Access of West Michigan

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Access of West Michigan Access strengthens and develops wholistic solutions to poverty by cultivating equitable systems.

10/12/2026

Three workshops. Countless conversations. One incredible experience!

What a privilege it was to bring our Poverty Education Workshop to Catholic Central for three powerful sessions!

Each workshop created space for meaningful conversations, challenging assumptions, and looking deeper into the systems that shape the lives of individuals and families experiencing poverty.

Our two-hour workshop is about more than awareness. It’s about challenging stereotypes, understanding systemic barriers, and inspiring both internal reflection and external change.

The conversations and engagement reminded us why this work matters so much.

A heartfelt thank you to Catholic Central for welcoming us and making space for learning, compassion, and growth.

Because when we change the way we understand poverty, we begin to change the way we respond to it.

Interested in bringing Poverty Education to your school, organization, congregation, or business?

Contact [email protected].

What could $250 a month help accomplish?It could fund most of an entire online Poverty Education workshop!Our online wor...
10/12/2026

What could $250 a month help accomplish?

It could fund most of an entire online Poverty Education workshop!

Our online workshops cost $300, while our in-person workshops range from $2,000 to $3,000.

In 2025, we reached more than 800 participants through 22 workshops.

Through interactive learning, we challenge stereotypes, examine systemic barriers, and help participants understand the difficult decisions people experiencing poverty face.

Because understanding poverty is an important part of changing how we respond to it.

Your monthly gift helps us sustain this educational work and expand opportunities for organizations to participate.

**Invest in education. Invest in understanding. Invest in our community.**

Become a monthly donor:
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/access-of-west-michigan

Select MONTHLY when donating.

Learn more about Poverty Education:
https://accessofwestmichigan.org/poverty-education/

What does financial security look like?Sometimes it's learning how to manage your money.Sometimes it's understanding you...
10/10/2026

What does financial security look like?

Sometimes it's learning how to manage your money.

Sometimes it's understanding your financial options.

Sometimes it's creating a will or trust so your loved ones have a plan for the future.

These resources shouldn't be available only to people who can afford expensive professional services.

That's why Access offers free financial literacy and life-planning services.

Because building a thriving community also means helping neighbors prepare for their futures.

**Your monthly gift helps us keep these opportunities accessible.**

Support the next 50 years of Access.

Donate here:
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/access-of-west-michigan

Select MONTHLY to become a recurring donor.

🍂 Grand Rapids, let's celebrate together!Join us for an afternoon of fresh food, family activities, local businesses, an...
10/09/2026

🍂 Grand Rapids, let's celebrate together!

Join us for an afternoon of fresh food, family activities, local businesses, and community connections.

📅 October 18 | 2–4 PM
📍 Joe Taylor Park

Bring a friend. Bring your family. Everyone is welcome!

.city.neighbors@baxcenter .resource.center West Michigan Growers Group

10/08/2026

One of three workshops this year, and another already on the horizon for 2027!

What an incredible experience it has been partnering with Bronson Hospital in Kalamazoo to bring Poverty Education into the healthcare sector!

Healthcare professionals see firsthand how housing, transportation, food insecurity, and financial instability affect the people and families they serve.

Our Poverty Education Workshops create space to look beyond individual circumstances and better understand the systems and barriers that shape people’s choices.

The engagement, thoughtful reflections, and insights shared by participants have been incredibly meaningful.

We are especially grateful for the opportunity to build an ongoing partnership with Bronson. With three workshops planned this year and another coming in 2027, we’re excited to continue these important conversations.

Awareness creates understanding. Understanding builds compassion. And compassion, paired with action, can transform systems.

Thank you, Bronson, for investing in this work and the communities we serve together.

Interested in bringing Poverty Education to your organization?

Contact [email protected].

What can $100 a month do?At Access, it can help fund three Good Food Systems trainings.And the impact extends beyond the...
10/08/2026

What can $100 a month do?

At Access, it can help fund three Good Food Systems trainings.

And the impact extends beyond the classroom.

Through our Good Food Systems work, $292,865.98 has passed through Access to partners, farmers, and Fresh Markets.

That's investment in local growers, neighborhood food access, community partnerships, and a stronger local food economy.

We're not simply working to provide more food.

**We're working to build a more equitable food system.**

Your monthly support helps us continue investing in the people and partnerships making that possible.

Become a monthly donor:
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/access-of-west-michigan

Remember to select MONTHLY.

Learn more about Fresh Markets:
https://accessofwestmichigan.org/fresh-markets/

🌱 **Good food. Great neighbors. Growing together!**Join us October 18, from 2–4 PM at Joe Taylor Park for our Fall Harve...
10/06/2026

🌱 **Good food. Great neighbors. Growing together!**

Join us October 18, from 2–4 PM at Joe Taylor Park for our Fall Harvest Celebration!

Enjoy farm-to-table appetizers, family activities, local businesses, and help us dream up our Urban Fruit Orchard!

🍂 All ages welcome. See you there!

.resource.center .city.neighbors

This year changed us.Our funding landscape shifted significantly, and our team went from seven employees to two. This is...
10/05/2026

This year changed us.

Our funding landscape shifted significantly, and our team went from seven employees to two. This is not unique to Access. We have seen many of our partners struggle, suffer, and dissolve.

We had to make difficult decisions and rethink how we deliver our services.

But our commitment to West Michigan hasn't changed.

We're continuing to provide free financial literacy, life planning, Poverty Education, and work toward a more equitable local food system.

We're learning to do things differently while staying rooted in why we started.

And that's where you come in.

**Monthly donors help us plan for the future instead of constantly responding to funding uncertainty.**

As we approach 50 years, we're asking our community to help us build a more sustainable foundation for the next 50.

Will you join us?

Become a monthly donor:
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/access-of-west-michigan

Select MONTHLY to make your gift recurring.

What can $27 a month do?It can help us continue offering FREE financial literacy and life-planning services to our commu...
10/03/2026

What can $27 a month do?

It can help us continue offering FREE financial literacy and life-planning services to our community.

Financial literacy helps people build knowledge and confidence around money.

Our life-planning services help individuals and families prepare important documents, including wills and trusts.

These are resources that can help families plan for their futures.

And we believe access to them shouldn't depend on someone's income.

As Access approaches its 50th anniversary, we're building a community of monthly donors who believe in making these services accessible.

**Your consistency helps us continue showing up for our neighbors.**

Become a monthly donor:
https://secure.givelively.org/donate/access-of-west-michigan

Select MONTHLY when making your donation.

🍂 **Come celebrate the fall harvest with us!**Join Access of West Michigan and the City of Grand Rapids for an afternoon...
10/02/2026

🍂 **Come celebrate the fall harvest with us!**

Join Access of West Michigan and the City of Grand Rapids for an afternoon of good food, local businesses, family activities, and community connections!

📅 Sunday, October 18 | 2–4 PM
📍 Joe Taylor Park, Grand Rapids

Bring your family and neighbors. Let's grow together! 🌱

SECOM Resource Center .city.neighbors

Address

PO Box 6974
Grand Rapids, MI
49516

Telephone

+16167742175

Website

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