Empty Bowls Supports Local Families

This year’s Empty Bowls fundraiser was truly remarkable, showcasing the power of compassion and community. With over 300 attendees and $28,000 raised, this was the most successful Empty Bowls in its 20-plus-year history.

For more than two decades, Empty Bowls has united neighbors around a simple meal and a shared mission—to fight hunger and offer hope. Each handcrafted bowl, decorated by local artists and students, represented the many families across our community who face empty bowls and tough choices every day.

Thanks to this record-breaking generosity, even more children, parents and seniors will have access to healthy, nourishing food. The funds raised will expand food distributions, restock food center shelves with fresh produce and staples, and strengthen emergency food programs for families in crisis. This support means parents won’t have to skip meals, seniors can stretch their limited budgets further, and children can focus on learning instead of worrying about hunger.

We are deeply grateful to every artist, volunteer, sponsor and guest who made this milestone possible. Your generosity proves once again that when our community comes together, Good Happens Here—filling more than bowls, but hearts and homes with nourishment, dignity and hope.

 

OST Programs Growing

The school year kicked off with some exciting new program changes for our Out-of-School Time Programs, acknowledging intentional inclusion of even more youth for the 2025-2026 school year. 

Holton Elementary expanded programming to include kindergarten students and now, also offers before school programming. 

“In an effort to support more students and meet the needs of our families, we recently worked with Project FOCUS to change program times and grade level eligibility. This flexibility has allowed us to enroll more students and offer a before school option for our elementary students,” shares Dr. Adam Bayne, Holton Superintendent.

Parents are also expressing their gratitude for the program. 

“I have two kindergarteners in the Project FOCUS Program at Holton Elementary. This program’s flexible structure has been a game-changer for our family. It has allowed me to keep my job and build my career without the constant stress of rigid schedules. The perfect sync between my work hours and their school days is a gift that has saved me a fortune in daycare expenses and the logistic nightmare of arranging third-party childcare. This freedom has not only supported my professional life but has also brought a priceless peace of mind. My kids’ days are filled with vibrant creativity, from arts and crafts that ignite their imaginations to games like Simon Says that keep them active and engaged. This focus on playful, hands-on learning, where there is no division between fun and education, has cultivated their natural curiosity and turned each school day into an exciting adventure. Project FOCUS is more than just a program and I couldn’t be more thankful for all the opportunities it has brought my family, thank you,” says Nancy Bromley, Holton Project FOCUS parent.

“I have a fifth grader and a first grader who have both been part of Holton’s morning Project FOCUS program, and I’ve never seen them so excited to get up and go to school. My first grader especially loves connecting with older students, and every day they come home eager to share the fun they had—whether it’s stacking cups, building paper chains, playing games, or learning about how everyone brings purpose. Project FOCUS has helped my kids see value in themselves and others. The staff is phenomenal, and my kids are genuinely disappointed on days they can’t attend. It’s truly given our family the best start to each day,” stated Stephanie Callow, Holton Project FOCUS parent.

In addition to the changes at Holton Elementary, Muskegon Heights Academy also launched programming at the middle school for students in 6th-9th grade. They will now serve these youth with enriching activities and programming in addition to kindergarten through 5th grade at Edgewood Elementary. 

Many programs, including Baldwin, Hesperia, Holton and White Cloud, extended programming to include 9th graders as well. This decision will allow many of the same youth who have been enjoying Project FOCUS programming to remain in the program for a longer duration, receive academic support and maintain the strong relationship bonds they’ve formed, both with other students and with staff.

Annual Parks in Focus Trip

A group of Newaygo County youth successfully completed a week-long educational trip to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, maximizing their time at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The trip, which ran from August 12 to 18, was a central component of the TrueNorth Community Services TrueMentors’ Parks in Focus program.

This partnership between TrueNorth and the Udall Foundation is particularly significant: Established in 2007, it is the longest-running Parks in Focus partnership the Udall Foundation maintains outside of its home state of Arizona.

The core mission of connecting youth to nature through photography and stewardship saw significant success. Participants spent the week camping at Hurricane River Campground and engaging in guided programs offered by the National Park Service (NPS) Rangers. Educational programs included the Marsh Trail Guided Walk, the Miners Castle Guided Geology Walk and the popular Shipwreck Coast Guided Walk, which included a climb of the Au Sable Lighthouse. 

Every participating youth earned the official NPS Junior Ranger Badge, completing activities focused on conservation and park history. They also participated in a specialized Fishing Training and Skills Workshop conducted by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Rangers, with all youth able to take home a fishing pole following the training.

The youth also practiced their craft with a dedicated sunset photography session at the Campground beach. As a group, the 12 youth took a combined 5,000+ pictures during the adventure, making the subsequent task of selecting specific images for the exhibit both challenging and rewarding.

“For nearly all of these youth, this trip was not only the furthest away from home they had ever been but also the furthest and longest they had ever been from their families, and they did it all unplugged – without cellphones,” said Chadwick Walenga, TrueMentors Coordinator. “This really is one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that expands so many of life’s horizons and I hope this is just the beginning for them.”

With the successful completion of the trip, the participants are now officially alumni of the TrueMentors Parks in Focus Program and as such, will be eligible to participate (through the age of 18) in alumni outings that happen several times throughout the year at locations closer to home.

The educational journey concluded with a special local event held on September 25th, where the youth unveiled their top photo, which was selected and mounted as a photographic canvas, all while sharing reflections on the trip with family and friends. In attendance were members of the Fremont Area Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), underscoring the vital local investment in the program.

The success of the expedition was made possible through strong collaborative support. Special acknowledgment is given to the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Rangers for their direct, impactful educational programming, and to Fremont Area Community Foundation for their vital financial support of the Newaygo County initiative. The public will be able to view the students’ curated canvases when the exhibit opens at NCCA-Artsplace in Fremont, beginning in February 2026.

Good Happens Thanks to Scholarship Success

Good Happens Here at the TrueNorth Service Center, out in our communities, and at Camp Newaygo, a program of TrueNorth Community Services. Camp Newaygo wrapped up a record breaking summer of serving local campers with scholarship funds from the Fremont Area Community Foundation. 

In total, $59,000 in scholarship funds from the foundation were provided to local families allowing 67 campers to attend Girls’ Overnight Camp and Co-Ed Day Camp. This generous support ensured youth had access to foundational experiences that help them build positive relationships, grow in their independence, strengthen their resilience and demonstrate grit.

Camp Newaygo serves youth from across the state and country in its summer programs and with the support of a variety of additional partners, including The Gerber Foundation, ensures additional scholarship funds are available for youth, regardless of where they are from. Thanks to additional foundations, organizations and individual support, over $122,000 in scholarships were awarded this summer.

Looking ahead to this fall, the Fremont Area Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Committee has supported a Family Event Access Fund for the 2025-2026 season! In the spirit of ensuring everyone can enjoy activities at Camp Newaygo, these funds support scholarships to many of Camp Newaygo’s community and family events. 

We are proud to have a summer camp where good happens for our community, regardless of financial means. If you’d like to support ensuring more folks have access to camp, learn more about giving here.

ENGAGE! Helps Older Adults Find Purpose

“I come in here and feel welcomed and feel like I’m a part of a family. The people, other participants and staff encourage me and are non-judgmental,” says Susan, a TrueNorth ENGAGE! participant. Through the program, which was soft launched earlier this year, Susan has been connected to various art classes and also attends Community Connections’ Drumming All Together. The program is already seeing participant success.

“It wasn’t until I started attending your program at TrueNorth that I realized I could still live my best life and I didn’t have to stop living,” states another ENGAGE! participant, regarding her involvement with the program. 

ENGAGE! is a social prescribing program that connects older adults to community services and activities to enhance their overall health and well-being. The program staff, called link workers, walk alongside them on their journey to help guide the way—on the participant’s terms, at their own pace. The goal is to connect participants to area programming based on their answer to the question “What Matters to You?”. 

This month ENGAGE! officially launches and will be enrolling additional participants into the program. If you know an older adult who is looking for new opportunities, friendship, creative outlets or community involvement, ENGAGE! might be the place for them. Contact Carmen at (231) 924-0641, ext. 111 or TNengage@truenorthservices.org.

 

Join Us as We Fight Hunger

Every day, families in our community face the harsh reality of hunger. Parents sacrifice meals so their children can eat, seniors stretch a single can of soup over several days and hardworking neighbors are forced to choose between paying bills and putting food on the table.

You can be part of the solution. Empty Bowls, hosted by TrueNorth Community Services, is more than just a meal—it’s a chance to come together and make a lasting impact. Guests enjoy a simple lunch of soup and bread and take home a handcrafted bowl to keep as a reminder of the many “empty bowls” in our community.

Your support directly benefits TrueNorth’s Hunger Prevention programs, helping us provide healthy meals to children, families and seniors across Newaygo County.

At TrueNorth, we believe no one should face hunger alone. When neighbors come together—through events like Empty Bowls—we show families that help is here, that they are not forgotten and that we can overcome hunger when we stand side by side.

Thursday, October 9, at the TrueNorth Service Center in Fremont
Friday, October 10, at the VFW Post 4249 in Newaygo
At both locations, soup will be served between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Good Happens Here. Together, we can ensure no neighbor goes hungry.

 

Building Connections

Community Connections has been busy with new and exciting ways to connect this year! Based on input and feedback from program participants, and research from program staff, we are continually trying new programming to help this population feel connected to their community.

Walking All Together takes advantage of a great local resource; the paved, Garfield Township Hall Nature Trail. Every Wednesday, participants join Connections staff for a stroll through nature—utilizing one of the easiest ways to get some exercise and enjoy the great outdoors.

“I started (Walking All Together) to get out of the house… to be healthier. I think it’s great!” – Alice

The Curious Kitchen is a hands-on cooking class which teaches participants interesting and unique culinary creations. Luis recently attended a Curious Kitchen Japanese Fried Rice cooking class, and when asked if he would be able to duplicate the recipe at home, said; “Oh yeah… I got it. It’s all up here now,” pointing to his head.  

One of our newest offerings is a cardio-drumming class called Drumming All Together where participants stand or sit while drumming on exercise balls secured in large buckets – a great workout for both the body and the mind! 

“That (Drumming All Together) is a riot! It’s a good cardio workout and lots of laughs.” – Darlene 

Community Connections continues to innovate and find new ways for the aging population in Newaygo County to connect and thrive. Funding for all Community Connections programs is provided, in part, by Fremont Area Community Foundation. 

 

Equipping Students for Success

Good Happens Here at TrueNorth Community Services — and this week, that good came in the form of 800 backpacks filled with school supplies distributed to local students through the annual Tools for School event.

By the time the school year begins, TrueNorth expects to provide about 1,000 backpacks to students across the area. Each backpack contains age-appropriate supplies to ensure students start school ready to learn, while helping ease the financial burden for families.

“Back-to-school time can be stressful for many families,” said Mark Kraus, Community Liaison and Development Director. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors, partners and community, good truly happens here — and hundreds of kids now have the tools they need to succeed from day one.”

The success of Tools for School is made possible through the generous support of the Fremont Area Community Foundation, The Gerber Foundation and more than 125 individual donors. TrueNorth also recognizes the partnership of Gerber Life Insurance, Nestlé Gerber, ChoiceOne Bank, Edward Jones and Fremont Insurance, whose contributions helped make this year’s event possible.

For many students, these backpacks represent more than just pencils and notebooks — they are a boost of confidence and a reminder that their community believes in them.

 

Summer Blast Success

From visits to the waterpark, nature center and library to going to restaurants, the zoo and museums, the youth who experienced Summer Blast this summer sure had a lot to talk about! And the weekly field trips were at the top of their lists! 

Brothers Brayden and Albert excitedly shared the waterpark as their favorite trip. Their grandma Debi Church expounded on the experience and commented what a blessing the free program was to her family. She mentioned field trips to the zoo and museums and went on to share, “Social security only goes so far, and when you are raising two little ones, deciding what comes first- field trips don’t; TrueNorth made it possible for them to have a good summer, thank you!” Debi praised the program, the safety of the kids and the variety of activities; mentioning opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. 

Summer Blast, which took place at Daisy Brook Elementary, Fremont Middle School, Grant Elementary, Grant Middle School and Newaygo Elementary served 208 youth this summer with academic support, social emotional learning, college & career exploration, activities centered around the arts, agriculture, community engagement, leadership and plenty of recreation indoors and outdoors.

Summer Blast is funded by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education Advancement, and Potential, along with the Fremont Area Community Foundation and private donors. A huge thanks to all our partners for helping make our first season of Summer Blast a huge success!

Verla and Lou

Verla and Lou have lived in their beautiful home overlooking Fremont Lake for 32 years. Lou loves to garden, and for most of their lives, they camped and traveled while living an active, healthy lifestyle. Displayed on the walls are mugs from all 50 states, which they acquired on their travels throughout the years. 

About three years ago, Lou had some kidney surgeries and ended up spending six weeks at Green Acres of Fremont for some post-surgery rehab. It was there they first learned of LifeLink services available through TrueNorth. 

They live in a single story, ranch home, because as Verla put it; “We knew the older age was coming up on us. We didn’t want any steps… well, we have two steps and I thought ‘that’s pretty good, that’s safe’… it wasn’t safe enough though…” she said, referring to a recent fall Lou suffered. 

Verla says having the LifeLink unit provides both of them peace of mind and she recommends it to others. “Every time he goes outside (to garden), he has it on.”

LifeLink units are designed to help people retain their independence and remain at home for as long as they are safely able to, knowing help is only the push of a button away. That is exactly what Verla and Lou are counting on.