Grand Rapids Community Stories
Why Community Stories?
Giving back to the community is embedded in the Hylant culture. Hylant-Grand Rapids is active in the community, but really wanted to put some structure on supporting nonprofit organizations.
Hear from Jeff Lumpp, President, Hylant-Grand Rapids, on why Community Stories is so important.
"It was something I needed to go through to end up where I'm at today."
Josh Franklin needed a new beginning. A disability made finding good work difficult, adding more stress to his life.
Goodwill provided him the training, support and encouragement to develop his career.
"Kid's Food Basket is a lifeline for most of our students."
1 in 6 children in the U.S. are living in food-insecure households. Vanessa Marble and Kids Food Basket is working to change that.
Providing meals to low-income children, Kid's Food Basket creates balanced meals for students so they can be their best in school and in life.
"P.O.R.T. helped us stay together as a family."
When Amy's daughter was diagnosed with aggressive leukemia, her family was left staying for months in the hospital for treatment completely unprepared.
PORT ensured the Skrycki family had the daily necessities, support and encouragement they needed to endure the cancer journey.
"It's really inspiring to know that many people care."
Ever since she was a kid, Jennifer knew she wanted a family and to help change the world.
Through D.A. Blodgett St. John's, Jennifer fostered children in need of stability and a place to call home.
"It changed our reality forever."
On Christmas Eve, Adam's wife passed away unexpectedly. Faced with grieving children while dealing with his own heartache, Adam turned to Ele's Place.
Ele's Place helped Adam and his family process their grief, providing counseling in a way his kids could understand.
"I love to be a part of organizations that are a solution."
United Way has been providing solutions to help people advance their lives.
Dr. Bill Pink is proud to be a part of United Way, lifting barriers and making life easier for those individuals facing roadblocks.
"Something at the center just clicked."
When her son was diagnosed with severe autism as an infant, Jennifer was faced with a future in which she was told what milestones she couldn't expect her son to reach.
Equest center provided the motivation for her son to achieve milestones, learn to communicate and connect with people and animals.
"You're an advocate and a voice for a young child."
Andrea grew up with a father who instilled the value of service and volunteer work.
Volunteering at CASA allowed her to employ her passion for service, her faith and her love to advocate for foster-care children who needed someone to show up for them.
Nonprofit Partners
We believe in the missions and work of our nonprofit partners. Through Grand Rapids Stories, we can bring attention to the changes these organizations have made in our communities. Learn more about the nonprofits featured in Grand Rapids Stories.
Goodwill
For nearly 120 years, Goodwill has strived to enhance people's dignity and quality of life. In 2021, Goodwill served near 22 million individuals worldwide and helped more than 126,000 people train for careers.
Ele's Place
In nearly 30 years, more than 30,000 individuals have been served by Ele's Place, providing onsite and school-based bereavement programs for children who have experienced death in their lives.
Kids' Food Basket
Kids' Food Basket nourishes children to reach their full potential. Kids' Food Basket now serves 8,800 kids each weekday in West Michigan.
Heart of West Michigan United Way
United Way fights for health, education and financial stability for every person in every community. By inspiring others to find new solutions to old problems, mobilizing resources and forging unlikely partnerships, United Way helps communities live United.
Pediatric Oncology Resource Team (PORT) at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital
The Pediatric Oncology Resource Team (P.O.R.T.) is a group of volunteer families serving families with a child battling cancer or a life-threatening blood disorder. “We are families helping families.” P.O.R.T. works in conjunction with the pediatric hematology/oncology and bone marrow transplantation teams at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital.
Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding
Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding improves quality of life through equine-based therapy to physically, mentally and socially/emotionally challenged individuals. Their unique program integrates academic, social and physical skills, using the horse as a catalyst. Today 185+ riders, ranging in age from 2 to 100, enjoy the benefits of Equest each week, with a waiting list of disabled children hoping to participate.
D.A. Blodgett St. John’s
D.A. Blodgett St. John’s provides counseling, foster care, adoption, mentoring, and residential care. Each service is different, but all share a common thread – life-changing love. They provide more than 20 services, impact 11,000 lives every year, and work tirelessly to ensure all children and families have the love, support, and resources they need to thrive – today and into the future.
CASA of Kent County
CASA of Kent County is a nonprofit organization that looks out for the best interests of abused and neglected children as they make their way through the family court system. No other organization does what they do in Kent County—so when you support CASA, you are providing what may be the only opportunity for these children to overcome their family traumas and build a new life.