Kent County, MI
01/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/16/2025 18:03
Kent County Community Action Newsletter - January 2025
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Dear Community Members, As we come into 2025, we have a lot to be proud of in our accomplishments for 2024. We set many records including over 20,000 rides provided, 113,000 food boxes distributed, 233 homes weatherized or rehabilitated, and over $15 million awarded between direct assistance and community development funding projects. These investments into our community impacted more than 100,000 residents! Now in 2025, we look forward to continuing to deliver exceptional services and programs in Kent County. This month we will deliver our annual performance presentation to members of the Board of Commissioners, where we will highlight the $80 million in funding over the last 5 years that our department has invested back into our community. This work would not be possible without your support, our team members, volunteers, and the numerous partner organizations willing to serve our community.
Sincerely, |
Walk For Warmth
We are excited to host the 37th annual Walk for Warmth on February 22 this year!
The event kicks off with a brief program followed by a short walk dedicated to raising funds for families who need assistance paying their heating bills. All proceeds from the event go directly back to Kent County families.
Anyone can participate by walking, sponsoring, or donating on our website!
When: Saturday, February 22, 2025
8:30 am - Registration
9:00 am - Opening Remarks
9:30 am - Walk Begins
Where: Kent County Community Action Office * 121 Martin Luther King Jr. Street, Suite 110, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
Walk Route: KCCA entrance on Martin Luther King Jr. Street to Division Ave. to Wealthy Street to Jefferson Avenue and back to KCCA.
Why: Heating assistance for Kent County residents is needed now more than ever. As a result of increased pricing and a lagging economy, hundreds of Kent County households struggle to pay for basic necessities like heat. The money raised through Walk for Warmth goes directly to Kent County families in need.
$2.5 Million in Funding To Support Community Services, Housing, Parks & More!
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Attention developers, service providers, and local governments! Over $2.5 million in funding is available for projects supporting community services, housing construction, public parks, and infrastructure improvements! Here's how to apply on our bid opportunities page: visit www.accesskent.com/purchasing :
Local Governments: Submit proposals for public park and infrastructure improvements by contacting the Community Development Division at [email protected]. Don't miss this chance to make a difference in our community! |
Applications and Waitlists
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Applications are OPEN for the following utilities:
Applications are CLOSED for the following:
The first step to apply: call 616-632-7950 and follow the prompts to leave a voicemail on our assistance line. Please speak clearly, include your full name, address, and phone number in the message. Please do not leave more than one message. This will only slow down the process. |
Fair Housing Study and Equity Plan
Kent County, as a recipient of federal housing grants from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is required to actively promote fair housing. To achieve this objective, we are conducting an Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (AI) Study and a Fair Housing Equity Plan (FHEP). These efforts aim to identify and address key issues such as:
- Access to affordable rental and home ownership opportunities
- Housing accessibility for residents with disabilities
- Housing discrimination and related barriers
- Patterns of housing concentration in low-income areas and access to areas of opportunity
The findings from these studies will help shape the County's upcoming 5-Year Consolidated Plan and Annual Action Plan, which guide the use of federal block grant funds. To support this work, KCCA has partnered with ASK Development Solutions and RKG Associates.
We need your input to ensure we fully understand your housing needs and can develop effective strategies to address them using federal grants and other community resources. Your feedback is essential to this process.
Senior Holiday Event
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The KCCA holiday festivities at El Centro (the congregate lunch site) were well attended this year and our participants really had a joyous time celebrating together. Thank you to all the staff who pitched in to help out! One of the highlights of the season was our choir concert. The seniors clapped and sang along to some of their favorite songs and their smiles lit up the room. Want To Support Our Senior Programs? This fall we launched a wish list of desired items like floor cushions, games, puzzles and more. To view our list, visit here. |
Volunteer and Make A Difference
Are you ready to roll up your sleeves, join forces, and be a part of something truly amazing? Whether you're a seasoned volunteer or just eager to make a difference, we are looking for passionate volunteers to lend a hand in our emergency food programs, where you can pack and distribute essential resources to those in need.
Here are the upcoming volunteer food distribution opportunities:
- January 17, 8-10am, 10am-12pm, 12:30-2:30pm - Kent County Community Action Office - 121 Martin Luther King Jr. St. (Outside)
- February 7, 8am-1pm - KCCA Warehouse - 5899 Comstock Park Dr. (Inside)
- February 11, 8am-1pm - KCCA Warehouse - 5899 Comstock Park Dr. (Inside)
- February 14, 8am-1pm - KCCA Warehouse - 5899 Comstock Park Dr. (Inside)
- February 21, 8-10am, 10am-12pm, 12-2:30pm - Kent County Community Action Office - 121 Martin Luther King Jr. St. (Outside)
- February 28, 8am-1pm - KCCA Warehouse - 5899 Comstock Park Dr. (Inside)
- March 6, 8am-1pm - KCCA Warehouse - 5899 Comstock Park Dr. (Inside)
- March 7, 8am-1pm - KCCA Warehouse - 5899 Comstock Park Dr. (Inside)
- March 14, 8-10am, 10am-12pm, 12-2:30pm - Kent County Community Action Office - 121 Martin Luther King Jr. St. (Outside)
To view volunteer shifts for any of these dates and to sign up, visit here. We hope you will volunteer for this opportunity and help our community members, one meal at a time.
We hope you will volunteer for this opportunity and help our community members, one meal at a time.
We want to hear from you!
We welcome your input and ideas on topics you would like us to cover. Please send us any suggestions or questions to [email protected].