homelessness
Local shelters strive to curb trend of child homelessness in Grand Rapids
by (dansteenwyk)
Submitted 02-05-2014 under LOCAL LIFE
For many children in Grand Rapids, waking up without a place to call home is not a bad dream. For many children, homelessness is a reality. Cindy Longyne, communications manager for Mel Trotter Ministries, says there are 45 children currently...
Homeless shelter extends hours in winter freeze
by (dansteenwyk)
Submitted 01-24-2014 under NEWS
While Old Man Winter throws a fit, Mel Trotter Ministries (225 Commerce SW) are keeping their Day Center open to anyone in need of shelter. Cynthia Longyne, Communications Manager for Mel Trotter, says the Day Center will stay open as long as...
Catalyst Radio: Well House 19:1 fundraiser goes through end of year, plus concert Jan. 16
by (Catalyst Radio)
Submitted 12-20-2013 under NEWS
Don't have time to listen now? Download the mp3 and listen at your leisure. INTERVIEW The ‘housing first’ organization Well House is in the midst of a campaign called 19:1, bringing attention to the housing disparity in Kent...
Mayor answers citizen questions about our homeless population on City Connection
by (The Rapidian)
Submitted 12-02-2013 under NONPROFITS
Every month, the mayor is open to all questions sent in during his live on-air show "City Connection." This month, after the recent fencing that was put in under the abutment near the Downtown Market, Rapidian Russ Pontius asked the mayor...
Fenced off abutment doesn't solve anything, says local homeless advocate
by (jon_dunn)
Submitted 11-26-2013 under NEWS
Where are those people now? That’s the question some in the community are asking after the decision was made to fence off the Wealthy Street bridge abutment that was being used by homeless residents for shelter. According to the Well House...
Continued safety issues cited as reason for bridge abutment fencing
by (jon_dunn)
Submitted 11-25-2013 under NEWS
Over the last few months, several community-led cleanup efforts have attempted to keep the Wealthy Street overpass abutment clean. Underneath the overpass, the sheltered spot is a favorite for the city’s homeless, choosing the abutment as a...
Well House 19:1 campaign seeks to educate, offers opportunity
by (erictank)
Submitted 11-12-2013 under NEWS
On Monday November 18, at 5:30 p.m. Well House will initiate its 19:1 campaign designed to educate about an essential human necessity, namely providing people housing. Show your support for the Housing First model, a a Well House initiative that...
Ethical responsibility to panhandlers
by (bjr25)
Submitted 11-08-2013 under NEWS
Bracing against the frigid wind, a grungy-looking man stands with a sign stating, “Anything helps. God Bless.” He has a lean, hungry look about him and is shivering in the cold. But should you give him money? “The Bible...
Does everyone deserve to have a place?
by (tamivandenberg)
Submitted 09-10-2013 under PLACE-MATTERS
In the late '70s, a woman by the name of Marian Clements purchased an 1870's era home at the corner of Pleasant and Cass, in what is now the SECA neighborhood, for $350. She called it Well House. Clements had experienced severe depression,...
Well House scores $257,000 Kellogg Foundation grant
by (Roberta F. King)
Submitted 05-21-2013 under NEWS
Tami VandenBerg is proving herself to be much more than a successful bar and club owner—she’s adding grantwriter to her resume. Today, she, in her part-time role as executive director of Well House, announced that The W.K. Kellogg...