Program Updates

Outreach & Housing Access

Adam* first met our Outreach team in 2024 with one clear goal: to find safe, stable housing. We began by helping him verify his homelessness—an essential first step in applying for housing programs. From there, our team worked alongside him to gather necessary documents and complete housing applications.

Adam applied for apartment after apartment. Although he was employed and had steady income, he didn’t earn enough to meet rental qualifications. He would go to work without a safe place to return to at the end of the day, either sleeping in his car, or staying with friends when he could. Despite doing everything he could to move forward, housing remained out of reach.

The toll of homelessness extended beyond daily uncertainty for Adam. He was living with significant pain and needed surgery, but without stable housing, his doctors could not move forward with the procedure. He found moments of rest and encouragement at our Community Kitchen and Refresh, where warm meals and friendly faces reminded him that he wasn’t alone. Last year when Housing Choice Vouchers became available in our community again, we connected Adam with Good Samaritan to apply. A few weeks later, Adam got the news that he received a voucher!

With a voucher in hand, Adam was approved for an apartment and moved in earlier this year! On move-in day, our team provided items from our Resale Store to transform Adam’s new space into a foundation for future progress. Now thriving in his new home, Adam has become a Food Club member, and with stable housing secured, he was finally able to schedule the surgery he had long postponed. He’s healing, feeling stronger, and heading to work each day with renewed hope.

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Food Club

Several years ago, Judy* occasionally visited our 14th Street pantry to help support her family. After many years without needing support, her budget suddenly became strained again, and she knew she could turn to Food Club. As a retiree living on a fixed income, her budget was extremely tight—especially as grocery costs continued to rise. Since 2024, Judy has been a Food Club member, accessing the fresh, healthy groceries she needs to thrive!

Through her Food Club membership, Judy began attending Healthy@Home classes, where she found encouragement and connection in a supportive community while learning how to cook fresh, healthy meals at home! And through our Financial Wellness classes, she gained practical tools to budget wisely and save money during retirement.

Reflecting on her experience as a Food Club member, Judy shared, “Coming to Food Club truly brings me joy and eases so much of my stress.” She hopes that one day she won’t need Food Club, but for now she’s grateful for a community that welcomes her with kindness and walks alongside her as she builds a brighter future.

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Community Kitchen

Last year, our Outreach team met Samuel* while he was living outdoors. At first, he was hesitant to trust our team. But over time, small moments of connection began to build that trust, and he started visiting the Community Kitchen.

Over warm meals and conversation, Samuel opened up to our team and shared that he was a veteran. He was hesitant to get support through the Department of Veterans Affairs, because the process is complex and intimidating. When he visited the Community Kitchen, our team would be there to sit with him as he made calls and completed paperwork, offering steady encouragement along the way. After conversations with the Department of Veterans Affairs, he began the process of applying for a HUD-VASH voucher! This program helps veterans secure stable housing while accessing case management and medical services.

After months of interviews and paperwork, Samuel was approved for a voucher and later secured safe, stable housing! To help him settle in, our team equipped Samuel with a voucher to our Resale Store so he could get home essentials to transform his new space into a warm, welcoming home. Samuel has also become a Food Club member, accessing the fresh, healthy food he needs to thrive.

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Financial Wellness

Earlier this year, our Financial Wellness team met with a Holland High School finance class to explore the basics of saving, budgeting, and credit! Over the course of two weeks, they visited the classroom four times, guiding students through a real-life mock scenario that examined what it truly takes to be financially stable in our community.

Together, they discussed the importance of building emergency savings, creating realistic budgets, and understanding the risks that can come with credit cards and debt. Students wrestled with real numbers, real expenses, and real decisions—gaining a clearer understanding of how quickly costs add up, and how intentional planning can help prevent a crisis.

April is Financial Literacy Month, and we’re so grateful for opportunities like these to equip the next generation with the financial tools and knowledge they need to thrive. Building financial literacy is key to helping young people feel confident, informed, and empowered as they work toward a strong financial future!

Lakeshore Food Rescue

Last month, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health reached out to our team with an urgent need. A local community had lost access to running water and needed immediate supplies. Our Lakeshore Food Rescue team navigates complex challenges like these every day—ensuring surplus food gets to the tables of neighbors who need it most—and we were glad to step in and help in a new way.

Our team quickly mobilized, reaching out to trusted food rescue partners across the community. Several partners stepped up with surplus supplies, allowing us to coordinate the delivery of thousands of essential items to households without running water. Together, we distributed gallons of bottled water, canned food, paper towels, disposable plates and cutlery, sanitizing wipes, and other household essentials so families had what they needed.

The health department knew we could help solve this challenge because coordinating resources, building partnerships, and making sure excess turns into access is what we do every day. Our collaborative approach allows us to respond quickly when needs arise, and we’re grateful to the health department and our food rescue partners for ensuring none of our neighbors had to face this challenge alone.

Resale Store

Construction is complete at our new Resale North location, and we’d love for you to join us to celebrate!

You’re Invited: Join Us For the Resale North Grand Opening!

Where: Community Action House Resale North | 650 Riley Street, Holland, MI 49424

When: Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

What to Expect: Stop by during our grand opening weekend to check out our new space, shop, and enjoy discounts, prizes, giveaways, and more!

Learn more about Resale North's Grand Opening!

Thank you, Haworth, for sponsoring Resale North’s Grand Opening Weekend!

As we launch our new Northside location, Resale South is temporarily closed for renovations, with a grand reopening planned for August! Stay tuned for details.

You can still donate! Drop off your gently used items Monday-Friday at Resale North (650 Riley Street). Your donations will help us stock the shelves ahead of our grand opening this month!

This is a big project, and one that’s only possible because of neighbors like you who continue to believe in our mission. Thanks to many generous donors, we’ve already received over $2.2M in commitments—nearly 78% of the way to the $3M we need to make this important effort a reality. Our capital campaign is ongoing, so if this is the type of project that excites you, we’d love to connect! Learn more here, and let us know if you’d like to meet to discuss this in more detail. It would be our pleasure to share more.

Program Highlight

April is National Volunteer Month!

We’re incredibly grateful for our team of volunteers who turn their compassion into action to nourish, equip, and empower our neighbors! Last year, 3,024+ volunteers chose to serve with us, logging over 62,323 hours of donated time—what an amazing expression of care for our neighbors! Read stories from some of our volunteers about why they choose to dedicate their time and talents to building a stronger, healthier community.

All of our work is made possible by volunteers. Help us build a community where all our neighbors have what they need to thrive, and join our team of dedicated volunteers!

Explore Volunteer Opportunities!

Save the Date

The Golf Classic is Back!

Register here for Action House's 23rd annual Golf Classic, presented by Bradford! Get together a group of four friends or colleagues and enjoy a great day of golf and new connections while supporting Action House programs.

Thursday, June 11, 2026

The Ravines Golf Club | 3520 Palmer Dr, Saugatuck, MI 49453

AM Session: 8 AM - 1PM | PM Session: 1:30 PM - 6:30 PM

Nelis’ Dutch Village Opening Day Food Drive

Saturday, April 18 | 10:00am-3:00pm

Nelis’ Dutch Village | 12350 James St, Holland, MI 49424

Visit Dutch Village on their Opening Day and bring along non-perishable items for their food drive supporting Community Action House!

All food drive participants will receive a free admission pass that can be used that day, or any day in 2026. Or your pass can be redeemed that day only for a dollar-for-dollar discount on a Season Pass!

Learn more