GVN Organization Descriptions

GVN Organization Descriptions Below is a list of some of the organizations where GVN program participants have served in recent years. It includes a brief description and also the website where you will find more information. ACCESS of West Michigan is an organization dedicated to coordinating services in Kent County that are directed towards meeting the needs of the poor and hungry. Volunteers work in an office, learning about case work, speaking to food pantry directors and volunteers, working on events and projects. www.accessofwestmichigan.org Degage Ministries serves the poor in the Heartside neighborhood of Grand Rapids by providing a Life Enrichment Center (LEC), a Food Pantry, Meal Services and Overnight Shelter for women. Volunteers are needed to help in the LEC and serving meals. www.degageministries.org Family Promise provides emergency housing, training, mentoring for families and helps families find and move into permanent housing. It is one of just a few emergency shelters for whole families (where they are housed together) in the GR area. Volunteers help with the children in the day center, interact with families, help move furniture into apartments, and help in the office. www.familypromisegr.org Feeding America West Michigan is a food bank which serves 1,300+ food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, domestic violence shelters, rescue missions, and other charity agencies across 40 Michigan counties. Volunteers are needed to sort and re-pack food in their warehouse which is then sent to pantries. www.feedingamericawestmichigan.org Exalta Health (formerly Health Intervention Services) is a unique medical clinic with medical professionals, social workers and business people serving the underprivileged who do not have adequate health care. Volunteer opportunities include helping in the reception area, filing and special projects such as helping with the fundraising events. www.hisgr.org Habitat for Humanity of Kent County - Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity of Kent County brings people together to build homes, communities, and hope. https://www.habitatkent.org/ Heartside Ministries is an outreach to the homeless and disenfranchised people on the street. Volunteer opportunities include helping in the Art and Pottery studio, GED tutoring, reception area or as a computer lab aide. Must be 18 years old. www.heartside.org Mel Trotter Ministries is a homeless shelter, soup kitchen and substance abuse program located in downtown Grand Rapids. Opportunities to serve are in The Day Center, working with children who are in residence at Mel Trotter with their parent(s) or guardian. Volunteers mentor, play with and tutor the children. They sometimes help in the food pantry as well. www.meltrotter.org Servants Center: A unique organization offering relationship based street outreach and ongoing support services to mentally ill poor and homeless people in GR. Volunteers do mostly behind the scenes office work and some help with clients and street people. www.servantscenter.org West Michigan Refugee Center – Serving refugee families that are living here because they were forced to flee their own countries. Volunteers offer tutoring and other help. 2130 Enterprise St. SE, Kentwood. www.refugeeeducationcenter.org.