Catholic Charities West Michigan

Our Mobile Baby Pantry is on the move! Beginning July 24th, we will be providing diapers and wipes to families at no cost on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Our new location will be in Holland at Saint Vincent de Paul each month (170 W. 13th St. Holland, MI 49423).

Come join us at the Our Lady of Sorrows church festival on July 27 and 28! Discover volunteer opportunities and learn more about the various community resources available at Catholic Charities West Michigan. We hope to see you there!

Our first ever Top Off the Truck event for St. Gianna's No Cost Baby Boutique was a success! Thank you to these incredible sponsors whose support helped us collect diapers for families in need in our neighborhood!

Sun Title
Northpoint Bank
GenAge Center
Krispak Inc.
Comerica
C. A. Carlin
Irwin Seating Company
Solt Family Dental
Kilwins
J. H. Realty
Sharpe Cars
Ada Conservatory of Music
Compass Property Development
Greenridge Realty Inc.
Visual Workplace
Lawn Doctor
Greater Than A Game Hockey
Boochie Bar

We are halfway through our Top Off the Truck event- and our truck is halfway full! Help us fill our truck to the brim from now until 7pm at Sun Title (385 Leonard Street NE, Grand Rapids)!

Today is the day! Join us anytime between 12pm – 7pm today at Sun Title (385 Leonard St NE, Grand Rapids) as we fill our truck to the brim with diaper donations. Bring family and friends to take part in fun giveaways and enjoy tasty treats!

Visit https://ccwestmi.org/top-off-the-truck/ to learn more!

Tomorrow, we Top Off the Truck with diapers for families in our community!

At St. Gianna’s No Cost Baby Boutique, we distribute over 7,000 diapers each week. As we grow and serve more and more families in our community, the need for diapers increases rapidly. Will you help us meet the needs of families in your neighborhood?

On Thursday July 18, join as we Top Off the Truck with diaper donations at Sun Title (385 Leonard St NE, Grand Rapids). Get involved, drop off some diapers, and help support thriving families and childhoods today.

Visit https://ccwestmi.org/top-off-the-truck/ to learn more!

It is always a good day when we can join our friends at FOX 17 Morning Mix! Thanks for having us out to talk about Top Off The Truck! Come out to Sun Title (385 Leonard NE) anytime between 12-7 PM on July 18th to help us fill our truck with diapers for babies & toddlers! 🍼🎉

Coffee Mugshots: July 17, 2024

Today's shot is just a sign, (ok, two signs), that you can help Catholic Charities West Michigan "Top Off the Truck" campaign and provide diapers, formula, and other essentials to local families in need. It's always wonderful when Karol stops by and she gave us all the details. See that and everything else that happened on today's show at www.fox17morningmix.com.

See you tomorrow,

T.

Two days away! Our Top Off the Truck event begins this Thursday, July 18 at 12 pm, and we need all hands on deck!

Know someone who loves helping little ones? Tag a family member or friend below who could help us Top Off the Truck with diapers for families in need!

Visit https://ccwestmi.org/top-off-the-truck/ for more information on how you can get involved to change the lives of parents and their babies today.

Kids invited! Bring your family out to our Top Off the Truck event this Thursday as we collect diapers and recognize your little one's heart for our community. By getting involved in our diaper drive, you become a Champion for Change, leaving a huge impact! Together, we can change the lives of families in our neighborhoods!

Visit https://ccwestmi.org/top-off-the-truck/ to learn more!

We are just three days away from our Top Off the Truck diaper collection event! As we countdown to our big event, we want to share three reasons why your support is so crucial to families in our communities.

Why should you get involved? Because your support…

1. Relieves Burdens - Diapers are a basic need. The cost of diapers can be a financial burden to many families. By providing diapers to families in our community at no cost, we can ease the stress that parents may feel trying to ensure they have the right supplies to thrive.

2. Empowers Parents - By offering parents the proper hygiene products for their children, we can empower them to provide a healthy childhood for their little ones.

3. Comforts Children - With kids constantly growing and changing, it can be hard to keep up. Ensuring children have enough of the right size of diapers can help contribute to the comfort and wellbeing of babies and toddlers.

On July 18, join us with diaper donations at Sun Title (385 Leonard St NE, Grand Rapids) to Top Off the Truck for families in need.

Visit https://ccwestmi.org/top-off-the-truck/ for more information on how you can get involved to change the lives of those in your community today!

"We are so hopeful to welcome another child into our family, and our two sons have been excited for another sibling for years."

Meet Kam and Megan, a loving couple eagerly awaiting the chance to welcome a precious child into their home.

With 11 years of marriage and two adventurous sons, their close-knit family loves to embrace life together. They are constantly active and outdoors, finding every opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends who live nearby.

Kam and Megan look forward to loving, supporting, and growing alongside the child that enters their home.

Learn more about Kam and Megan at https://ccwestmi.org/waiting-family-profiles/.

Happy Fourth of July from all of us here at CCWM! We wish you a fun and safe time with family and friends this holiday!

In observance, Catholic Charities West Michigan offices will be closed today.

Things are smelling really good at God's Kitchen! This morning, Chef Colleen and Javen put together a large, savory batch of quick pickles! These will be served later this month alongside a classic entrée of sloppy joe.

Thank you SalonCentric for your ongoing support for our Confident Kids event! Your generosity helps us inspire children in our communities to embrace their unique identity with a new and fresh haircut, styling, or braiding.

Right now, you can purchase products from a SalonCentric table to donate to our Confident Kids event this August which serves children in our foster care program by preparing them and their families for their next year of school. Thank you SalonCentric for helping kids feel ready and confident for the upcoming school year!

Visit https://ccwestmi.org/confident-kids/ to learn about more ways you can get involved in empowering foster care children in your community today!

In lieu of birthday presents, these two ladies thoughtfully collected diapers and baby supplies to donate to St. Gianna’s No Cost Baby Boutique! Each item you collected serves as a source of hope, comfort, and support to parents and families in need. Thank you for your inspiring compassion and generosity!

Thank you Little Caesars for providing pizza for today's meal at God's Kitchen! With the help of our generous volunteers, we were able to provide our community with delicious slices of pizza paired with a house salad and dessert this afternoon. We are so grateful for your help with feeding our community!

Do you know a pregnant mother in need? Catholic Charities West Michigan has a host of pregnancy services that you can trust. Through our variety of programs, we provide referrals for food, clothing, and other vital resources. We also offer compassionate care from highly qualified counselors who are specialized in working with pregnant mothers and their families.

If you are a woman seeking pregnancy support, healing, or hope, please call 877.673.6338 or email us at [email protected] to be connected with the services you need today.

Visit https://ccwestmi.org/pregnancy-support-services/ for more information.

- Urgent help needed for Brother Rice after a tragic house fire -

Dear Muskegon Community,

Recently, Brother Burrel Rice, a volunteer who serves through our AmeriCorps Senior Companions program, was involved in a tragic accident in which he lost his home and all of his belongings to a fire. Currently in rehab for his injuries, Brother Rice is on the mend, but he faces serious needs as his family prepares to move him into the home and care of his daughter, Cecilia.

Cecilia expressed to us that some immediate needs that they are facing include:
+ Shirts (XL)
+ Pants (36x32)
+ Pajamas
+ Socks
+ Shoes (Men’s size 12)
+ Bed (Twin/Queen)
+ Bed Spring
+ Sheets/Blanket
+ Razors
+ Toiletries

As we wait to receive further updates from Cecilia, we are making efforts to support Brother Rice and his family by collecting donations to ensure he receives the essential items he needs as he recovers. Visit our Amazon Wishlist (https://a.co/6N9kYnv) to purchase donations directly for Brother Rice, or contact Danielle Bucy at [email protected] with any other inquiries on how you can give. We thank you for any help and prayers you are able to offer Brother Rice and his family at this time.

Summer is here and we are in need of comfortable and durable clothing for the boys and girls we serve at St. Gianna's No Cost Baby Boutique.

We are in immediate need of boys clothing from 18 months to 6T including toddler shorts, summer hats, and swimsuits. Can you help us get families the summer clothing they need next week?

Please help us stock up for our families to shop next week. You can drop items off directly to 1400 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids, MI 49503 on Tuesdays 12-3, Wednesdays 12-4, Thursdays 10-1.

Items can also be dropped off at our administrative office Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 3 pm at 40 Jefferson Ave Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or 1720 Park Street Muskegon, MI 49441.

If these times don’t work for you, please contact [email protected] to schedule an appointment. Thank you for supporting our families this summer!

Community and culture play a huge role in learning and development.

Separation from a familiar community or culture can be quite a shock to young children as they grow. In foster care, many children need the familiarity of their communities as they learn to create and nurture relationships.

In Michigan, there is a disproportionate number of African American children in foster care. Over 260 African American children and 100 children of multi-racial backgrounds are in the foster care program in Kent and Muskegon counties alone.

Cultural matching has been found to encourage smoother transitions for children in the foster care process, lowering stress and creating a sense of security among both children and foster parents. Creating safe homes and relatable environments for children in foster care proves vital to their long-term growth and overall well-being.

At Catholic Charities West Michigan, we strive to connect children with loving families and ensure they feel safe and comfortable as they transition into their foster home.

You can become a safe place by opening your home for young foster children in need today. Visit
https://ccwestmi.org/foster-care/ to learn more.

Today on July 19, CCWM recognizes and celebrates the resilience, perseverance, and legacy of the Black community.

Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved peoples in the United States through awareness, restoration, and celebration.

At Catholic Charities West Michigan, we strive to offer resources and services that help contribute to creating a just and compassionate community both today and in our future.

Today we celebrate Bishop Walkowiak's birthday! We are thankful for his years of service to our Diocese and wish him a very special day. Happy birthday, Bishop Walkowiak!

Volunteering is more than just a good act of service. It is life-changing.

Each week, families from all walks of life come to St. Gianna's No Cost Baby Boutique with a variety of needs. From diapers and bottles to baby shoes and toddler clothing, our donations are constantly needing to be sorted and stocked.

On Wednesdays, we have an urgent need for volunteer groups to help us sort, stock, and prepare for these families each week.

We need you and your workplace's help! You can help us supply families in West Michigan with what they need by setting aside a service day for you and your business.

Contact Davina Bryan ([email protected]) to set up a service day for you and your team and get involved in service that changes the lives of those in your community today.

Heavenly Father, you entrusted your Son Jesus to the care of St. Joseph. Bless all fathers and grandfathers as they care for their families. Give them strength and wisdom, tenderness and patience, and the ability to love in a way that reflects your love.

Thank you Kilwins for your generous support this week at St. Gianna's Grand Rapids! This week, we served 91 families and 106 children. Additionally, we were able to provide 8,310 diapers to families with little ones. Thank you for supporting families in your community by providing these vital resources!

Recently, we were able to recognize the retirement of David Sarra and celebrate the impact he has left on his community. David worked with Catholic Charities West Michigan for almost five years. His servant's heart, commitment to helping others and his consistent willingness to go above and beyond were an encouragement to all who worked with him. Thank you David for the time you invested in us and in our community!

Buy One, Give One!

Right now, Meijer is having a BOGO $1 deal for shoes of all sizes. As temperatures warm and families go outdoors, supportive and versatile shoes are needed now more than ever.

Consider purchasing one shoe for you and one for a child in need by donating it to St. Gianna's No Cost Baby Boutique ()! Your support helps families in West Michigan know they are loved, cared for, and supported by supplying essential resources to parents and their young children.

Please help us prepare families for summer this week. You can drop items off directly to 1400 Plainfield Ave Grand Rapids, MI 49503 on Tuesdays 12-3, Wednesdays 12-4, Thursdays 10-1.

Items can also be dropped off at our administrative office Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 3 pm at 40 Jefferson Ave Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or 1720 Park Street Muskegon, MI 49441

If these times don’t work for you, please contact [email protected] to schedule an appointment. Thank you for supporting our families this summer!

Soup’s On For All! is coming up January 29th at The B.O.B.

Don’t miss out on delicious soups from local restaurants, live entertainment, homemade desserts and one fun night! All proceeds benefit Gods’ Kitchen Food Programs.

Tickets are $50 presale and $60 at the door. Visit ccwestmi.org/soupson to purchase tickets now!

St. Gianna's in Grand Rapids and Muskegon are in need of girls and boys clothes size 12 months - 6T, gloves and mittens, large baby blankets, car seat covers and diapers in sizes 4, 5 and 6!

If you're interested in donating any of these items please contact Karol Maurer at [email protected] or 616.356.6207

Thank you to our friends from The Campbell Group - Acrisure Partner for spending the afternoon restocking and organizing with us at St. Gianna’s No Cost Baby Boutique!