PULSE
WALK/RIDE/RUN
Instead of gathering at Frederik Meijer Gardens with residents, families, and friends, we held our event virtually on September 12th. Leading up to the event, we challenged David’s House residents and staff to walk/ride/run a total of 3,300 miles in 30 days. Although we came up a little shy of that goal, everyone had such a fun time getting out, taking pictures, and having a little friendly competition between the homes. Willow Tree Lodge won the challenge with an average of 71 miles per resident! House 4 was the top fundraising house with an average of $2,772 raised per resident and enjoyed a pizza party to celebrate. Joel M claimed the title of Top Resident Fundraiser this year with a total of $13,000! Second and Third place went to Jonathan B and Matthieu K. We also added a Tenth-place prize which went to Ryan O. Congratulations to all of the Top Fundraisers and prize winners. Thank you to everyone who donated, participated, and celebrated with us. Without you, this would not be possible. We appreciate your continued support. (Continue on page 3...)
FALL 2020 www.dhmin.org
What’s Inside Letter from the President PAGE 2
Summer Fun PAGE 4
A Lasting Legacy PAGE 5
Financial Report PAGE 6
A MESSAGE FROM... “And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.” 2nd Thessalonians 3:13 By now, you have probably received many letters from organizations spelling out the effects COVID-19 has had on their organizations. For many, it has caused staff shortages, drastic changes in day to day functions, and a decrease in charitable contributions. To say that David’s House has not felt all of these as well would be false. Over the past 6 months, we have not been immune to COVID-19. Staff is very busy providing care, disinfecting constantly, and picking up extra shifts when others are sick or forced to quarantine. Residents are finding new ways to enjoy life despite smaller group gatherings, fewer visits, and fewer outings in the community. Our donations for this year are down 20% compared to last year as well. In the above verse, Paul is cautioning the Thessalonians to never be idle. This has not been an issue for us here at David’s House and there is “good” still happening here every day. Staff at all levels continue to step up in new ways to provide quality care, even volunteering to serve in isolation when residents have tested positive for COVID-19. The community has stepped in to provide PPE whenever we have asked, keeping us from running short on supplies that have been difficult to find at times. New donors continue to support David’s House every month, and though overall contributions are down we continue to work hard to keep our expenses down as well. This October, residents have given back to our community by packing weekend meals for students in need through a collaboration with Hand2Hand Ministries. We know that though we may at times be tired of COVID and what it requires, David’s House Ministries’ staff and residents will continue to do good and great things. Thank you for your continual prayer and financial support, this community cannot thrive without you!
Casey Kuperus, President
Upcoming Events Giving Tuesday - December 1st Spring Gala - March 22nd Walk/Ride/Run - September 11th
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WALK/RIDE/RUN
Thank you to all of our sponsors, donors, and participants who helped us raise over $125,000! UNDERWRITER
The DeJong Family FINISH LINE
Boonstra Electric & Plumbing CHECKPOINT
Tubergen Water & Sewer
SUMMER FUN This summer we had a lot of socially distant fun! July 20 - 23 we had our DHM Summer Camp. Although residents were not able to participate in the summer camp activities all together as we had initially planned, staff did an amazing job making sure every day was filled with so much laughter and fun. They got to enjoy campfires and s’mores, water fights and pool time, arts and crafts, and delicious snacks. Along with a few of our outdoor concerts, we also had an outdoor movie night, and enjoyed our annual end of summer luau party.
NEW RESIDENT Meet Linda! Linda moved into House 2 this past June. She was very excited to move to David’s House so she could meet some new friends. Some of Linda’s favorite things to do are listening to music, singing, going for walks, playing Yahtzee and Bunko, and riding her recumbent bike. Her favorite activity at David’s House so far is helping to make Beer City Dog Biscuits with everyone.
Linda, House 2
We are so excited to welcome Linda to the David’s House Family!
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Gifts in Memory of:
Gifts in Honor of: Becky K Bekki L Clyde Sarver Crystal R David & Sandra Hodge Fred C Greg N
Jim Devries Jimmy K Joel M Jon B Kerry R Lisa Glover Matt W
Alex Danigelis Bradley Bull Aunt Peggy Chad Doty Eric Robleske Frank Vigh Glenn Heys
Jay & Lois DeBoer Jean Grace Zandstra John Monk Kevin Heys Mike Postma Theodore N Vaughn Jr Yoko Kido
A LASTING LEGACY For many people, the year 2020 will be known as the COVID-19 pandemic year, but it has impacted David’s House through the death of our founders, Jay and Lois DeBoer. We lost Lois in January and in early May, her husband Jay joined her in heaven. Jay and Lois worked tirelessly in the early days of David’s House, advocating for the need for Christian, specialized care for men and women with developmental and physical disabilities. Over 33 years, Jay and Lois’ labor of love has expanded from one home to 5 homes serving 43 residents. David’s House Ministries and the many lives that have been touched through it, would not be here today if not for the vision and work of both Jay and Lois. Jay and Lois’ daughter, Ann Braford has been a part of David’s House Ministries for over 30 years. Working alongside Jay in the early years and moving into the Executive Director role in later years, Ann has been at the center of David’s House Ministries. In 2018, Ann stepped into a Business Director role. In 2019, Ann moved into a part-time role assisting families and residents with their walk through the community mental health funding requirements. Ann has shown a servant’s heart in her leadership and service to David’s House through these years and David’s House is not the same without her. This past spring, in part due to the COVID pandemic, Ann has transitioned to “retirement.” We miss seeing Ann but know that she will continue to be around to “pick” on her brother! After over 17 years of service, Shane and Melany Metzger will also be leaving the ministry as they move out of the area to be closer to family. Shane and Melany joined David’s House in 2003, serving as the live-in house parents to House 1. Late this summer they even got to relive this experience as they volunteered to move back in for 14 days while the house was on a COVID quarantine. Melany has served as our community living services supervisor. Shane has been our Director of Operations for many years and our success as an organization is largely attributed to the hard work, he has done maintaining our policy and licensing requirements. Jay told us many times that God alone brought the right people and resources to David’s House. We are thankful to God for providing all these individuals who have built a phenomenal team at David’s House to carry on.
COVID-19 impact
230+ 5,860 47,100 6,215 DAYS OF COVID-19
DISINFECTANT
CLEANING WIPES
FA C E MASKS
PAIRS OF
G LOV E S
Your financial support helps cover
weekly expenses for things like this and many more!
15 Packages of Wipes 25 lbs. of Ground Beef 35 Rolls of Toilet Paper 11 Bath Towels A list with some of these items and more can be found on our Amazon Charity List, which can be accessed from our website www.dhmin.org/shop.
*Numbers as of October 15th
Financial Report April 1, 2019 - March 31, 2020
$4,100,000 Budget 39% Donations
19% Overhead Expenses
61% Care Services Income
Fiscal Year 2021 Budget $3,600,000 This year when creating the budget, we looked closely at how to utilize staff and the resources we are blessed with to provide care for residents. In doing this, we were able to reduce our budget by $500,000. This was done without impacting the direct care needs of the 43 residents who call David’s House their home. Thank you for continuing to support David’s House Ministries!
81% Wages/Benefits
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f
RESIDENT SPOTLIGHT Meet Adam! Adam moved into House 3 nine years ago, in July 2011. He has really come out of his shell since then. When he first moved in, he was very quiet and didn’t really want to talk to anyone. It took him almost a year to warm up to some people. But now, he is a social butterfly and loves talking with his housemates and staff. When we asked Adam if he had a best friend at David’s House, he answered without hesitation, “Brenda!” (a House 3 staff member). Brenda says one of her favorite things is coming to work after her day off and hearing Adam say, “I missed you”. Adam is very friendly and sweet with other residents and staff, and he is very polite. When it comes to yard games like beanbag toss and yard darts, Adam is a champion! You can usually find Adam sitting in front of the kitchen window at House 3 looking at his outdoor magazines. When he was younger, Adam used to go kayaking with his dad. He also enjoys watching cartoons with the other residents. Adam loves to eat fruits and vegetables, especially apples.
If you could have any superpower, what would it be? Super strength so I could be big and strong!
STAFF SPOTLIGHT April is our Accounting Manager and has worked at David’s House for four years now. Before coming to DHM, April wasn’t happy working where she was, so she applied to many different places and prayed for a place to belong. She had a lot of offers, but nothing felt like the right place. Then, she interviewed at David’s House! April says what’s made her stay is the people. She says, “I have the ability to do what I do best and be a part of something bigger than myself. It’s not just a job.” Caity, a staff member who has worked with April these last four years says, “Working with April is such a delight! She is incredibly smart and talented at what she does. She also has such a bright and fun personality that keeps the office moving. I would even say that April might be the person in charge around here!” April’s favorite food is always Mexican, and she loves the movie You’ve Got Mail. When she’s not working, April enjoys baking, reading, and trying new foods!
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? There really isn’t a superpower I would choose; they’re all cool. But if I could be any superhero, I would be Batman! He has the ability to fight injustice and has the money to help people.
2251 Hope Grove Ave SW Wyoming, MI 49509-1966
David’s House Ministries | www.dhmin.org
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PULSE FALL 2020
616.247.7861