Program Updates

Financial Wellness

June is National Homeownership Month—a time to celebrate the stability, opportunity, and generational impact that come with having a place to call your own.

Last year, Amber* was staying at a transitional housing agency when she connected with our Financial Wellness team. Determined to build a stronger financial future, she began working one-on-one with our Financial Wellness team to create a budget, strengthen her savings, and pay off debt. Month by month, Amber made payments on her debt, and with one final payment using money from her tax refund, Amber will officially be debt-free!

While working with our team, she opened a credit card to intentionally strengthen her credit score and has committed to making consistent, on-time payments. After months of planning alongside our team, Amber purchased a home of her very own earlier this year!

Homeownership is now the foundation she’s building on. Safe, stable housing—whether that’s through owning a home, renting, or living in transitional housing—creates the space needed to plan and build a brighter future. We’re grateful to walk alongside neighbors like Amber and see her dreams turn into lasting stability.

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Food Club

Two years ago, Amy’s* world changed overnight when her husband suffered a heart attack. The medical bills quickly drained their savings, and with her husband only able to work limited hours afterward, the couple struggled to keep up with everyday expenses. Amy’s parents, longtime Food Club members, encouraged them to join. Amy and her husband soon became members and were relieved to find stability and a welcoming community through Food Club.

As a Food Club member, Amy was able to access the fresh, healthy foods she needed to better manage her diabetes and support her husband’s heart health. With access to affordable, fresh, healthy food, Amy returned to one of her favorite hobbies: cooking meals at home for her family. Through our on-site Healthy@Home classes, Amy found encouragement and connected with others excited to learn new ways to prepare healthy meals on a budget. She shared that the classes helped ease much of the stress she had been carrying, and she especially appreciated the kindness and support she experienced each week.

Now, one of her favorite traditions is bringing home the ingredients from Food Club after class and recreating the recipes with her daughter. Through healthy food, connection, and compassionate support, Amy and her family found renewed stability and hope for the future.

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Outreach & Housing Access

Last year, Gary* connected with our team at Refresh while experiencing homelessness. He was facing serious health challenges, worsened by living outdoors, but was determined to build a more stable future. He partnered with our team to secure employment, improve his credit, and work toward safe housing. Gary began strengthening his financial foundation, but despite steady income and growing credit, finding housing remained a challenge.

For years, our Outreach and Financial Wellness teams have intentionally built strong relationships with local housing providers because we know connected, collaborative support creates better outcomes for our neighbors. Through one of those trusted partnerships, a private landlord notified our team about an available apartment. Gary applied immediately, and soon after, moved into a safe place to call home!

Housing created the stability Gary needed to begin focusing on his health and future. Since moving indoors, his health challenges have improved, and he’s now connected to ongoing support through Food Club and is eager to get involved with our Financial Wellness programming. With a safe place to call home and support systems in place, Gary is moving forward with hope and momentum.

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Community Kitchen

When Cole* first connected with our team at the Community Kitchen, he faced a major barrier: without a reliable source of income, securing safe housing felt out of reach. Unable to work due to health challenges, we connected Cole with our friends at Good Samaritan, who began walking alongside him through the Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) application process to help him pursue steady income. At the same time, our team supported Cole in gathering the documentation he would need for housing applications.

Rather than requiring Cole to navigate unfamiliar offices and complicated systems alone, a Good Samaritan team member who specializes in SSDI applications began meeting him directly at the Community Kitchen. In a place where Cole already comes for a warm meal, encouragement, and trusted relationships, he’s been able to move through the application process side-by-side with a community that believes in him. Meeting neighbors where they are removes barriers, builds trust, and reminds people they don’t have to face challenges alone.

Cole has continued to move forward with hope and determination. Our team sees that resilience every step of the way, and we’re proud to walk alongside him as he works toward securing SSDI and, ultimately, a safe place to call home. We’re grateful to our friends at Good Samaritan for meeting Cole where he already feels welcomed and known, and for the way the Community Kitchen continues to serve as a place where organizations across our community can come together to support our neighbors.

*Name and photo changed for privacy

Food Rescue & Partnerships

In April, Nelis’ Dutch Village kicked off their season with compassion by hosting their Opening Day Food Drive in support of Community Action House. Community members were invited to bring nonperishable food and personal care items in exchange for a day of free admission, and our community responded with incredible generosity!

In just one day, 7,720+ pounds of donations were collected—more than we’ve ever collected at the Dutch Village food drive! We’re deeply grateful to Nelis’ Dutch Village for supporting us each year through their Opening Day Food Drive, our incredible volunteers who helped us sort and stock, and to every person who contributed. Your support helps ensure that all of our neighbors have access to the essentials they need to thrive. Thank you for helping us build a stronger, healthier community!

Resale Store

Mary* recently moved into safe, stable housing after partnering with our Outreach team. As she began settling into her new home, Mary visited our Resale Store looking for furniture. While browsing, one item immediately caught her eye: a rocking chair.

Mary was so excited to purchase the chair as the very first piece of furniture for her new home. She shared with our team why it meant so much to her: she couldn’t wait to rock her grandchildren in that chair when they came to visit. After years without a place to call home, her first priority was creating a place where family could gather and make memories together.

That’s what our Resale Store is all about. From neighbors, for neighbors—your donations help provide affordable household items to neighbors like Mary, turning empty spaces into welcoming homes.

*Name changed for privacy

Join Our Team!

Want to be a part of stories like Mary’s? As we gear up to reopen our Resale South location in August, we’re looking to expand our dedicated team of Resale staff members! Interviews will begin soon with official start dates in July. Interested or know someone who would be a great fit? Express your interest here!

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Save the Date

Celebrating Juneteenth with I AM Academy!

At Community Action House, we know that a thriving community is one where all our neighbors are supported, celebrated, and equally valued. This month, we’re celebrating with our friends at I AM Academy!

Shop with us at the Resale Store throughout the month of June, and 10% of store profits will support I AM Academy’s efforts to empower Black and multiracial youth to see their potential, experience joy, become confident leaders, and drive positive change. Learn more about their efforts at iamacademymi.org.

Join us at I AM Academy’s Juneteenth Freedom Festival!

Saturday, June 20 | 2:00pm-7:00pm

Kollen Park | 240 Kollen Park Dr, Holland, MI 49423

Juneteenth is a national holiday that commemorates June 19, 1865, when the enslaved people of Texas finally learned that slavery had been abolished. Learn more about Juneteenth and join Community Action House in celebration at I AM Academy's Juneteenth Freedom Festival: a free, family friendly event, and enjoy live music, food vendors, fun activities and more!

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Pride Festival with Out on the Lakeshore

Saturday, June 27, 12:00pm-5:00pm

Kollen Park | 240 Kollen Park Dr, Holland, MI 49423

June is Pride Month, in honor of the June 1969 Stonewall Uprising: a tipping point event for the Gay Liberation movement in the United States. Celebrate Pride with Community Action House at Out on the Lakeshore's free, family friendly festival with entertainment, food trucks, resource booths, and fun for all ages!

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Meijer Simply Give is Back!

Right now, thanks to our friends at Meijer, your donation can be tripled! Up to $5,000 of double-matching funds are available for any gift you make before June 20, TRIPLING your impact for our community.

Donate to triple your impact

In Case You Missed It

The Lakeshore: Gentex engineers help nonprofits improve efficiency

Last year, a team from Gentex Corporation partnered with our Resale Store to help us strengthen our operations to maximize the impact of every donation and volunteer hour.

West Coast Way: An Affordable Housing Project for our Community

Learn more about how Community Action House is partnering with Dwelling Place and other organizations to bring 52 units of urgently needed rental housing to Holland.