My name is Cara and I am a first year member serving at Community Action House. It is located in Holland, but as part of my service, I participate with various committees of the Ottawa Area Housing Coalition which exists to serve all of Ottawa County- including the Tri-cities area of Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg.
If you’re not familiar with this swath of Lake Michigan’s shoreline, each community is unique in atmosphere and population. The Tri-cities area, which is in the north- west part of the county, is a very tight knit community. Holland is in the south west part of the county and because of its larger and more diverse population, it offers slightly more anonymity among its residence, while holding fast to its Tulip Time pride.
Why is this relevant? Recently, I was asked to attend and observe the re-visioning process for the North West Ottawa Area Housing Coalition. The NWOAHC’s purpose is to serve the housing issues that are perceived to be unique to the Tri-cities area. Two years ago, a contentious debate erupted over a proposed shelter project that pitted housing first advocates against proponents of increased shelter beds. Ultimately, the shelter was built and the cohesiveness of the coalition was damaged, significantly. Because of this, the group stagnated and lost sight of a common vision or path forward.
As the first meeting got underway, past tensions and rivaling community identities clouded the renewed common vision that the coalition had met to achieve. Those sitting at the table whose agencies are located in the Tri-cities area were firm in their assertion that their community has housing concerns that are unique and outside of the services already provided. Others at the table were convinced that by tapping into county-wide services and fostering a more collaborative atmosphere, the NWOAHC could better provide for the needs of the area.
The conflict has a continuing impact on my day-to-day activities as an AmeriCorps member. As part of my service, I provide resources and referrals for participants in the HARP program. It is my responsibility to understand the way that the agencies work together. The greatest challenge in assisting participants is when the agencies themselves struggle to understand how they work together, and therefore leave gaps in certain areas and flood others with services.
I have the utmost faith in the coalition’s desire to do the most good and provide the most appropriate services to those who are in need. I simply had to swallow the “ah-ha!” moment when I realized that social service agencies and organizations, like the well-intentioned staff that run them, are not above the influence of human nature. I truly believe that everyone who has an idea about which path to take, as long as it leads to the same destination, is on the right road.
While the ideological divisions were not dissolved, I am hopeful that the next step that the NWOAHC decides to take, can be a step forward together in fighting to end homelessness in all of Ottawa County.
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