What's New

Letter from Executive Director

The U.S. Census Bureau shows the number of Grand Rapids residents in extreme poverty -- at $10,325 or less for a family of four and half the federal poverty line -- climbed from 13,957 in 2000 to 22,497 in 2007, a 65 percent increase. That number represents 12.3 percent of the city's population. Michigan’s rate of extreme poverty jumped from 6 percent in 2006 to 6.5 percent last year.

Eight years ago, the rate was 4.8 percent. 

The number of people in poverty increased by 45,000 during 2006-07. The child poverty rate increased from 17.8 percent to 19 percent between 2006-07, while the national rate stood at 17.6 percent. 

Michigan was the only state in the United States where poverty rose and incomes fell in 2007.  These are the families we serve through Urban Family Ministries; men, women and children who aren’t sure where their next meal will come from.  They struggle to develop any kind of what many of us would consider “normal” in their daily schedules.  Although they may live just a few miles from families living well above the poverty line, somewhere along the line, poverty became their life experience.   They struggle to remain in their homes, pay utilities and many aren’t sure how they will feed and clothe their children.  

Among those hit hardest are women and children.  And, at UFM we are committed to caring for “the least of these.”  Not because we think they are less.  We happen to think they are fantastic!  We care for them because that’s what God has called us to do.   While all of us are affected in some way by current economic conditions, it is difficult for us to even begin to imagine what it’s like to wake up in poverty and realize your circumstances may only get worse today.

Yet, in the midst all of these heart breaking statistics and troubling facts, isn’t it good to know we serve a loving God who is bigger than poverty and declining economic conditions?   Through UFM, we have a unique opportunity to help meet very real, basic needs and share a message of hope that is powerful enough to change the story of their lives. 

Isaiah 40:31
But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary.
They will walk and not faint.

May God Bless You,

Scott and Amy

Volunteer  Spotlight ~ Cornerstone Leadership Journey

Melissa Kersjes is an English and Journalism major at Cornerstone University who plans to graduate in 2009.  Since her freshman year she has been involved with Leadership Journey, a program that connects the children of Urban Family Ministries with mentors from Cornerstone University for a few hours every week. We sat down with her for an interview…

Q. How did you get involved with Leadership Journey?
A. I came to visit Cornerstone on a Family Orientation Day and they gave a presentation about Leadership Journey.  It sounded like something I would love to do to get more involved at Cornerstone and with the community. 

Q. What is your role in Leadership Journey?
A. I began volunteering my freshman year and loved it.  I got involved the next year as a sophomore peer mentor, or Sherpa as we call them here at Cornerstone.  I got involved my senior year as a “Sirdar” dealing with the behind the scenes logistical side of things, as well as being a mentor to the Sherpas.  I wanted to stay involved my senior year and became a facilitator, a position also held by faculty members. 

Q. What do you hope to accomplish by working with the Urban Family Ministry kids?
A. Our group hopes to show them the love of Christ.  By spending time with them, and being an example we will, hopefully, be a light in their lives.  We also want to show them a good example of what college life looks like so they will want to attend. 

Q. What do you like most about working with the kids from Urban Family Ministries?
A. I love seeing the joy on the kids’ faces and the change that takes place from the beginning of the year to the end – especially as they grow from year-to-year.  You can just tell how we’re making an impact on them.  Being a part of Leadership Journey has opened my eyes a ton and taught me many things, especially patience. 

Q. What do you think their greatest need is?
A. Their greatest need is to be loved, consistently.  People come in and out of these kids lives.  If we can be there for them, even if it is just for a few hours every week, it shows them that there can be consistency. 

Q. How do you think Leadership Journey will affect their lives?
A. I think it will show them people care and it will also show them what college can be like.  Having worked with some of the same kids for a few years in a row now, I know it influences their decision to attend college in the future. 

Q. What do the kids need after Leadership Journey to implement what you are teaching them?

Recent Happenings/Volunteer Opportunities

Tabernacle Community Church Praise Team – Country Style
The praise team of Tabernacle Community Church led children from Baxter Neighborhood into the throne room of God with songs of praise – country style!   The kids enjoyed giving God praise, eating some great food and fellowshipping with adults who were there to meet them and spend time with them.       

Calvary Church Young Married’s Group
Team Up to Transform
Camp Scott-E
Wow!  When a group of determined,young Christians decide they are going to tackle a project they mean business.  Approximately 20 members of the Calvary Church Young Married’s small group came out to spend a few days at Camp Scott-E.  They used their gifts and talents to tackle electrical, clean-up and several other projects bringing us much closer to our goal of having our first group of campers experiencing the love of Jesus through spring and summer camp in 2009.   

Current Class Schedule at UFM Youth Center
Our outreach through classes continues at our Youth Center in the Baxter Neighborhood. 

Women's Cooking Class and Bible Study: Tuesdays, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm
Art Class for Kids: Tuesdays, 3:45 pm to 5:00 pm and Cornerstone Students are also teaching a class from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.
Woodshop: Wednesdays, 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm

If you have any interest in helping with these classes or have an interest in starting a new class using your God-given skills, contact Jim Hoffman at jhoffman@urbanfamilyministries.org.

Saturdays - Reaching Hundreds of Kids Weekly

Super Saturdays at Calvary Church are up and running again for the school year in full force!  This is one of the most important ways we connect with hundreds of kids from urban neighborhoods consistently to share the love of Jesus.  Volunteers are needed to help with transportation, Bible lessons, crafts and game time.  If you’d like to get in on the fun, contact Jim Hoffman at jhoffman@urbanfamilyministries.org.

GR Public School Volunteers Needed

Did you know we are currently serving hundreds of kids through programs held at Grand Rapids Public Schools?  Volunteers are needed for a variety of positions including Character Counts library time (a one-hour weekly commitment with all materials supplied), classroom helpers, and drivers willing to transport students to the Leadership Journey program that brings kids from urban neighborhoods to Cornerstone University for a few hours a week. 
For more information contact Noelle Gable at ngable@urbanfamilyministries.org.  

Prayer Partners Needed

We send out regular prayer updates because God hears our prayers and responds!  We see the evidence every day.  Our goal is to add at least 30 new prayer partners this school year.  Please contact Erin Hoeksema at ehoeksema@urbanfamilyministries.org or visit our prayer support page to learn more.   

Two Easy Ways to Shop and Support UFM:
Save the Dates!  D&W School Days Program in November
Shop at your neighborhood D&W Fresh Market during November 23-29, and 2 1/2% of your purchases will go to Urban Family Ministries. Simply give the cashier UFM's school Group ID #95968 (cashiers can look up school group codes) and the 2 1/2% donation will automatically be credited to UFM's account. 

E-scrip Christmas or Anytime Shopping Online or at Several Retailers
Shop for items you use every day and donate to UFM at the same time through E-scrip! Visit www.escrip.com to enroll.  Register Urban Family Ministries as the group you wish to support, using our name or our Group ID #500015944.  Then shop on-line at www.shopping.escrip.com or look-up a list of local retailers.  Up to 16% of your purchase will be donated to Urban Family Ministries. 

You can also donate online or, send a financial gift to: 

Urban Family Ministries
543 Eastern SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503