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GIVING FOR GOOD

PARENTS AS TEACHERS UPDATE

FLOOD RELIEF TASK FORCE UPDATE

GOOD SAM PHOTO GALLERY

NEWSLETTERS

ANNUAL REPORT

STUDY CONFIRMS POWERFUL IMPACT OF MENTORING ON FAMILIES

"He left here crying.  He was SO thankful to have a place to sleep tonight.  He asked me, as if to confirm that this place was really his, if he would get arrested for sleeping in this apartment tonight.  He had the key in his hand and the signed lease in his folder – 'No, I said, the place is yours.'  'I can stretch out my legs and lay flat. I can take a shower again. I can now be clean and go out and get a job again,' he said.  'Thank you!'
He has been sleeping in his van for at least two weeks now.  His two middle school daughters have been staying with friends after they were evicted from their home.  He has worked at various metal fabricating and carpentry jobs for years.  But, over the last year he has been limited to short term work and  unemployment resulting in their homelessness.
Just wanted to share with you how the work you all do does make a difference when we put the whole team effort together to serve folks struggling with homelessness. -- Debra W., Housing Director

"I just want to know where home is.  I want stability.  I want my boys to know they have a home and that it will be there tomorrow."

- CHP Applicant & Mother of 4

Community Housing Partnership

A RESIDENT'S STORY

Anna has been a participant of CHP for almost two years, but her quest  for stable housing began long before that.  Anna's housing troubles started a few years ago when she was living with her boyfriend.  They were repeatedly behind on their rent and had been evicted three times.  She had gone to the mission once for a month, but then went bakc to the same routine.

Eventually, Anna ended up back at the mission, this time with two kids.  That's when she knew she needed to do something to get back on track.  "The first time I was at the mission, I had heard people talking about the Community Housing Partnership and how they were going to get help with housing."  After her second stay at the mission, Anna decided to give CHP a try.

"It's great to have a case manager who helps me with my budget and holds me accountable with my money and planning," says Anna.  Her case manager check up on her to make sure everything is still going well.  "It's what I needed," states Anna.

Anna has learned a lot from being in the program.  CHP has given her someone to walk with her and provide her with tools to help her succeed.  Anna will graduate in two months and move into stable housing with Section Eight rental assistance.

WHAT WE DO:

The Community Housing Partnership (CHP) works to prevent and end homelessness in the Holland/Zeeland community.  It gives people a new start and a caring support system to move from homelessness and instability to safe and affordable housing.  A housing transition includes gaining employment and income, transportation, social and family support, education, medical and mental health support and spiritual support.  Transitions are accomplished through case management, home maintenance education, life skills education, mentoring rent and utilities adjusted for income and referrals to different community support services. 

HOW WE PARTNER:

CHP is a cooperative program between Good Samaritan Ministries, Community Action House and area churches.  (See list below.)

Good Samaritan Ministries provides oversight of properties, support for church mentoring volunteers, and home maintenance education.  The Community Action House offers case management and life skills education.  Area churches supply many of the properties themselves along with volunteer mentors and volunteers who prepare the homes for residents to move into.

Residents can apply for housing assistance through CHP if they are considered homeless based on MSHDA definitions.  They must be staying in a shelter, other transitional housing program or on the streets.  Applicants are interviewed by the CHP staff for entrance into the program.

PARTNER CHURCHES  
Calvary CRC
Central Park Reformed
Christ Memorial
Engedi
Zeeland Free Methodist
First Presbyterian
First Reformed ¨C Holland
Grace Episcopal
Hope Church
North Holland Reformed
North Street CRC
Providence CRC
Second Reformed ¨C Zeeland
Third Reformed
Victory Point
Without Walls Vineyard

TO BECOME A PARTNER CHURCH
Contact Debra Wilson, CHP Housing Director.

 

This page funded by a grant from the AT&T Foundation.