Local Resources

We want to be clear: we are not in the business of making referrals. But we do believe that resources should be readily accessible to our neighbors. There are two major “one stop shops” for the kinds of help most people are likely to need:

2-1-1 is the Heart of West Michigan United Way’s First Call for Help.
3-1-1 is the City of Grand Rapids’ help line for city services.

There are also a couple more directories that are useful for some folks:

The Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan coordinates referrals to programs receiving Senior Millage dollars at 616-456-5664.
If you have Priority Health Medicaid, Molina Medicaid or are uninsured living in Kent County, you can self-refer into HealthNet of West Michigan. Call their Community Healthcare Access Program (CHAP) directly at 616-726-8204. CHAP assists adults and children in maintaining their health and understanding how to navigate the healthcare and social service system. The program provides a connection to community resources and case management. They are open Monday thru Thursday 8:30 am to 5 pm and Friday 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Some types of services are easy to find in the neighborhood:

Income and Employment

*NEW* October 2022 Job Training opportunities compiled by BSW Intern Hannah DeVries.
Thierica is always hiring.
Opportunities for employment can be found along North Monroe, including Gill Industries, Autodie, Granger, and Embassy Suites.
Just across Sixth Street Bridge, Women’s Resource Center helps women learn new skills and strategies to find meaningful employment.
Medical Mile features Grand Rapids’ largest employer, Spectrum Health.
Plus, you can search jobs on MiTalent.org and brush up your skills with Michigan Works.

Education

Coit Creative Arts Academy – a rare IB Elementary School in Michigan – and East Leonard Elementary are located in our neighborhood.
Students advance through Riverside Middle School to Union High School.
Various programs are in place to assist with their continued learning at GRCC.
Post secondary students pursuing health careers may study at GVSU. That university has completed its master plan for building a health campus in our neighborhood.
Michigan State University College of Human Medicine also trains medical students on Medical Mile.
We are close to both the Grand Rapids Public Library’s downtown and Van Belkum branches.
Neighbors can improve their reading or speaking skills at the Literacy Center of West Michigan.

Health

Low-income residents can find quality healthcare just north of the neighborhood at Catherine’s Health Center.
Cherry Street Health Services operates a dental center at Belknap Commons.
The North End Wellness Coalition e-publishes a bimonthly newsletter of healthy activities taking place in the Belknap and Creston neighborhoods. You can also visit the North Quarter Pathways.
Communitea Wellness
Community Pharmacy
Healing Touch Transformational Bodywork

Early Childhood

Spectrum Health’s Maternal Infant Health Program can help during pregnancy.
Great Start to Quality and First Steps Kent have resource lists to use after birth.
For child care close to home, Belknap Child Development Center is located at Belknap Commons.
Early Childhood Learning Laboratory at Grand Rapids Community College is a non-profit organization under the auspices of the Grand Rapids Community College. The program serves children six weeks to six years of age. Infants and toddlers attend on a full-time basis, while preschoolers attend a minimum of two days per week.
Play and Learn (part of GRCC’s Early Childhood Learning Laboratory) is a collaborative, community-based partnership to enrich the quality early learning experiences of young children by strengthening the skills of early childhood caregivers and educators.
The YMCA now offers a Child Development Center at Monroe Community Church.
A little farther afield is Apple Tree Early Care and Preschool-Monroe (Creston Neighborhood by Riverside Park).

Food Security

Fresh foods are regularly available outside the ROCK adjacent to Coit Church (600 Lafayette).
St. Alphonsus has a Food and Clothing Center just outside the neighborhood (224 Carrier).
WIC and food stamps are two critical public resources.
Find mobile pantries and more through Feeding America West Michigan.

Coffee Shops and Restaurants

For some critical topics, we have to look a bit farther afield:

Housing

For tenants:

Tenants and Landlords, A Practical Guide.
The Fair Housing Center.
Information on service animals.
Housing vouchers from the Grand Rapids Housing Commission.
The 61st District Court offers an Eviction Prevention Program in partnership with The Salvation Army and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

For homeowners:

The City of Grand Rapids’ Housing Rehabilitation Program and Lead Hazard Reduction.
Home Repair Services’ free classes and/or receive income-eligible services.
Low-income home owners can file for a Property Tax Poverty Exemption with the City annually.

Both:

Get The Lead Out.
The Home Improvement Reference Center from MeL.org.

Financial empowerment

Four credit unions are located in/near the neighborhood:
Plus ATMs accessible at:
- 1140 North Monroe
- 819 North Ottawa
- 450 Michigan
Find new articles and classes at MSU Extension.
Plus Money Smart courses from the FDIC.
Inner City Christian Federation offers homebuyer education.

Other

Resolve disagreements with the Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan.
Hope Network offers services in a number of areas.

If you are a resident, property owner or local business and would like something added, let us know!

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