Neighbors Plus

Last week, Robyn and her Gordeaux Consulting crew came to help Neighbors Plus for the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce Community Impact Day ... it was fantastic! I'm so thankful for them, as well as the other 1,500 volunteers who served other non-profits throughout the city!

Leadership Month 2024 Recap Take a look back at our 2024 Community Impact Day program - with over 1,500 volunteers out making an impact, you won't want to miss this recap!

So very thankful for Robyn and her team today - we got so much accomplished and had so much fun along the way! A big thank you to Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce for Community Impact Day - it was incredible!

The last night of After School Recess was a big success with "Camp ASR" games and dinner - thank you Miss Courtney and Miss Kristi for a great ending to this school year!

Thank you Camp Geneva for such a fun evening!

Stepping into a New and Beautiful Spring
by: Courtney Donker, Kids Hope Director

Last week, I walked out of Lakeshore Elementary with an extra spring in my step. How fitting, as we step into a new and beautiful Spring!

Since I began as Kids Hope Director at the start of 2024, I have been blown away by the people we work with and the students we serve. It is a joy to read the notes from mentors after meeting with their students; a joy to talk with teachers and hear about progress being made; a joy to see prayers being answered. And yet, the unexpected blessing of the welcome extended to me by each of the students in our program has impacted me in one of the most profound ways.

During those first few walks through the hallways at Lakeshore as an unfamiliar face, I found myself aware that the students glancing my way had no clue that I prayed for them by name and rooted for their success. Last week, just a few months after our first introductions, as I made my rounds poking my head into classrooms and gathering spaces, students turned my way and knew that they were looking at someone in their corner. I saw recognition in their eyes as they came to me for a hug or a quick chat and felt myself beaming just like they were. I marveled at the ease of their openness, and how quick they were to offer it. I am reminded of Paul commanding us in Romans to “Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7). And isn’t it true that no one offers a welcome quite like a child?

I am deeply thankful for the consistent love and support Neighbors Plus, Harderwyk Ministries, and Kids Hope USA show to these children. It is because they are wrapped in that safety that they are free to offer welcoming kindness to the people around them. What a beautiful image of the ripple effect of God’s love!

A great way to help those in our community!

ASR and a night at the movies 🍿 -
thank you Miss Dawn for such a fun night!

Such a fun night playing Lucky Charms!