Meaningful Collaborations Make a Real Difference

Ryann* is a mother of three who recently found herself in a housing crisis. With two children under five years old and nowhere to go, she was at one of the lowest points she had ever been. On top of that, she was trying to navigate COVID-19 and all the complications that go along with keeping her children safe. 

Ryann was able to secure safe shelter through Family Promise of Grand Rapids and at least temporarily had somewhere to go while figuring out the next steps for herself and her kids. While in shelter, Ryann’s family was connected with Family Futures Healthy Families, which matches families with an experienced family support worker. This individual will come to a location of the client's choice to support parents with their child’s development, their family’s health care, and connect them to resources as needed. Ryann was also connected to Grand Rapids Community College's Play and Learn activities which gave Ryann plenty of ideas for continuing her child's developmental growth while in her vulnerable state. 

The family has since secured housing and will be exiting shelter to their own home in the next few weeks. Ryann is looking forward to continuing her work with Family Promise in the organization's Welcome Home program as well as staying connected to the resources she was able to engage in while in her housing transition.

*Names changed for privacy.