Rick and Elaine Yost had never done anything quite like this. Sure, they had been involved with social justice work many times before. As members of First Christian Reformed Church of Byron Center, a big and active faith community in the suburbs, they jumped at the opportunity to branch out in a new area of ministry with the Congregational Partnership Program.
"To be connected to someone who was experiencing homelessness opened our eyes to the fact that this could happen to anyone," Elaine said.
"The CPP's strength-based approach to helping those in need made our experience rewarding," Rick said. "We learned through training and experience how to assist without crossing any boundaries; empowering without enabling."
Kathryn, a single mother of two daughters ages 17 and 7, struggled to keep up with the rent and was evicted from her apartment. For quite a while, she counted on the hospitality of family and friends as she looked for a sustainable job with a sustainable income that would afford her the chance to return to stable, safe housing. Kathryn and her daughters came to the Salvation Army Housing Assessment Program after exhausting all her housing options; the Congregational Partnership Program was a perfect fit to get this family back into stable housing.
A very positive, out-going, and energetic woman, Kathryn was also very appreciative of the Yost's caring partnership through the CPP. "Kathryn was unassuming and very grateful for what she was given," Elaine said. This included rental assistance through CPP and a surprise delivery of groceries from the Yosts when blustery winter weather prohibited Kathryn from getting to the food bank.
Rick recalled a time when Kathryn's younger daughter needed emergency care at DeVos Children's Hospital. "Kathryn thought Elaine would just drop them off," Rick said. Instead, Elaine stayed with them for the duration of the medical visit and then drove them home-for which Kathryn was humbly grateful.
"Kathryn is smart, she's fun, and she is a good mother," Rick said. "Even though she has successfully exited the program, we have mutually expressed the desire to continue our relationship with one another." In addition, First CRC of Byron Center would like to continue its outreach in this ministry. "We are looking forward to another partnership," Rick said.
The success of the Congregational Partnership Program is possible because of the partnership of all those involved: the participants who take the lead in their housing stability; the congregations who provide financial assistance and volunteers to walk alongside participants to encourage and inspire hope; the Housing Resource Specialists at Community Rebuilders who assist with housing and supportive services; and the CPP staff who ensure the program runs smoothly.
There continues to be a great need for rapid re-housing services in Kent County. The CPP looks forward to bringing together more people from various faith backgrounds to help end homelessness in our community.
"To be connected to someone who was experiencing homelessness opened our eyes to the fact that this could happen to anyone," Elaine said.
"The CPP's strength-based approach to helping those in need made our experience rewarding," Rick said. "We learned through training and experience how to assist without crossing any boundaries; empowering without enabling."
Kathryn, a single mother of two daughters ages 17 and 7, struggled to keep up with the rent and was evicted from her apartment. For quite a while, she counted on the hospitality of family and friends as she looked for a sustainable job with a sustainable income that would afford her the chance to return to stable, safe housing. Kathryn and her daughters came to the Salvation Army Housing Assessment Program after exhausting all her housing options; the Congregational Partnership Program was a perfect fit to get this family back into stable housing.
A very positive, out-going, and energetic woman, Kathryn was also very appreciative of the Yost's caring partnership through the CPP. "Kathryn was unassuming and very grateful for what she was given," Elaine said. This included rental assistance through CPP and a surprise delivery of groceries from the Yosts when blustery winter weather prohibited Kathryn from getting to the food bank.
Rick recalled a time when Kathryn's younger daughter needed emergency care at DeVos Children's Hospital. "Kathryn thought Elaine would just drop them off," Rick said. Instead, Elaine stayed with them for the duration of the medical visit and then drove them home-for which Kathryn was humbly grateful.
"Kathryn is smart, she's fun, and she is a good mother," Rick said. "Even though she has successfully exited the program, we have mutually expressed the desire to continue our relationship with one another." In addition, First CRC of Byron Center would like to continue its outreach in this ministry. "We are looking forward to another partnership," Rick said.
The success of the Congregational Partnership Program is possible because of the partnership of all those involved: the participants who take the lead in their housing stability; the congregations who provide financial assistance and volunteers to walk alongside participants to encourage and inspire hope; the Housing Resource Specialists at Community Rebuilders who assist with housing and supportive services; and the CPP staff who ensure the program runs smoothly.
There continues to be a great need for rapid re-housing services in Kent County. The CPP looks forward to bringing together more people from various faith backgrounds to help end homelessness in our community.