell dedicated the bronze sculpture and fountain on April 19, 2007 on the 97th anniversary of the Great Grand Rapids Furniture Strike of 1911 before a large audience at the workday morning event. Esteemed guests included Owen Bieber, UAW Emeritus president, a representative of President Ford, Roberto Chenlo, Argentine born sculptor and former G.R. furniture worker, Jay Egan, President of CWA Local 4034 and Director of the Monument Committee, Michael Johnston founder of the Labor Heritage Society of West Michigan, and several others. The monument was erected to remember the courage and solidarity of the four main immigrant groups that shaped the city. The entire fund raising process was almost entirely done by volunteers. Expenses were limited to actual site design, Progressive AE, (who won a national award for it) construction, travel expenses of voluntary fund raisers, publicity and professional advisor fees. An outstanding organization of dedicated, motivated folks. No full time staff at any time. Wise use of donor money. Less than 2% in administrative cost. Role model for other non-profits.

We have three kids attending Northpointe Christian and we couldn't be happier with our experience. We love how intentional and invested everyone (staff, teachers, coaches, etc) is in our kids' education, personal development and faith journey. We highly recommended NPC.

Youth for Christ was instrumental in my walk as a teenager- I personally have seen how this organization has positively effected lives of thousands of teens throughout the 18 years I have been associated with it.

Land Conservancy of West Michigan is an accredited land trust. Accreditation means Land Conservancy of West Michigan meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Land Conservancy of West Michigan has demonstrated to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission its commitment to excellence. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate their commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. Learn More: http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/about.

I have participated in the Mental Health Foundation's Annual Art Auction, "Shining Through" for the past five years, and has been a wonderful opportunity to display my artwork and photography for either the silent or live Auctions. For each piece of artwork that makes profit, the Artist receives 51% of what their piece sells for and then the Mental Health Foundation receives the other 49% to help educate middle and high school students and educators about mental health and the stigma attached to mental illnesses. I have been most fortunate to work with the Mental Health Foundation of W. MI. employees and their Volunteers each year and also working with their Annual "Stomp Out Stigma" Walk. What a Great group of people to work with, and always have SMILES on their faces!

Set Free Ministries does freedom ministry using the Steps to Freedom in Christ. This is a Biblical process of dealing with life issues and learning the tools to life a victorious life. Set Free has helped many people learn to follow Christ and live life to the fullest.

Loved their client service - We were host parent and it was an amazing experience!

This school helps provide a top notch first educational experience to the families it serves. Through community partnerships they help children who aren't eligible for free programs go to kindergarten ready to learn.

My daughter spent 10 days in the NICU at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital due to being born with Spina Bifida. The work March is Dimes does in West Michigan to raise funds to educate parents, prevent birth defects, and support families is second to none! As a motorcycle enthusiast, the Bikers for Babies event each year is a must attend. I have volunteered and found it to be an awe inspiring day. Do not hesitate to donate to this awesome charity.

I cannot believe they took my disability case. Allegan Mental Health was a big help.

House of Grace Ministries is a non-denominational organization dedicated to supporting and ministering to missionary work, missions trips, drug-rehab ministries, martial arts outreach ministries, and food pantries. As a house as many rooms, so also House of Grace Ministries has a multifaceted vision of outreach and ministry. It's founder, Philip Lewis, served as a missionary to Northeast Brazil for many years, working and ministering to poor through English classes, free karate classes, food baskets, Bible teaching and preaching, counseling, and medical help.

The Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation is a single purpose Foundation with the goal of building and maintaining an endowment fund to support the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. The Foundation’s support is significant to the Gardens and its Board is truly dedicated to assuring that gifts to the Foundation ‘grow and bloom forever’ to allow an increase in the amount of support provided the Gardens. Gifts to the endowment are a way for donors to leave a legacy and are essential for meeting the needs of the Gardens. I am honored to serve as the Executive Director of the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Foundation under the leadership of its Board of Directors. <br> <br>Susanne T. Veeneman <br>

I took part in the Learn to Row Day at Grand Rapids Rowing's boathouse in June 2011. The coaches there were so helpful and knowledgeable, and I really had a great time! I went on to take a Learn to Row class with them, and while i eventually decided that I'm just not cut out for rowing, i really enjoyed my time with them.

My local Myasthenia Gravis organization immediately put me in contact with one of its "listening ear" volunteers. It turned out the volunteer also had MG, was close to me in age, and lived only 5 minutes away! This wonderful woman had an arsenal of practical tips to help me cointinue to live my life and do the things that were important to me, even though a rocky first couple of years with the disease. The MGFA-Great Lakes Chapter performs extraordinary outreach! Truly above and beyond for people with MG and their families!!

Dear Brother/Sister in Christ: <br> <br>I have great pleasure in greeting you in the powerful name of Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. <br> <br>I am so thankful to you for accepting the invitation to become a sponsor of the Pearl Orphan's Society. Thank you also for your offer of help. <br> <br> <br> <br>The state AP is home to 50 million people, consisting of 30 districts, where 65% of the people are poor and illiterate. Every 30 seconds a child dies from hunger related. Causes while thousands of children around the state have no place to call home. <br> <br>The "Pearls…" a Christian Home to care for orphaned, Semi-orphaned, poor, needy and destitute children, offers you and an opportunity to teach the life of children in Andhra Pradesh who desperately need your help. Some where in the state a little girl is hungry… a tiny infant shudders in pain… suffering with a disease that could have seen Prevented a little boy wonders why his mother and father have disappeared. Hundreds of children around the state suffer hardship, hunger and diseases. They endure unimaginable living conditions without any hope of a better future. Even worse many of these children will never be able to hear that Jesus loves and cares for them. <br> <br>If orphans are not taken in they may be taken to the house of rich people and made to work as slaves, in their houses. Even worse, people may take their eyes and kidneys and sell them for medical purposes. These orphans may resort to selling drugs or prostitution for survival. They may beg in the streets, and if they don't get enough food, they will die. <br> <br>But we believe God can use to make difference in the lives of orphans and other needy children. In the face of these great needs, you can help and give better hope to them. Reach out in love to these needy children as they wait for your compassionate response. Please say "Yes" and give help and hope to these precious little ones for the glory of God. <br> <br>We feel that children are a vital part of the great commission and we must invest in the lives of those who need it so much. We assure you that your help and love will help us to reach these children and win them for Jesus. One day surely these children will be the future leaders testifying about the lord before many. Please pray, consider, and help and save the needy children of Andhra. Thank you so much for your prayerful consideration of being a part of this great challenge in helping children. <br> <br>Monthly sponsorship $25 per child. This will cover their living expenses including food, clothes, education and medical expenses. You may request a particular child or, if you prefer, we will assign one to you. <br> <br>You will receive a photograph of the child you sponsor with details about him/her you may write letters to your child and we translate it for you and give it to your child. Your child write you three times for year. <br> <br>