The journey toward creating a home for teen mamas here in Grand Rapids is well underway at our Richmond House! Thanks to some amazing volunteers, the upstairs has been gutted (all the way down to the claw foot tub!) and is now ready for new construction. Plus, Grace's Table received our construction permit for the bathroom last week! 

A lot of work needs to be done before the launch of our Residential Program later this year. If you'd like to help with the renovations, check out our new RENOVATIONS SHOP! Here, you can help cover the cost of getting the Richmond House ready to bring families home. Your support will enable teen mamas and their kiddos to find safe, stable housing and equip them with the skills they need to establish independent, permanent living.   

The city of Grand Rapids is home to many wonderful organizations that serve our community and help to make it a better place. With the launch of our Residential Program, Grace's Table will be joining some other amazing organizations in providing housing and/or services to homeless youth and filling a specific need for pregnant and parenting youth.  If you'd like to learn more about resources for youth homelessness in Grand Rapids, check out some of the organizations below!

1. AYA 

Mission:  We create communities, rooted in belonging, for youth experiencing instability to own their future. 

Vision:  A society where all youth have support, stable housing, and belonging. 

Located on Grand Rapids South East Side, AYA is helping youth in crisis find community and support. This incredible organizations offers youth between the ages of 14 and 24 the resources and help they need while they are experiencing housing instability.  

AYA currently has eight homes that can house 3-4 youths. Their program provides youth the stability they need to reach their goals and eventually move into independent housing. AYA also has a Drop-In center where homeless youth can access showers, meals, laundry facilities, and more.  

Check out AYA's website here: Home - AYA Youth Collective 

2. Arbor Circle 

Mission: To transform the lives of children, adults, and families facing mental health, substance use, and family concerns in a caring partnership with our clients and diverse community 

Vision: to be the leader in providing innovative and proven approaches that help individuals and families experience hope and healing. 

Arbor Circle offers many different programs that benefit youth and families. When it comes to youth facing homelessness, the Bridge of Arbor Circle provides "provides crisis shelter, counseling, case management, group support, youth activities and connections to other needed services." This program serves youth ages 10-17 and is completely free.  

Arbor Circle's main office is located on Grand Rapids North East side. You can learn more about their programs at www.arborcircle.org 

3. Family Promise West Michigan 

Mission: To end homelessness, one family at a time, by engaging faith-based and community organizations to provide emergency shelter and basic needs to families with children who are homeless and to provide additional programs to assist them in finding housing and sustaining their independence. 

Family Promise of West Michigan is helping homeless families by offering prevention, emergency, and affordable housing services. Currently, Family Promise utilizes two programs for offering families emergency shelter- the Interfaith Hospitality Network and Pathway Home. IHN is a program that provides overnight rooms by partnering with local churches. Pathway Home is Family Promise's partnership with Mel Trotter ministries, which provides emergency shelter to families and children. 

Family Promise's Housing and Homeownership program makes it affordable for families to pursue their goal of homeownership.  

You can read more about Family Promise here: www.familypromisewm.org 

4. Covenant House Academy

Mission: The Covenant House Academy schools provide high school dropouts and at-risk youth in our communities with new opportunities to earn a high school diploma, improve their life skills and the academic foundation to continue on to higher education or post-secondary skills training. Aided with a compassionate and caring staff, the schools prevent poverty, underachievement and homelessness - while offering hope, encouragement and a better chance for future success. 

Vision: Covenant House Academy will fulfill its mission of providing educational opportunities to children and youth who are homeless or at great risk. In the spirit of open enrollment, educational services will be offered to all youth who seek help, with a priority of concern and commitment to those for whom no other service is available. We will make every effort to work with their families. We will collaborate with community agencies and associations and actively participate in community efforts to improve the conditions of families and children. We will advocate with and on behalf of youth to raise awareness in the community about suffering. Our mission is based on the belief that all children and youth have the right to an education and to love, respect, and genuine concern. Our individual and shared philosophy will permeate all our activities. 

Covenant House Academy currently has 4 locations, 3 in Detroit and 1 in Grand Rapids. In addition to their physical locations, they also offer a virtual program which many of our teen mamas have been a part of. The Academy serves youth between the ages of 16-22, and allows at-risk students to work towards getting their high school diploma in a safe and supportive environment. Having a diploma can make finding affordable and stable housing much easier.  

 Covenant House Academy is associated with Covenant House Michigan, which provides shelter to youth ages 18-24. Their shelter is

located on the South West side of Grand Rapids and allows youth to stay for up to three months.  

You can learn more about Covenant House academy here: www.covenanthouseacademy.org. For more information on the Covenant House shelter, click here: Grand Rapids, Michigan | Covenant House 

These four organizations are making a big impact on youth homelessness in Grand Rapids. Unfortunately, even with these amazing organizations, options for teen mamas and their families are extremely limited. That's why Grace's Table is excited to house teen mamas starting in 2023. Adding our services will fill a gap that Grand Rapids has been missing for a long time.  

If you want to be part of helping Grace’s Table grow this year, CLICK HERE!