My name is Laura and I am a part time Americorps Member serving at West Michigan Therapy in Muskegon Heights. West Michigan Therapy is a nonprofit agency that houses homeless individuals and families through its housing programs. In 2009, there were a reported 2,214 homeless persons in Muskegon County. Of the homeless persons, 710 of them were children. On any given day that year, there were 325 homeless individuals and children in the shelters in Muskegon County. In 2010, West Michigan Therapy's housing programs served 1,321 of the 2,214 homeless persons in Muskegon County which is over half of the homeless served by one agency! The stability of permanent housing with the care of supportive services has given our housing clients new hope and a sense of self-determination.
West Michigan Therapy has had a very positive effect on the community at large and is continuing to receive a high demand of need for housing assistance. However, right now there is a huge gap between State and Federal funding support West Michigan Therapy received to run its housing programs and provide these services in an effective manner, allowing our clients' continuing stability. Without funding support, West Michigan Therapy has created workshops and groups to help serve members in the community by providing them with useful information about resources and housing options in the county. I help facilitate the Housing Stability Workshop which goes over information about subsidized housing lists, food truck information, temp agency lists and information as well as many, many more resources.
Due to this gap in funding, West Michigan Therapy is holding a "Million Quarters Drive" fundraiser with the ultimate goal of raising a quarter of a million dollars to ensure that these housing programs are maintained and expanded to provide essential case management services to families that are homeless or to prevent them from becoming homeless. This fundraiser has many different parts that are working together to raise the money. West Michigan Therapy is participating in food night at some local restaurants, attempting to have high school students sell chocolate candy bars, and planning a sleep out event in the future with all of the high schools in Muskegon County. It mimics the life of a homeless individual with students sleeping in boxes and/or participating in activities that help them understand how difficult it is to be homeless. West Michigan Therapy is also selling years of its history, there are twenty-five, to local businesses that are willing to sponsor and help raise money for the fundraiser. With the help of community members and local students, West Michigan Therapy plans to reach its goal and continue to fight against homelessness.
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