Heart Of West Michigan United Way

Internal community service programs include 2-1-1, volunteer income tax assistance program (vita), volunteer center, eviction program, women united and emerging leaders. United way 2-1-1 is a free health and human services "hotline" that connects callers to more than 8,000 distinct services in 15 western and northern michigan counties 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is staffed and managed by extensively trained and certified united way staff members. United way's 211 service supported michigan residents by taking over 55,000 calls during the year. United way vita engages over 200 volunteers to help working individuals and families gain economic stability with free income tax return preparation, ensuring that the earned income tax credit is received by those who are eligible. The eviction prevention program supported 106 families with flexible financial assistance and/or housing case management, providing for housing stability for those families.

The kent county essential needs task force and grand rapids area coalition to end homelessness focus on system change with an emphasis on collective impact and the interconnectedness of all systems. The committees are a reflection of those basic needs the community has deemed essential to the success of all residents. In addition to housing/homelessness, committees include energy efficiency, food and nutrition, kent county food policy council, economic and workforce development, transportation, and digital inclusion.

The great start collaborative (gsc) of kent county serves as the local infrastructure for governance, planning, investment, advocacy, and innovation for michigan's great start system. Our collaborative is part of a network of 54 great start collaboratives and 60 great start parent coalitions working through the michigan office of great start (ogs). Charged with ensuring that all children birth to age eight, especially those in highest need, have access to high-quality early learning and development programs and enter kindergarten prepared for success.