TrueNorth Community Services: Discover positive change

TrueMentors, a TrueNorth community service

Participants from our Parks in Focus and TrueMentors programs embraced winter activities at Camp Newaygo and the Newaygo Welcome Center on February 23. Their day outdoors was arranged by Safe Routes to Health.

Circles Newaygo County: Lola and Her Allies — a Success Story

Lola's story

Circles Newaygo County builds change

About a year and a half ago was when Lola first heard about Circles Newaygo County.

“Everything seemed to be falling apart for myself,” said the working mother of three. “I knew what I wanted. I knew where I wanted to go. But I didn’t know where to start.”

Having grown up in poverty, Lola said she had no concept of saving money to go out and do something fun. Through Circles, she saw a way out with its approach of helping families build self-reliance and prosperity through community support.

After training, as a Circle Leader she gained two volunteer Allies to help her find her way. Paired with Andy, an information technology professional, and Emily, a high school teacher, she found friendship, advice and encouragement. She also expanded her social network with access to theirs.

“Since I came to this program, it has made a tremendous change,” said Lola, who adds her income now exceeds federal poverty guidelines.

Circles Newaygo County is starting its third cohort of Circle Leaders this month; and has graduated two earlier cohorts. For anyone interested in becoming an Ally or volunteering in other ways, call 231.924.0641, ext. 220, or email circles@truenorthservices.org.

Circles is funded by a Fremont Area Community Foundation grant.

Circles Newaygo County: Become an Ally; Share Your Circle

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Safe Routes to Health

Improving Newaygo County's 'well-being and physical activities'

The focus for Safe Routes to Health is straightforward.

“The goal is to improve the health, well-being and physical activities of Newaygo County residents,” said Jocelyn Hayward, AmeriCorps Program Coordinator with the Michigan Fitness Foundation.

Drop-in tai chi classes on Saturday, March 16, and April 27 at Camp Newaygo’s Health & Leadership Lodge are the latest offering for Safe Routes to Health.

White Cloud Fresh Conversations, a nutrition education program for seniors, will meet at 11 a.m. the next two Mondays (March 18 and 25) at the Newaygo County Commission on Aging in White Cloud.

With three AmeriCorps members based at Camp Newaygo, Safe Routes to Health coordinated the Trick or Trot 5K Run/Walk in late October, launched programming in January and is developing more programs.

“We are working diligently to implement community initiatives that improve people’s health,” said Scott Lakin, Senior Program Director at Camp Newaygo.

A Michigan Community Service Commission grant funds Safe Routes to Health, which is also partnering with the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance in Newaygo County.

Safe Routes to Health at Michigan Fitness Foundation, a Michigan AmeriCorps program

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'They move forward with their lives'

Housing assistance is provided in varied ways for those in crisis

TrueNorth Community Services' Housing Assistance programs and services

The requests from people seeking housing assistance oftentimes include pleas and panic.

One couple recently highlighted that. With their home in disrepair, housing and utility payments to be made and hobbled by car repairs, they didn’t know what to do or where to go. A friend of theirs reached out to TrueNorth hoping to find aid.

“We make every effort to understand peoples’ diverse situations and needs, and provide services and/or referrals based on those,” said Diana Hanna, Housing and Family Services Director for TrueNorth.

Our services include homeless prevention, transitional and permanent housing, housing advocacy and education.

For emergency shelter assistance in 2018, we reached 453 individuals.

To help people who are in a housing crisis, TrueNorth collaborates with the West Michigan Housing Network, which serves Lake, Mason, Newaygo and Oceana counties. The network’s toll-free number is 877.446.8730.

"We strive to come alongside the people we serve to assist them as they move forward with their lives,” Hanna said.

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Volunteer with the TrueNorth Food Pantry

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Community Events

Pints and Pottery, March 16
Newaygo Rec-Connect: Tai Chi, March 16 and April 27
Mom and Me Stomp, March 17
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Services, March 18-April 10
TrueNorth Music Scholarship Contest, March 26
Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry, March 27
DTE Energy/emPower Customer Assistance Day — Muskegon Heights, March 28
Circles Newaygo County Big View Community Meeting, March 28
DTE Energy/emPower Customer Assistance Day — Grand Rapids, March 29
Ridge Specialties Spring Tasting and Open House, April 12
TrueNorth Art Scholarship Contest/Exhibit, April 22-25
Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry, April 24
Bowlapalooza 2019, April 25-27
Enchanted Forest at Camp Newaygo, April 27

TrueNorth Community Events Calendar

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