Tag Archives: nonprofit

Youth aging out of foster care now have independent living option through D.A. Blodgett-St. John’s

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Aerial view of ILP home (Courtesy, DABSJ)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Mary Muliett, DABSJ President and CEO (Courtesy, DABSJ)

Leading provider of child welfare and human services in West Michigan, D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s (DABSJ), has launched a distinctive Independent Living Plus (ILP) program. ILP is a transformative initiative designed specifically for youth aging out of foster care.

This program, situated on the DABSJ campus, aims to provide a safety net and specialized assistance to address the youth’s unique challenges.

“Youth aging out of foster care without a guardian or adoptive parent are embarking on adulthood without the supportive network many of us are fortunate to have had,” said Mary Muliett, DABSJ President and CEO. “It’s a vulnerable position that requires specialized support, and that’s exactly what our Independent Living Plus program aims to provide.”

Research has consistently shown that youth aging out of foster care face heightened risks, including homelessness, human trafficking, and incarceration. This is an alarming phenomenon known as the foster-care-to-prison pipeline.

Breaking the cycle

ILP home, inside view (Courtesy, DABSJ)

With the ILP program, DABSJ seeks to break the cycles put forth by the system and provide a supportive bridge into adulthood.

“We want the youth to be independent but not alone,” said Muliett. “By living in a home right here on the DABSJ campus, youth can easily connect with the supports they need, whether it’s a coach helping them pursue college and careers, peers they can connect and build community with, or therapy and psychiatric care.

“They get to develop their goals and dreams – so it’s care provided for them, not for them.”

Rewriting futures

ILP residents will have access to on-site coaching, therapy, medical/psychiatric support, and the full amenities on the DABSJ campus.

ILP home kitchen (Courtesy, DABSJ)

The program is open to youth ages 16-19. Residents must be referred to the program by a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services or agency foster care case worker.

To begin, the program will operate out of one home serving eight residents. It will then expand on campus.

“We have recognized the need for a specialized Independent Living Plus program for a considerable time,” Muliett said. “All too often, these youth risk falling through the cracks.

“Our program is a beacon of hope, providing a safety net and a circle of support to ensure they survive and thrive as they transition into adulthood. This is more than just a program; it’s a commitment to allowing youth to rewrite their futures.”

To learn more about DABSJ’s Independent Living Plus program and access referral information, click here.

About D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s

D.A. Blodgett – St. John’s is a nonprofit that provides a full continuum of care for children and families, including foster care, adoption, family preservation, behavioral health, child psychiatry, and residential programs. DABSJ impacts more than 14,000 lives annually with safety, advocacy, and support.

Learn more at dabsj.org.

(Courtesy, DABSJ)

Santa Claus Girls nonprofit pivots after fire, requests monetary donations to replace gifts for children in need

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Local nonprofit is determined to bring Christmas to thousands of Kent County children despite the fire at their storage facility (Courtesy, pxhere.com)



By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


A recent fire destroyed over 5,000 of gifts intended for families in need this Christmas. But Santa Claus Girls (SCG) of Kent County is determined to keep Christmas alive for the 8,500 children registered this year.

At 9 p.m. on Nov. 24, multiple agencies responded to a fire at the DeltaPlex Arena in Walker that began in a west wall of the building.

Over 5,000 gifts were damaged by smoke (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

An event center for many years, the Arena closed in summer of 2022, but remained the donation drop-off site for SCG.

Though flames did not reach the area where SCG operates, smoke infiltrated the area for hours, causing damage to thousands of gifts.

SCG Vice President Nancy Ditta said they have not been able to go through the gifts yet, and therefore are not sure if anything is salvageable. SCG will go through their storage area after the first of the year, and will know more then.

Right now, SCG’s focus is on making sure all registered children in need receive a gift in time for Christmas.

A Christmas pivot

“We have 8,500 kids, with 3,500 families, registered to receive gifts,” said Ditta. “We were able to purchase gift cards through Meijer, so we will be delivering gift cards instead of gifts to all of our recipients.”

Santa Claus Girls wants every child to receive a gift on Christmas morning (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

The number of registered children is a decrease from the 13,000 children serviced in 2022 due to an unexpected registration cutoff.

“With the fire, we had to stop registrations early,” said Ditta.

With a delivery date of Dec. 9, monetary donations to help purchase gift cards are needed.

While toys, books, and other physical gifts are accepted, Ditta said monetary donations are best since SCG volunteers are not at the DeltaPlex location to accept donations.

Monetary donations can be made via credit card, PayPal or check. Detailed instructions on how to complete donations can be found on the SCG website.

Children and families in need will receive gift cards personally delivered to their door by one of 300 volunteer drivers on Saturday, Dec. 9.

A century of giving

SCG was founded in 1908 by Arianna VanDoorn of Park Congregational Church.

Sponsored by the late Arthur H. VandenBerg, then editor of the Grand Rapids Herald, VanDoorn collected $85 to provide gifts for 150 children who, due to unfortunate circumstances, would not receive gifts at Christmas.

The goal of SCG is to ensure all children in Kent County receives a gift on Christmas morning. Each child receives one new piece of clothing, one new toy, a new book, and hats and mittens.

(Courtesy photo)

For over a century, SCG has helped thousands of Kent County children between the ages of one and twelve years of age – yet many people don’t know the group exists.

“This is our 115th year, [and] a lot of people aren’t familiar with Santa Claus Girls,” said Ditta, adding that the tragedy of the DeltaPlex fire has made more people aware of SCG and their mission.

How you can give

SCG accepts donations at any time throughout the year. Because every person associated with SCG is a non-paid volunteer, 100% of collected funds go directly to the program.

To donate, click here: donate.

To learn more about SCG, visit: www.santaclausgirls.org.

Senior Living: Developing an aging plan

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By Emily Armstrong
Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan

Photo from pxhere.com

Planning for any future endeavor can be overwhelming; a big trip, a long-distance move, making a large purchase or upgrade. Developing an aging plan isn’t any different, it can be difficult to navigate. As with anything, starting to research an aging plan is often the first step.

So why do you need an aging plan? It is important to recognize that you may not age exactly how you wish, but having this plan in place before barriers arise, allows you to have a peace of mind that your wishes are carried out how you want.

Where to Start: The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan (AAAWM) is a great place to get started on your aging plan. Area Agencies on Aging are a nationwide network of nonprofit agencies created by Congress in 1974 to be one-stop shops with information about programs and services to maximize the independence and dignity of older adults. At AAAWM, we serve a nine-county region that includes Allegan, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola counties, and we partner with local agencies, organizations, and Commissions on Aging to provide vital support to seniors and their caregivers.

Everyone ages differently, and no two situations are identical. The resources that could work to support one family may not be the best choice for another. When you call our Information and Assistance team at (616) 456-5664, they listen to your unique situation and can help you get started. Whether you have current care needs or are planning ahead, we can help connect you to resources that focus on the goal of maintaining independence. The Eldercare Locator tool (www.eldercare.acl.gov) from the U.S. Administration on Aging can also be a helpful online resource for those not in our region or if you are caring for a loved one out of state.

What to Consider: In thinking ahead to your aging plan and having these proactive conversations, you should first consider what you may need help with as you get older. As you share your hopes for aging at home with your family, there could be some support they can provide for you and other things they may not. The good news is that there are many services available in the nine-county region to help fill these gaps.

Here are just a few of the many resources and some questions to consider:

Safety: Is your home safe for you to navigate? What if you were to lose mobility? Some home modifications can be simple, such as adding a handrail, others can be more involved like building an entrance ramp. Programs in the region exist to help older adults make these updates or required repairs and oftentimes will conduct a home assessment to help determine if the home is safe for independence and what steps to take. In some cases, agencies are able to provide adaptive equipment such as walkers and other mobility aids.

Home Support: Can you take care of yourself? Are there some tasks you require support with? Services are available to provide help with routine daily tasks like laundry, shopping, and light housekeeping. If your needs are greater, specific programs like the AAAWM’s Care Management or MI Choice Medicaid Waiver are in place for those who require a higher level of care.

Transportation: If you lose your ability to drive yourself, what are some of your options? Assisted transportation is available to provide older adults with pre-scheduled rides to doctor’s appointments, senior centers, meal programs, and more. Discounted public transportation vouchers are also available.

Meals: Are you able to prepare your own meals? Are you eating nutritious foods? For seniors who are able to still shop for their own food, a wide variety of nutrition services exist from food pantries to the Community Food Club. For the social older adult, congregate meals are a great option to have regular meals with others. Homebound seniors can still have the freedom to choose their own meal options and prepare their own meals through home delivered meals programs.

Health: Are you staying connected socially to peers and your community? Are you prioritizing your physical and social health as you age? Senior centers offer a wide variety of activities to help you stay engaged in your community including specialized programs and activities from woodworking to crafting and bingo. Evidence-based healthy aging classes are designed specifically for older adults to improve their balance and strength to avoid future falls.

Caregiver Support: If you care for an aging loved one, you likely require support from time to time. Services such as adult day, respite, and caregiver education programs are in place to walk with you on the caregiver journey and relieve some of this burden.

In many cases, you can choose the best options for you and what your needs are. It is important to note that in the case of some of these programs, based on age, financial, and medical criteria, some co-pays, or cost-sharing could be required. Call the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan at (616) 456-5664 to begin the conversation on how to get connected to the resource options in your community and develop your aging plan!

Make an Impact! grants offered by Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation

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The Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation announced a new, one-time opportunity to apply for a Community Impact Grant! Applications will be available for the new grant until July 15.

By Derek Aten
Rotary Club of Grand Rapids

Through the Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation, up to $100,000 will be available for application by 501(c)3 organizations in the Greater Grand Rapids area. Organizations are encouraged to apply by mail or online, submitting a proposal summary, project cost, activities and how your project will make a significant impact in the Greater Grand Rapids community.

Among the criteria is alignment with one or more of Rotary’s seven areas of focus:

  • .  Peace and conflict prevention / resolution
  • .  Disease prevention and treatment
  • .  Water and sanitation
  • .  Maternal and child health
  • .  Basic education and literacy
  • .  Economic and community development
  • .  The environmentRotarian Derek Aten, leader of the special Community Impact Grant Task Force, states “Rotary stands with our community to address common goals in ways that are inclusive and equitable through volunteerism, service and resources. Our goal with this major grant is to make a significant difference in our community.”Funded by the Rotary Charities Foundation, the Community Impact Grant advances the mission of the Foundation to support charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes. The Foundation exists to support local and international non-profit projects and programs that align with its primary focus areas of health, education and youth programs.

Applications must be completed by July 15. Applications may be mailed to Community Impact Grant, Rotary Club of Grand Rapids Charities Foundation, 1345 Monroe Ave. NW, Suite 307, Grand Rapids, MI, 49509 or emailed to grant@grrotary.org

For more information, visit the Grand Rapids Rotary Club’s website, www.grrotary.org/charities-foundation.