The Board of the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation (GHACF) is pleased to announce five fourth-round Community Impact grant awards, totaling more than $160,000, in support of Northwest Ottawa County and our surrounding communities. This includes a $45,275 grant to Opportunity Thrive for its Educator Wellness Coaching Project, aimed at supporting the emotional-well-being of educators in northwest Ottawa County school districts.
Rebekah Schipper, Executive Director of Opportunity Thrive shared that “Over the course of the last decade and especially during the pandemic, the critical work of supporting and guiding students has become more challenging and stressful. This GHACF investment will give educators the opportunity to work with coaches to reclaim their passion and purpose. We are truly grateful for the GHACF’s strong support of educators in districts across northwest Ottawa County.”
The project has three programs to support educators, which include: A Personal Wellness Inventory; Educator Wellness Coaching; and a Coaching Network. The deployment of these programs supports research that highlights a link between the social and emotional well-being of educators and the academic success and social emotional well-being of students.
“Our educators play an integral role in our children’s growth, and we are proud to be able to support them through this grant,” said GHACF President Hadley Streng. “We recognize the importance of providing teachers with the resources to take care of their own well-being, and the Educator Wellness Coaching project fulfills that need.”
Additional Community Impact grants include:
Ottawa County Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Ottawa County GARE Learning Communities of Practice ($20,000)
Ottawa County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office is facilitating the Government Alliance on Race and Equity Learning Communities of Practice (GARE LCoP). This initiative will bring together eight government organizations along the lakeshore to take meaningful steps toward advancing racial equity at the regional level.
Lighthouse Immigrant Advocates (LIA): Operation Afghan Refugee Clinic ($40,000)
LIA serves as the legal services clearinghouse for all Afghan refugee resettlement cases in West Michigan, providing initial case assessment, connection with legal resources, and general case management for each refugee. These funds will support an estimated 75 refugees expected to be resettled in the northwest Ottawa county region.
Reach for Recovery Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) ($40,000)
Reach for Recovery will launch a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD). MAT is used to treat opioid use disorders, sustain recovery, and prevent overdose. This type of treatment is proven to be clinically effective as MAT significantly reduces the need for inpatient detoxification services for individuals. Reach will offer this treatment program at its Grand Haven office.
Harbor Humane Society (HHS): Shelter Improvements ($23,981.00)
Harbor Human Society is updating its shelter to best care for and protect the animals, and the staff that cares for them. Updates include the dog wash station, exam rooms, and flooring.
The Spring 2022 Community Impact grant round pre-applications are due February 9, 2022. Learn more at www.ghacf.org