FINANCIAL SECURITY
Creating Stronger Financial Futures—For Every Generation
When you can’t afford the basics, everything else gets harder. Rent or groceries? A job interview or childcare? These are the kinds of trade-offs far too many of our neighbors face every single day.
In West Michigan, nearly 1 in 3 households struggles to make ends meet—and it’s not for lack of effort. People are working, caregiving, trying—but the cost of living keeps rising, and opportunity too often stays out of reach.
Financial security is the foundation. And when that foundation is stable, people can focus on what’s next instead of just surviving today.
We work to reduce the pressure of poverty by addressing the systems and barriers that keep families in financial crisis.
What We’re Tackling
Unstable or unaffordable housing
Limited access to jobs with livable wages
Disconnected support services that are hard to navigate
Overwhelming utility or childcare costs
Because it’s not just about income. It’s about access. It's about systems. It’s about support.
Our work in Financial Security blends immediate relief with long-term momentum. We meet people where they are and help them take the next step.
Here’s how:
Stabilizing Housing
We prevent evictions and help families stay in their homes through programs like our Family Stability Initiative, which offers rental assistance, navigation support, and case management.
Removing Barriers to Work
We invest in workforce development, job placement, and transportation supports—because stable employment is impossible without access to training, transit, and basic supports.
Putting Dollars Back in People’s Pockets
Our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax prep services that returned over $6.9 million to local households last year—money that often goes toward rent, debt, or savings.
Connecting People to Help
Our 2-1-1 helpline provides 24/7 access to housing, food, utility assistance, and more. In 2023, over 78,000 calls came through—many for financial emergencies.
Financial Security isn’t just about surviving. It’s about building something better
When people can breathe—when they’re no longer living on the edge—they can plan. Save. Dream. And participate fully in their families, neighborhoods, and future.
When a family avoids eviction, a child gets to stay in school. When a worker finds a job with benefits, a household finds stability. When people know where to turn, they don’t have to do it alone. Financial security creates a ripple effect that lifts everyone.
Ready to Be Part of the Solution?
Whether you’re a donor, a volunteer, a business, or someone who simply cares—your support helps make these outcomes possible.