Pictured (left to right): Michelle Bryk, Jenny Gomez , Gina Lucia Abbas, Stacy Stout

The Steelcase Foundation is excited to announce our partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and the Women’s Resource Center creating two new positions as part of our $10-million, 10-year Investment in Families Initiative.

The Steelcase Foundation Investment in Families Initiative is a 10-year long effort aimed at bolstering the well-being of Black and Latina mothers in Kent County, partnering with a group of 30 mothers over the 10-year period. By prioritizing the evolving needs of families, particularly those with children aged 12 or younger, the initiative seeks to provide wraparound support to address challenges within the current systems that exist and foster resilience by creating policy change. The Initiative aims to alleviate cognitive burdens, increase economic stability, and empower families to pursue their self-defined goals. By partnering with cohort mothers, community stakeholders, and a research team, the initiative not only aims to enhance individual well-being but also to identify and advocate for systemic changes that better serve Michigan families. Through this multifaceted approach, we endeavor to create lasting positive impacts on family dynamics and community resilience.

“Since announcing the Investment in Families Initiative in early 2024, each month has continued to bring new partners and collaborators to the forefront of this collective effort to reimagine and improve the systems supporting mothers and families,” said Stacy Stout, director of family-centered philanthropy with the Foundation. “With the combined efforts of MDHHS, the Women’s Resource Center and the Steelcase Foundation, we’re thrilled about our recent additions to the team and the promise they hold for supporting the Initiative.”

To extend additional supports to the cohort of mothers in the Initiative, we have partnered with MDHHS to employ a full-time caseworker based at the Women’s Resource Center to support the cohort of mothers participating in the Investment in Families Initiative. Beginning in May, caseworker Jenny Gomez will support both the cohort, as well as the broader Women’s Resource Center clients and work throughout the community. Jenny will be instrumental in maximizing benefits for families, helping to navigate MDHHS systems and policies, receiving and analyzing data from MDHHS, and being proactive in predicting any approaching “benefits cliffs” participants may face.

“When the Steelcase Foundation came to us about the prospect of collaborating on the Investment in Families Initiative, we knew this would be crucial and impactful work”, said Demetrius Starling, executive director for the MDHHS’ Children’s Services Agency. “The work of this Initiative holds immense potential for children and families across the state, and we couldn’t be more excited about the prospect of being part of that positive change.”

Within the Women’s Resource Center, new grant-funded Investment in Families Initiative Coordinator Gina Lucia Abbas will work as a full-time coach, systems navigator, and strategic though partner to the cohort, helping them identify and achieve self-determined goals. Beginning in May, Gina will be responsible for the cohort gatherings, collecting and helping analyze data, sharing insights, supporting the overall Initiative efforts, and maintaining regular contact with cohort partners to offer support and opportunities in service to their goals.
“With the addition of Gina as coordinator, we know our work with the Steelcase Foundation is one step closer to creating lasting impacts for families across West Michigan and beyond,” said Michelle Bryk, program director at the Women’s Resource Center. “We look forward to getting the cohort off the ground in the coming months and watching this Initiative continue to evolve.”

Gomez will be instrumental in maximizing benefits for families, helping to navigate MDHHS systems and policies, receiving and analyzing data from MDHHS, and being proactive in predicting any approaching “benefits cliffs” participants may face.
Within the Women’s Resource Center, Abbas will be responsible for the cohort gatherings, collecting and helping analyze data, sharing insights, supporting the overall Initiative efforts, and maintaining regular contact with cohort partners to offer support and opportunities in service to their goals.

“With the addition of Gina as coordinator, we know our work with the Steelcase Foundation is one step closer to creating lasting impacts for families across West Michigan and beyond,” said Michelle Bryk, program director at the Women’s Resource Center. “We look forward to getting the cohort off the ground in the coming months and watching this Initiative continue to evolve.”

Click here to learn more about the Investment in Families Initiative.