ICCF Community Homes - Blueprints, Summer 2020

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF FAMILY HAVEN In This Issue A Message from Our CEO Impact of You Giving Back Families Walking with Families in Crisis

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO ICCF BOARD OF DIRECTORS Johana Rodriguez Quist, Chair Literacy Center of West Michigan Rhoda Kreuzer, Vice Chair Partners in Action, Inc. Marjorie Dood, Treasurer BASIC Benefits LLC Arlen-Dean Gaddy, Secretary Erhardt Construction Jamecia Adams Keller Williams Realty Lee Hardy Calvin University, Retired William Jackson Spectrum Health Teresa Jones Christian Reformed Church in North America Jason Kuiper Inontime, Inc. Andrew Miedema Great Lakes Region of the Wesleyan Church Tom Paarlberg Greenridge Realty Cameron Young Behler-Young Company

GO GREEN & STAY UP TO DATE WITH ICCF Sign up for the e-version of Blueprints today!

Contact Marie Tiemersma Eakin at mtiemersmaeakin@iccf.org or call (616) 336-9333.

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Dear ICCF friends and partners, What do you think of when you hear the word “charity”?

In this issue of Blueprints, we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of Family Haven, ICCF’s emergency family shelter. In the midst of an incredibly challenging year, I believe it is important to step back and acknowledge the work that God has done on this important anniversary.

After serving more than 2,000 families in our community since 1990, Family Haven is one of ICCF’s most recognizable “charitable” programs. But what if we stepped away from the mental images of people on the side of the road, slumped underneath cardboard signs, or parents and children searching for a place to spend the night?

What if we saw the individuals and families who come through Family Haven as people with incredible potential to bring change to the world on the other side of the crisis? What if we welcomed them with the same hopes we would have for a parent or child who was in need of help in the moment?

The ICCF leadership team has been reading the book Becoming Whole by Brian Fikkert and Kelly M. Kapic. They present the case that the "American Dream" should not be the end goal – not for those of us who have already achieved some version of it, and not for our neighbors dealing with material poverty whom we want to help. Instead, we become whole through pursuing God’s story for us, and everyone has a role in it. There is not one side that gives and one side that receives. Being whole means continual giving and receiving on every person’s part.

In this issue you will meet Veronica, who is in charge of Family Haven. Having traveled the road from homelessness to a bright future, she has become a leader in homelessness prevention. We are called to recognize and welcome leaders like Veronica, who have lived experience in the areas where they serve. Leaders who don’t see their work as charity, but who care for others as God does and help unlock who they were created to be.

Homelessness is a challenge. God desires for us to respond in hospitality, with the knowledge that those we are walking alongside can one day do the same for others.

This is His intended future for our neighbors, one that is based on shared fulfillment instead of charity. Join me in celebrating 30 years of Family Haven. And let’s explore how we can welcome our neighbors as people full of potential to lead us in the next 30 years and beyond.

Grace and Peace,

Ryan VerWys President and CEO rverwys@iccf.org

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SO THAT ALL MIGHT BE HOUSED WITH JUSTICE AND DIGNITY “Homelessness is not a disease, and it can’t be caught. Homeless means you just don’t have a roof over your head. Being homeless does not mean that we are losers, or that we made bad choices. Sometimes life throws curve balls, and it takes many kind people to help us catch the ball again.”

Family Haven resident, ICCF Blueprints circa 2014

In the 1980s, families frequently knocked on the door to ICCF’s offices with all their possessions in grocery bags, asking for an immediate place to stay. Homeownership was not their quest; they needed a bed for the night. Family Haven was established to meet that need.

While programs had previously focused exclusively on homeownership, ICCF recognized the need to care for our neighbors in crisis. An empty lot was purchased in 1989 and construction began on a 5-unit emergency shelter, specifically designed to meet the needs of homeless families, the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.

In 1997 ICCF celebrated the 500th family to take shelter at the building. By 2005 that number had grown to 1,141 families. In 2020 we will pass 2,000 families who, having faced almost insurmountable trials, have received respite, structure, and encouragement to pick up the pieces and begin again.

Over the years, countless people and organizations have invested in Family Haven. With 30 years of use and hundreds B L U E P R I N T S Summer 2020

of families and children passing through its doors, the building has required regular maintenance and renovations.

Countless individual volunteers mark every square inch of Family Haven, inside and out. Churches like Ada Bible, Oakdale Park CRC, St. Nicholas Orthodox Church, and many others have helped ensure Family Haven is always wellstocked for the next visiting family. Businesses, including Amway, SpartanNash, Adtegrity, BDR Custom Homes, and many, many more have shared their time, talent, and treasure to restore and furnish Family Haven. And gifts from organizations like the Peter C. & Emajean Cook Foundation, Dick & Betsy DeVos Foundation, Doug & Maria DeVos Foundation, Meijer Foundation, Sebastian Foundation, TJX Foundation, Samuel L. Westerman Foundation, and others have provided the capital necessary to keep Family Haven safe and welcoming.

Thirty years ago, the sign at the Family Haven construction site included the words: “So that all might be housed with Justice and Dignity.” Then and now, ICCF’s vision and prayer for each family who’s found respite at Family Haven is that they not only achieve housing stability, but also attain a place of wholeness, harmony and delight, a place where they both experience and contribute to the peace that is shalom.

With deep, deep gratitude, we celebrate all of the ways God has blessed families in our community through Family Haven, and all of the ways these families have both blessed us and gone on to bless others. We are also very concerned, especially in this unknown new Covid-19 world, for families facing eviction and homelessness! Please continue your financial support. This is an urgent need, which, when met, has long-term transformational impact.

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GIVING BACK Once in need of emergency shelter at Family Haven, now Veronica helps other families reach housing stability in the midst of crisis Veronica’s first impression of Family Haven was a sense of comfort, as perfect strangers welcomed her like family into a new state and home. It was 1996, and Veronica’s nine month old daughter had just been discharged from eight days in the hospital recovering from lead poisoning brought on by their previous home in Texas. With no job and no place to stay, Veronica and her family were welcomed into the emergency shelter by the ICCF team. 24 years later, Veronica is an integral part of the ICCF team and helps other families transition from homelessness to housing stability.

stay, these residents worked with ICCF team members to find the resources they needed to achieve stable housing.

The hustle and bustle of five families living in separate apartments but all under one roof was no problem for Veronica, because a full house is an environment she was used to. Born in Mexico, she was raised by her grandparents alongside their 14 children and three grandchildren after her single mother migrated to the United States. At 18, Veronica followed her mother to Texas and met her husband a year later. Soon enough, Veronica, her husband, and daughter found themselves in Michigan, seeking the job opportunities one of her family members had mentioned.

Yet, with no local references on her husband’s resumé, they struggled to find work. They were referred to Family Haven and were able to take shelter in an available unit.

Despite Family Haven’s sense of community, Veronica felt disconnected because of the language barrier as her first language was Spanish. Thankfully, a fluent Spanish-speaking ICCF intern lessened the burden of communication. Now, Veronica calls this woman a sister and their friendship has lasted for over two decades.

With a roof over their heads, Veronica’s husband secured a job at a tech agency and gratefully her own search for employment was a shorter journey than expected. Three weeks later in the Family Haven office, the ICCF staff offered her a job in housekeeping. Ready to work, she accepted without a second thought.

With her new residence at Family Haven and a job, the hunt for a rental house began. The previous searches had been unsuccessful due to uncooperative landlords or homes that

Today, Veronica is a Senior Housing Resource Specialist at ICCF and manages Family Haven, our emergency shelter.

ICCF broke ground to begin Family Haven’s construction on September 5, 1989, with the support of a concerned community alarmed by the growing number of homeless families caught in the limbo of a housing waitlist. At the time there were virtually no opportunities for temporary emergency housing other than dormitory-style mission shelters unsuitable for families with young children.

By the time Veronica and her family arrived in 1996, Family Haven’s five furnished apartments were consistently full and providing what was typically about a 30 day stay for families caught in the crisis of homelessness. During their 4

Veronica’s daughter played in the Family Haven yard during the family’s stay there in 1996.

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were not the right fit. But not long after her employment with ICCF, she got a call about an available unit to rent.

“Having the opportunity to have a place to lay our heads for a whole month and then able to have housing, it was really good,” Veronica said.

Veronica was attending school to finish up her accounting degree. But the past month’s experiences living at Family Haven had made it clear the degree would not take her where she was meant to be. She left school with a semester to go and dedicated her time to helping people.

“A lot of families are still coming back to say hi or their kids come and play. It’s really nice to see those families after they’ve been through the shelter. They are doing great, they move on in life. It’s a really rewarding thing,” Veronica said.

Among the faces who returned this summer is a neighbor who recognized Veronica. She recalled the time when they once lived across the hall from each other in Family Haven.

Now that neighbor is able to introduce her granddaughter to the resources that Veronica and ICCF can offer to help people find stable housing.

Gratitude is a theme tucked in every corner of the Family Haven shelter. Gratitude for a clean bed to sleep in. Gratitude for a safe place for one’s children. Gratitude for people who can help you get back on your feet. This especially rings true for Veronica and her kids. If her family had been left homeless and looking for work, she may not have been able to watch her children grow up. Two of her children were with her at Family Haven and now all three are finishing or beginning their college career.

Family Haven now has 6 units of emergency shelter and a beautiful playground for children to use.

“I’m just going to help people,” Veronica said. “Here I am 21 years later and I’m still helping people. I think it’s really rewarding when you see our neighbors moving into permanent housing... I’ll see them again coming back and asking for resources. Whatever resources I have available, I provide to anybody and everybody who walks in that door.”

“I want to be able to see my kids accomplish the stuff I wasn’t able to do,” Veronica said. Veronica is a testament to the balance of strength and compassion Family Haven offers its neighbors. She exemplifies the hope that is found in serving and loving others well. With a dedicated team continuing to equip resilient neighbors, Family Haven is on track to continue being a safe place for families for the next 30 years. B

Now as a Senior Housing Resource Specialist at ICCF and one of the managers of Family Haven, she has stayed committed to her promise of giving herself and other families a better life. In a day at the office, Veronica never seems to stop moving. Dozens of neighbors from the Hispanic community will visit her asking for help or resources. Even if she gets a call for another meeting or appointment, she works diligently with each individual until they are taken care of.

Her investment in the Hispanic community has allowed her to care for others as she was helped at Family Haven.

Treating every individual with dignity and respect, Veronica wants to give these neighbors in crisis a reason to trust the world again. In sharing her story to ease their frustration, she allows residents to feel comfortable and find value in themselves, believing they deserve a place to call home.

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Veronica stands with her husband, their children, and grandchild for a Christmas photo.

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CELEBRATING THIRTY YEARS OF FAMILY HAVEN 1989 ICCF purchases an empty lot on the southwest side of Grand Rapids.

1990 Family Haven opens its doors with 5 apartments of emergency shelter.

2005

2008

2015

Family Haven celebrates 15 years and 1,141 families served.

Renovations are needed often to keep the apartments in top shape for visiting families.

Volunteers from Adtegrity construct a new playground for children to enjoy.

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1994

1997

2001

The community room is added to create a central place to play and share meals.

Many volunteers engage children and keep shelves well-stocked with new books and toys.

Volunteers construct a new playground for children staying at Family Haven.

2017

2020

The #raisetheroof campaign provides much-needed renovations.

ICCF purchases and renovates the house next door to Family Haven, marking its first expansion to include 6 units of emergency housing.

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FINDING SHELTER Family Haven is a place for both shelter and renewal.

FAMILIES WALKING WITH FAMILIES IN CRISIS Amy Klapmust has always had a heart for service since her college years. To get back into the swing of volunteering in post-grad and, later, family life, she found an opportunity with ICCF. Our values aligned with her own, giving her the opportunity to work with people who care about helping families in need. “[Talking with the staff of Family Haven, you can tell] there’s no excuses. It’s not easy, especially when they’re doing a lot of the harder behind the scenes stuff. They’re joyful about it, they love it, you can just tell,” Amy said. “It’s such an important thing for people to look outside themselves and to get themselves out of their comfort zone a little bit.”

In September of 2019, Ella*, a single and disabled mother of two girls, reached out to the Salvation Army for support. While working two jobs, she was laid off from one and unable to pay for her apartment or support her girls. Her family was always supportive, but her parents’ age left them helpless. Ella had nowhere else to turn for help.

Salvation Army connected Ella to Family Haven, where her small family found relief in having a place to stay.

After a couple months at Family Haven, she was able to move into a rental unit. Ella is overjoyed to have a home, but occasionally comes back to Family Haven to say "hi" to our team or reach out for resources. Ella’s story is similar to many families at the emergency shelter. With support and resources, they have found hope and housing stability through Family Haven. *Name changed for privacy.

Amy is part of the Ada Bible Church Moms group which regularly serves at Family Haven. They help clean and decorate to make a welcoming space for new residents.

They also help organize donations of clothes and supplies, do crafts with Family Haven kids, and assist with outdoor work. With this team of moms contributing to the shelter, it has become a beautiful picture of families walking with families in a time of need. Their service not only impacts those who will live in the shelter, but the women who are volunteering.

“Especially with these young moms that we get in our group, you would think that they have the least amount of time [to spare] with little kids and trying to figure all that out. But you see them step up [to serve] and they love it.

Or their eyes are just opened a little bit more,” Amy said.

“Family Haven is just a light. I know there’s lots of other groups and organizations in Grand Rapids that do good solid work. I just think that Family Haven does something different in the value of “family” and that’s so important.”

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Family Haven offers 6 regularly-updated apartment units that offer families like Ella's safe places to regroup and refresh.

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LEGACY GIFT CONTINUES 30 YEARS OF FAITHFUL GIVING INTO THE FUTURE Les and Marilyn Oosterbaan gave their first contribution to ICCF 30 years ago in 1990, the same year Family Haven opened. Over the next 29 years, they kept giving every year without fail. Les was 79 when, on their 60th wedding anniversary in 2014, a stroke took his life. Marilyn passed away a year ago when she was 85. In December, ICCF received a final gift from Les and Marilyn’s estate based on an arrangement they had made with Barnabas Foundation ten years earlier.

Together, Les and Marilyn lived lives marked by their deep Christian faith expressed in their keen interest in and concern for people. ICCF was one of over 30 ministries that Les and Marilyn regularly supported.

“My parents loved giving to charities,” says their son Keith.

“Dad and Mom were blessed to have made some very good choices about their money, and they were frugal when it came to spending on themselves. It makes me proud to see how they were able to be so generous, both during their lives and in giving from their estate.”

Les and Marilyn’s final gift to ICCF from their wills was twice the total amount of all their lifetime gifts. ICCF used their legacy gift to cover the largest share of the funds needed to renovate the brand new sixth unit of Family Haven.

Other donors and volunteers helped to make this shelter a reality, for sure. But, in a very real way, this new residence for families who are temporarily homeless represents Les and Marilyn’s legacy. Here is the physical evidence of their faithfulness and their firm belief that they were blessed to be a blessing.

> If now is the time to rethink your estate plan or update your will, please consider including a bequest contribution to ICCF and to those other causes you care most about.

For more information about including a gift to ICCF in your will, visit iccf.org/planned-gifts/gifts-in-a-will, or contact Hank Kroondyk, ICCF’s Planned Giving Specialist, at 616.336.9333 ext. 403 or hkroondyk@iccf.org.

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A legacy gift from Les and Marilyn Oosterbaan (above) helped fund the sixth unit of Family Haven.

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IMPACT OF YOU: WEST MICHIGAN JANITORIAL When residents move out of Family Haven into stable housing, there are many reasons to celebrate! But there’s also a lot of work to be done to get the vacant apartment ready for the next family. Since last fall, West Michigan Janitorial has been donating their time to deep-clean Family Haven apartments in between family visits.

Kim puts out a call to their team any time a Family Haven unit is ready for turnover, and there’s always a great response.

They understand that serving families with a clean and safe environment is a way of showing love and respect to each person. B > Learn more about volunteer opportunities at iccf.org/volunteer

West Michigan Janitorial is a local janitorial services firm that offers exceptional cleaning services. Owner Greg Brouwer reached out to ICCF looking for volunteer opportunities.

Their expertise was a perfect fit to make spaces ready for families who are in need of emergency shelter.

“I really love how ICCF helps people with the immediate need of housing but also has a holistic approach to helping people be set up for success for housing and for life,” said Greg. Often on short notice and with the leadership team pitching in, West Michigan Janitorial performs a very tangible service that keeps Family Haven running smoothly.

For their part, WMJ is grateful that their partnership with ICCF provides a way for the industry to “think beyond ourselves as an organization and give back to others.”

“The partnership with ICCF has allowed members of our team to get to know each other on a deeper level,” said Kim VandeVooren, Director of Human Resources. “And it reminds us of the importance of ICCF’s work, and how each person in our community is important.”

Since last fall, West Michigan Janitorial has been donating their time to deep-clean Family Haven apartments in between family visits.

save the date Mark your calendars: THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1 • 7PM Music by Brena Join us for a socially distant benefit concert at the Woodland Drive-In Church or tune in to the livestream event to celebrate Family Haven’s 30th birthday!

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WAYS TO SUPPORT FAMILY HAVEN VOLUNTEER Sort and organize incoming donations, make and serve a meal, lead a craft or game night for kids, or help with outdoor projects. > Visit iccf.org/volunteer for more information

DONATE GIFTS IN KIND • • • • • •

Nonperishable food New and gently used clothing Personal care items Home cleaning supplies Bus passes and gas cards Twin size sheets, comforters, and blankets

> Contact Marie Tiemersma Eakin about in-kind gifts at mtiemersmaeakin@iccf.org

GIVE After 30 years, Family Haven needs a lot of ongoing work—new windows and siding, a repaved driveway, and new parking area—to keep the facilities in top shape. A financial gift of any kind will help support this emergency shelter for the next 30 years! > Visit iccf.org/donate to make a secure online gift

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CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF FAMILY HAVEN OUR MISSION

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