In October, Degáge Ministries, a Grand Rapids nonprofit dedicated to serving homeless and low-income individuals facing hardship, received $200,000 toward its Can You Imagine? A Future Filled With Hope! capital campaign, which will allow Degáge to:

• Increase the number of women it services in its shelter from 40 to 66, and provide beds for women working third shift, currently an unmet need in the city;
• Accommodate women with children in collaboration with Family Promise, providing 12 beds for mothers and children;
• Provide day respite care for 8-10 people daily who need medical oversight or basic care after hospitalization or illness;
• Double the number of women employed by Pauls’ Moms’ Cookies, Degáge’s social enterprise kitchen;
• Provide 1,000 individuals life skills training in partnership with Mercy Health’s R.I.S.E. UP Program, THE SOURCE, and West Michigan Works!;
• Expand its meal service from 120 to 180 patrons each day;
• Increase access to public restrooms from 11 to 21, individual lockers from 114 to 189, private showers from 8 to 14, and washers and dryers from 10 to 17;
• Move its entrance from Division to Sheldon Boulevard to provide a formal, indoor waiting space for its patrons, keeping individuals safe and warm as they await services.

Degáge’s overarching goal for the campaign is to serve more patrons in a more dignified manner. We’re excited to support Degáge in its work to continuing serving homeless and low-income individuals in our community.