On Thursday, October 22, Camp Newaygo will be celebrating the grand reopening of its Wetland Trail. This trail allows the public to get up close and personal with a natural marvel: the bog.

Keep reading to learn about why the bog matters!

What is a Bog?

Understanding bogs starts with understanding wetlands and peatlands. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or sits at or near the surface, either year-round or during certain periods of the year.

Peatlands are wetland ecosystems defined by a natural buildup of peat, decayed plant material that accumulates under constant water saturation.

A bog is a type of peatland that gets its water exclusively from snow and rainfall. The water and soil is very acidic and anaerobic, or deprived of oxygen. This allows thick layers of peat to build up over time. 

Sphagnum moss and a variety of resilient plant life, including carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants and sundew, typically cover bogs. 

Why are these Ecosystems Important?

These ecosystems act as carbon sinks, storing about a third of the world’s carbon, despite occupying only around four percent of the land surface.

Dominic Uhelski, a fire and wetland ecologist, said this carbon from the atmosphere builds the soil and plant life in peatlands such as bogs.

“It’s basically seeing carbon solidified to help regulate the climate,” he said.

Along with absorbing carbon, Wetland ecosystems act as natural water filters, removing phosphorus, metals and nitrogen.

Rodney Chimner is a professor of Wetland Ecology at the Michigan Technological Institute. He said the ability to process nitrogen and release it back into the atmosphere is specific to these ecosystems.

Bogs in particular also provide habitats for specially adapted fauna like amphibians, invertebrates and various species of birds.

Why is Camp Newaygo’s Bog Special?

Walking the Wetland Trail is an immersive experience. The boardwalk suspends you directly above the bog’s surface, allowing you to interact with a notoriously inaccessible ecosystem. Trees and bushes line the path, opening up to hidden lakes and sprawling natural landscapes.

The trail is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, allowing all visitors the opportunity to trek through the bog.

Uhelski said that this aspect of Camp Newaygo’s Wetland Trail is completely unique.

“I’m not aware of any other bog that has a boardwalk that makes it so accessible for people to actually walk through without having to get their feet wet or damaging any plants by treading on them,” he said.

This rare opportunity nearly came to an end in 2024, when a fire ripped through the bog. The fire destroyed over an acre of habitat area and several hundred feet of boardwalk.

When the fire was put out, Chimner, his former advisor, called Uhelski to Camp Newaygo. As a peatland expert, Uhelski assessed the damage and provided guidance on how to move forward with restoration. 

“Peatlands are perfectly capable of burning under the right conditions, but it can be either catastrophic or it can be renewing for the ecosystem,” he said.

Following a fire, it can take years, decades or even centuries for a bog to recover the carbon lost from burning.

After assessing the damage from the Camp Newaygo bog fire, Camp Newaygo recruited Ryan Caro as the Wetland Trail Restoration Director. 

He and teams of volunteers spent two years rebuilding the trail board by board. Through heat, rain and waist-deep muck, they persisted. 

The plant life is recovering since the fire, as sphagnum moss begins to cover the charred ground and ferns spring from the ashes.

The unique, resilient nature of bogs is truly a natural marvel.

The best way to understand this ecosystem, Chimner said, is to experience it for yourself.

“The more people get out there and recognize them and learn about them, the more they’re going to appreciate them, the more they’re going to want to protect them and keep them safe,” he said.

Moving Forward

The Wetland Trail will be opening for the first time since the 2024 fire on Thursday, October 22. 

Before cutting the ribbon, Camp Newaygo is offering a full day of environmental education and celebration. 

Along with the reopening of the trail, the camp will launch its new Hidden Lake Environmental Center, which aims to provide opportunities for people to find community in the growth of their understanding of the natural world.

“It’s a really special place,” Caro said. “What’s really important is getting people out here and teaching them about it.”

For more information about the Wetland Trail reopening and Hidden Lake Environmental Center launch, visit www.campnewaygo.org/events/wetland-trail-opening 

At TrueNorth, we see the impact food insecurity has on our community, which is why we’re committed to helping our neighbors access nutritious food and the resources they need to build greater stability. 

Continue reading to learn more about the realities of food insecurity.

Defined

When you think of food insecurity, do you think of hunger? If you do, you aren’t alone.

Food insecurity is the lack of consistent or reliable access to enough food for yourself or your family. Being food insecure does not necessarily mean someone is currently hungry, but hunger can be a result of food insecurity. 

But is this really a problem in our communities?

The Data

TrueNorth offers services and programs for regions such as Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana counties. The 2024 Feeding America Map the Meal Gap study estimates that Nearly 1 in 5 people in this five-county service area have experienced food insecurity.

Nationally, it was about 1 in 7 people.

So, food insecurity affects a larger share of people in TrueNorth’s service area than it does nationally. 

The research also shows that approximately 23% of children across the five counties were estimated to experience food insecurity. The national rate was about 19%.

This means that nearly 1 in 4 local children have experienced food insecurity, compared with about 1 in 5 children nationally.

This data shows that food insecurity isn’t just an occasional problem in the community, it affects a significant number of local families, including many children. 

What Does Food Insecurity Look Like?

Food insecurity can be difficult to see. It may look like a parent skipping a meal so their children can eat, a family stretching groceries until payday or a child arriving at school without knowing where their next meal will come from.

Mike Voyt, director of Hunger Prevention services at TrueNorth, said food insecurity can affect people at nearly every stage of life, including children, working families and older adults. Rising costs and rural challenges like limited transportation and access to grocery stores can make it difficult for households to afford enough nutritious food. Many working families may be just one unexpected expense away from having to choose between food and other necessities.

“The reality is that anyone can experience a period when there simply is not enough money to cover every basic need,” Voyt said.

Food assistance helps bridge this gap and provides stability during difficult times. Despite the need, stigma and embarrassment often prevent people from seeking help. Many wait until they are in crisis before reaching out. 

What Impacts does Food Insecurity Have?

While the stress of uncertainty can be damaging in and of itself, there are many other ways in which people are affected by food insecurity on a daily basis.

Proof Food Insecurity Policy Research reports that adults living in food-insecure households are more likely to experience infectious diseases, poor oral health and injuries. They are also more prone to chronic conditions like depression and anxiety disorders, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis, back problems and chronic pain.

For children, a National Library of Medicine study revealed that “experiences of food insecurity impact child development across physical, cognitive and social–emotional domains.”

Voyt said the effects of food insecurity extend beyond individuals, impacting entire communities. 

“These effects ripple throughout the community, increasing demands on schools, healthcare providers, employers and social services,” he said. “Addressing food insecurity is not just about providing food. It helps build healthier families, stronger schools and more resilient communities.”

What Does TrueNorth Offer?

Addressing food insecurity means helping people access food before a difficult situation becomes a crisis.

That’s why TrueNorth is focused on Hunger Prevention Services.

TrueNorth offers a fully stocked Food Center, Weekend PowerPacks, Mobile Food Pantries and a variety of other services to those in need.

How Can I Help?

The amount of food insecurity in our communities demonstrates why community support matters. 

One way to show your support is by attending one of our upcoming Empty Bowls Events. These events aim to raise the funds necessary to keep our various Hunger Prevention Programs running. 

The events will be held from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm on Thursday, October 8 at the TrueNorth Service Center in Fremont and Friday, October 9 at the VFW Post 4249 in Newaygo.

There, attendees will enjoy homemade soup and bread, connect with their community and choose a one-of-a-kind hand-glazed ceramic bowl to take home. Every bowl and every meal helps support neighbors facing food insecurity in Newaygo County.

Pull up a chair and help us fight hunger. Visit www.truenorthservices.org/event/emptybowls and register today.

“At the heart of our Hunger Prevention Programs is making sure children, families and older adults have consistent access to nutritious food,” Voyt said. “We want to help build a community where everyone has access to the food and resources they need to live healthy and stable lives.”

Three of TrueNorth’s main service areas are Housing and Homeless Prevention, Food Insecurity; and Heat and Energy Assistance. People struggling with any, or all of these issues, are also at elevated mental health risks. 

Last month was Mental Health Awareness Month. Continue reading to learn more about the mental health risks associated with homelessness, hunger and utility insecurity and what TrueNorth does to help alleviate them.

Mental Health Effects of Homelessness

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) lists several health risks associated with homelessness. Those impacting mental health include:

• An increased risk for respiratory infections like TB and COVID-19 for those staying in homeless shelters, which lead to stress and exhaustion. 
• Increased risk for mental illnesses, such as anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) due to higher rates of stress, uncertainty and threats to safety while experiencing homelessness.
• Worsening health outcomes, such as severe illness or death, due to barriers to health care, mental health care and other social services.

Sometimes it’s hard to know if the horse is leading the cart or the cart is leading the horse. As stated by Homeless Hub, “people with poor mental health are more susceptible to the three main factors that can lead to homelessness: poverty, disaffiliation, and personal vulnerability.” It begs the question; are people homeless due, at least in part, to their declined mental health, or vise-versa?

Most experts agree; homelessness amplifies poor mental health. The stress of experiencing homelessness often exacerbates previous mental illness and increases anxiety, fear, depression, sleeplessness and substance use. Homeless Hub also reports people who have experienced homelessness at some point in their lives are two to three times more likely to report their mental health as being poor. 

Impact of Homelessness on Children

EBSCO is a leading provider of research databases, e-journal, book collection development and acquisition management and a major provider of library technology, e-books and clinical decision solutions. In an online report on the causes and effects of homelessness, they state, “Homelessness has definite psychological effects, ranging from the detrimental effects of disrupted sleep to the deep psychological trauma inflicted by chronic stress, instability, and exposure to violence.” 

This report also points out several troubling negative impacts on youth; “Homeless preschoolers are more prone to developmental delays in language, motor skills, and social skills. Children who experience chronic stress due to poverty or homelessness have poorer concentration and memory, affecting their ability to learn.”

Additionally, they display more aggression and shyness, have sleep problems, lower self-esteem and experience more disruptions to their education. Homeless children are also twice as likely to experience hunger, which as we previously discussed, has serious negative effects on children’s physical, emotional and cognitive development.

Mental Health Effects of Hunger

According to Feeding America, hunger can cause many mental health problems including depression, anxiety and even posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The USDA says there’s a strong connection between hunger and chronic diseases like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. Poor physical health almost always equals poor mental health.
 
The National Library of Medicine published a report entitled Food Insecurity and Psychological Distress; a Review of Recent Literature. In it, referencing many different sources, they call out several compelling facts. They identified a significant and positive link between food insecurity and depression, anxiety and stress. In one poll from Gallup, results demonstrated a dose-response relationship between food insecurity and poorer mental health. This is a relationship describing how the magnitude of a biological effect (response) changes as the amount or intensity of a stimulus (dose or exposure) increases. As levels of food insecurity worsened (i.e., mild to moderate to severe) so did reported mental health status.

Impact of Hunger on Children

When school age children do not have access to enough nutritious food, they find it harder to concentrate at school. 50% of them will need to repeat a grade at some time during their education. A healthy diet is essential for brain development as well as emotional and mental health.   

The Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth, reports child hunger is a predictor of serious mental health issues. These include depression and suicidal thoughts during late adolescence and young adulthood. It is hypothesized child hunger may be related to depression later in life as a result of nutritional deprivation. 

In Hunger: Its Impact on Children’s Health and Mental Health, the American Academy of Pediatrics states the following; “Compared with pre-school age children with no hunger, severe hunger was associated with higher rates of homelessness (75% vs 48%), more traumatic life events (8.5 vs 6), low birth weight (23% vs 6%), and higher levels of chronic illness and internalizing behavior problems.” 

For both preschoolers and school-aged children, severe child hunger was associated with higher levels of internalizing behavior problems. After controlling for housing status, mother’s distress and stressful life events, severe child hunger was also associated with higher reported anxiety/depression among school-aged children. Mothers with school-aged children who face severe hunger are also 56.2% more likely to have PTSD and 53.1% more likely to have severe depression. The inability to feed your loved ones can have traumatic effects on a person’s mental health.   

Mental Health Effects of Energy Insecurity

In a recent report from Psychiatrist.com we learn about the growing public health concerns of Energy Insecurity. Over 40% of Americans reported at least one form of energy insecurity in 2024. The report states those unable to afford adequate heating, cooling or electricity have twice the risks of poor mental health.  

A comprehensive new analysis published in JAMA Network Open in late October of 2025 shows energy insecurity is not just an economic issue. It is a mental health issue as well. Their findings stated; “In this cross-sectional study of 187 million US adults, individuals experiencing at least 1 form of energy insecurity in the past year had significantly higher odds of reporting symptoms of depression and anxiety compared with individuals without energy insecurity.” 

The study referenced data from nearly 1.14 million responses collected from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey. Collected between December 2022 and September 2024, 22% admitted they were unable to pay a full energy bill. 22% also kept their homes at unsafe temperatures as means to save money.       

Additionally, as people struggle to keep the lights and heat on, they often forgo other expenses like medical care, including mental health treatment. Over a third (34%) cut back on food, medicine or other necessities to cover energy costs. 

Energy-insecure adults lived with 2.29 times greater odds of anxiety and 2.31 times greater odds of depression. Even after accounting for related hardships (such as food insecurity and housing instability), energy insecurity remained a reliable indicator of poor mental health. 

Impact of Energy Insecurity on Children  

Families experiencing food insecurity also often experience energy insecurity. Known as Dual Food and Energy Hardships, it creates undo mental stress on children, causing a number of adverse mental health issues.     

According to a report published by the National Library of Medicine, approximately 10% of households reported dual food and energy hardship. Children experiencing dual food and energy hardship had three times greater odds of withdrawn/depressed behaviors. They also showed four times greater odds of rule breaking behavior.  

Energy insecurity severely impacts children’s mental health, causing higher rates of anxiety, depression and chronic stress. It manifests through fear of utility shut-offs, chronic discomfort from extreme temperatures, and, in many cases, associated food insecurity, leading to behavioral problems and emotional distress.  

What TrueNorth Does to Alleviate Homelessness

TrueNorth’s Housing Resource Center strives to keep families and individuals in safe and affordable housing, while working towards the goal of self-sufficiency.

TrueNorth helps families from low-income households remain in their current housing or to acquire safer, more affordable housing by providing housing assistance with rent payments to prevent homelessness, or secure housing for those in crisis.

TrueNorth is also a designated Housing Assessment & Resource Agency (HARA) for Lake, Mason, Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana counties and a partner of the West Michigan Housing Network.

What TrueNorth Does to Alleviate Hunger

Hunger Prevention Programs decrease poverty and promote prosperity by working to ensure that all people in our community have consistent, dependable access to enough food for active, healthy living. TrueNorth offers a self-select Food Center for area residents. Food Center members have access to services such as cooking classes, nutrition consultations, food preservation resources and referrals.  
TrueNorth also hosts Feeding America West Michigan Mobile Food Pantry distribution at our service center twice a month.

What TrueNorth Does to Energy Insecurity

The stress of food insecurity is often compounded by the looming threat of a utility shut-off, creating a cycle of anxiety that can severely impact mental health. To support those facing these challenges, the emPower heat and energy assistance program offers a vital safety net for qualified families across all 83 Michigan counties. By providing financial aid for heat-related utility bills, deliverable fuels and energy conservation initiatives, emPower helps ensure families can maintain a safe, well-lit, home kept at a healthy temperature alleviating one of the most significant burdens of poverty.

Beyond immediate financial relief, the program provides Self-Sufficiency Services. These services are designed to address the root causes of energy instability by helping participants develop long-term stability. This includes personalized assistance with budgeting, enrolling in affordable payment plans and optimizing energy efficiency within the home. By fostering self-sufficiency, emPower aims to break the cycle of “crisis-to-crisis” living and provide families with the mental peace of mind that comes from predictable, manageable household expenses.

Food insecurity continues to plague Americans everywhere. Large numbers of people regularly access resources at food banks and pantries, like the TrueNorth Food Center. The negative impacts of food insecurity are staggering. They include higher risks of chronic conditions like diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. They also make communities less healthy, productive and resilient. 

Accessing fresh produce is one of the most difficult things for people experiencing food insecurity. It is one of the reasons a program like TrueNorth’s Plant-a-Row for Hunger is so important. It also makes the prospect of home gardening much more appealing and even necessary for those facing food insecurity.  

Continue reading to learn more about the impacts of food insecurity, TrueNorth’s Food Center, their Plant-a-Row for Hunger Campaign and trends in home gardening.  

Hunger in America

The USDA reports nearly 14% of US Households were food insecure at least some time during the year, in 2024. In a report from that year, they define “very low food security” as the more severe range of food insecurity. This is when one or more household members experience reduced food intake and disrupted eating patterns because of limited money or other resources for food. In 2024, 5.4 percent of households experienced very low food security.  

According to Feeding America, in 2024 alone, 48 million people faced food insecurity. Additionally, 50+ million turned to food banks and pantries for help. This includes 1 in 5 children. Children are particularly susceptible to the negative impacts of food insecurity because their brains and bodies are still developing. Among children, food insecurity is associated with higher incidents of several negative health issues. These include anemia, asthma, depression and anxiety, cognitive and behavioral problems and a higher risk of being hospitalized.   

There are a number of reasons for food insecurity. Lack of transit, safe places or good schools can make it harder for families to get the food they need. Low pay, job loss or having a disability can make it hard for even working families to afford enough food. When rent, health care, utility bills and child care cost more, families often have less to spend on food. All of these issues continue to make food insecurity a pressing issue for low-income Americans.

Hunger in Michigan

According to America’s Health Rankings from the United Health Foundation, Michigan ranks 41st in the nation in food insecurity.      

Feeding America reports the food insecurity rate in Michigan sits at over 15%, slightly higher than the national average. This represents over a million and half people. 

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) formally known as food stamps, provides monthly, low-income household benefits. In Michigan, these are typically provided via an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card, known as a Bridge Card. Among food insecure people in Michigan, 37% are above the SNAP threshold. This means even though they are in fact, food insecure, they do not qualify for SNAP assistance.   

Needing assistance and yet not qualifying for it further exacerbates an already untenable situation for many Michiganders. This further stretches already strained budgets and creates even more stress for those involved.   

Hunger Locally

Feeding America reports the food insecurity rate in Newaygo County as 16.3%. They also report over 75% of households as being below the SNAP threshold, meaning they qualify for food assistance. Lastly, they report the annual food budget shortfall in Newaygo County is over $5.1 million. Those are staggering numbers. 

Hunger relief programming at TrueNorth reflects these numbers. Their self-select Food Center averages 7,311 individual assists per month representing 2,041 households. Additionally, the twice-a-month Mobile Food Pantry visits from Feeding America average 735 individuals representing 258 households, per truck.

TrueNorth counts on donations from generous local people to be able to keep the shelves stocked. In an average year, 740,545 lbs. of food is donated, including 5,756 lbs. of fresh produce. In an average year, they distribute 1,118,460 lbs. of food to local people including 157,993 lbs. of fresh produce. Why do we mention fresh produce? Simply because it is the one food item people experiencing food insecurity most need, and are least likely to be able to obtain. 

Fresh Produce 

The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) recommendations for a healthy diet include consuming at least 400 g of a range of fruits and vegetables daily.  

The National Library of Medicine tells us the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend you make one-half of your plate fruits and vegetables. Diets high in fruits and vegetables are widely recommended for their health-promoting properties. Fruits and vegetables have historically held a place in dietary guidance because of their concentrations of vitamins, especially vitamins C and A; minerals, especially electrolytes; and more recently phytochemicals, especially antioxidants. Additionally, fruits and vegetables are recommended as an excellent source of dietary fiber. 

According to The Case for Fresh Produce from Brown University Health, “Fresh seasonal produce is always better for you since it is allowed to ripen naturally, rather than being picked early and sent to stores. Plants that have more exposure to the sun often contain higher levels of antioxidants.” 

It is for these reasons, TrueNorth promotes its annual Plant-a-Row for Hunger campaign. 

Plant-a-Row

The good garden’s tradition of sharing excess with those in need is the impetus for this initiative. TrueNorth asks local farmers and gardeners to consider planting an extra row with the intent to donate the extra produce. Every year, the Plant-a-Row for Hunger campaign brings in over 9,000 lbs. of fresh produce to the Food Center. As previously stated, this is a vital component of a healthy diet. With food costs at an all-time high, these donations are more important than ever.

An additional component of this campaign is donating seeds to local people for gardening purposes. This serves two functions; First, To encourage local gardeners to take part in the Plant-a-Row campaign. Second, To encourage local people experiencing food insecurity to start their own home gardens, often for the first time. Newaygo County is rural and the opportunity to grow one’s own food, in their own yard is possible. It is also a great step towards becoming self-sufficient.  

Home Gardening

According to a study entitled Home Food Gardening: US Market Trends & Opportunities by Freedonia Group, growing fresh produce at home is an increasingly more popular trend, particularly with grocery costs continuing to rise. They report people are planting food gardens for a number of reasons. They believe produce grown at home is healthier and more nutritious, it tastes better, and they want to know where their food comes from. 

This trend has seen a sharp uptick, post-pandemic. The supply shortages that followed  drew increased attention to the potential of home gardening to improve food security and nutrition. 

A report on home gardening published by the National Library of Medicine pointed out a number of interesting and relevant points. In an evaluation of a home gardening initiative in San Jose, CA, participants reported increased vegetable consumption, gardening-related physical activity, cost savings and new and strengthened connections with neighbours. Having a home garden not only provides low-cost fresh produce for your home, it’s also just good for you. Additionally, it is empowering.

A Local Story

Using seeds she received from TrueNorth, Amanda V. and her husband started a home garden… for the first time ever. 

“It gave my husband more of a sense of purpose at home helping the family. A garden was a great way for him to ‘give back’ to his family.”

Together, they grew tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli, cabbage, herbs, and peppers.

“So many peppers! We used all methods to preserve food; canning, drying, freezing, you name it.”

They were even able to provide some of their excess to four other local families in need. 

To learn more about Hunger Prevention services at TrueNorth, including their Food Center and the Plant-a-Row for Hunger campaign, visit www.truenorthservices.org/hunger-prevention-programs.      

National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 by President Richard Nixon, via Proclamation 4288. It honors volunteers and encourage people nationwide to get involved, it has grown exponentially over the years.

Locally, TrueNorth Community Services has been celebrating National Volunteer Week for many years. An agency like TrueNorth wouldn’t be able to accomplish a fraction of what it does without volunteers. 

Continue reading to learn more about National Volunteer Week, trends in volunteering, and the many ways TrueNorth utilizes volunteers.

National Volunteer Week

Points of Light is the world’s largest nonpartisan nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating volunteer service and civic engagement. It enlists nearly 4 million people across 32+ countries every year. Founded by U.S. President George H.W. Bush in 1990, it empowers people to act as “points of light” to solve community problems through volunteering, corporate social impact programs and global network affiliates. It also acts as the primary organizer of National Volunteer Week in the US, encouraging civic engagement and volunteering.
This year’s National Volunteer Week is April 19 – 25. Nationwide, people will be rolling their sleeves up and getting involved in bettering their communities. Points of Light even has an online database of volunteer opportunities available nationwide during National Volunteer Week. April is also Global Volunteer Month, whereby volunteers and volunteering are celebrated all over the world. 

Local Opportunities

During National Volunteer Week, TrueNorth and Camp Newaygo are offering a variety of different ways to get involved. Camp Newaygo has received a mini-grant from the Michigan Community Service Commission to engage youth during Global Youth Service Day. As an Earth Day event, they will be partnering with local businesses and have youth volunteers distributing saplings. Click here for more information on this event. 

TrueNorth will also be conducting a Volunteer Appreciation Week April 19 – 25 to honor and thank their volunteers. As TrueNorth’s new Volunteer Coordinator, Madison Butler gets up to speed, there will be more ways to get involved. Fill out the volunteer interest form to learn more. 

TrueNorth offers many different ways to volunteer, with varying commitment levels. Everything from their Board of Directors, to their walk-in Food Center and from mentoring youth, to weeding gardens. They connect people to a purpose, finding the right place for volunteers to get involved and give back.    

Post-Pandemic Volunteering

According to a 2026 study published by Gallup, nationwide, volunteerism has recovered from pandemic lows. 63% of Americans say they volunteered their time to charitable organizations, a full seven percentage points higher than in 2021. 

The study also shows higher rates of volunteering among middle-aged adults and those with higher educational levels. 

Trends in Volunteerism

Some current trends in volunteerism include shifting toward flexible, short-term and virtual opportunities, with formal, long-term commitments declining and informal, neighborly help-type opportunities increasing. Driven by younger generations (Millennials/Gen Z), trends include skills-based volunteering and high-impact episodic events. 

According to a report on volunteer trends in 2026 from Momentive, we’re seeing shifts driven by three forces;

1. Competition for volunteers
2. Limited resources and staffing
3. Volunteer engagement and retention challenges

As a result of these, successful agencies are implementing recognition and appreciation programs. These give volunteers more tangible feedback on the impact of their time and efforts. Successful agencies are also offering more flexible volunteer schedules and even virtual volunteer opportunities. Lastly, successful agencies are offering training and professional development for their volunteers.  

What Experts Are Saying

Tobi Johnson is a nationally recognized expert, author and trainer in volunteer engagement, who specializes in modern, evidence-based strategies for non-profits. She is the President of Tobi Johnson & Associates and founder of VolunteerPro, an online training community for volunteer leaders. In the podcast titled, The Future of Volunteerism – Trends & Predictions Part 1, Johnson points to the following trends;

• Trend #1: Public Call for Accountability. People desire to volunteer for organizations they can trust, whose ethics and values mirror their own. People are much more apt today, to reward an organization they trust. Conversely, they are much more apt to punish ( i.e., protest or boycott) one they do not. 

“For today’s volunteers, the bottom line is that it’s not just about giving time, it’s about giving it where it truly counts in a place that we trust, in a place that we believe is accountable.” Tobi stated.   

• Trend #2: Resurgence of Mutual Aid Volunteerism. People and communities getting together for mutual aid, to help one another. This really focuses people’s efforts on local networking and problem solving of local needs. 

Tobi continues, “The future of volunteerism lies in our ability to create communities where people feel connected, valued and empowered to make a difference together.”

• Trend #3: Psychological Advances in Community and Belonging. Understanding why people take action (like getting involved as a volunteer or donor).
  
  “What do we know about human motivation now, and what could we know about how people best work in groups to further the greater good?” Tobi shared.

Corporate Volunteerism 

Another interesting and impactful trend is an increase in corporate volunteerism. Corporate volunteering is a company-sponsored program where employees use work hours or company resources to support non-profit organizations or community causes. What began as a slow rebound after the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into one of the fastest growing engines of corporate purpose. According to a 2026 report from Benevity, “corporate volunteer hours are up 175% and unique employee volunteers more than tripled since before the pandemic.”

Some key findings from Benevity’s “The State of Corporate Volunteering 2026; a System Ripe for Reimaging” are of particular interest. While the participation in corporate volunteering is rising, the impact isn’t following, as individuals are giving less time per engagement. While corporate volunteerism is on the rise in general, the needs of nonprofit organizations  both financially and for volunteers, is increasing faster and at a greater rate.   

There are more people taking part in corporate volunteerism, but they are doing so in increasingly smaller amounts of time.

Volunteering at TrueNorth

Last year, 687 400 people gave 21,102 hours of volunteer time to TrueNorth in any given year. Independent Sector, in collaboration with the University of Maryland’s Do Good Institute, determines the annual estimated national and state-level value of volunteer service in the U.S. As of April 2025, they valued the 2024 national volunteer hour at $34.79, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data. Using these numbers, this equates to an approximate salary savings of $734,138 annually for TrueNorth. To say “volunteers are the lifeblood of TrueNorth” is a vast understatement. 

To learn more about volunteering at TrueNorth, please contact Madison Butler at (231) 924-0641, ext. 112 or mbutler@truenorthservices.org. You may also visit truenorthservices.org or click here to view a recent TrueNorth “Good Happens Here” podcast about volunteerism.

Adult-to-youth mentoring isn’t a new idea, but the manner in how it takes place is seeing new methods. The one-to-one mentoring model, considered high commitment – high reward, is still very effective. Group mentoring however, a low commitment – high reward method, is gaining popularity, with male mentors, in particular.

Continue reading to learn more about the importance of mentoring, trends, the shortage of male mentors and the ways you can get involved with TrueMentors.

The Importance of Youth Mentoring

In a ground-breaking, 30-year study, Big Brother Big Sisters of America (BBBSA) recently released some startling data. This study detailed the life-long impacts of mentorship during childhood and adolescence. The study showed an impressive effect on young people’s trajectories. 

Three of the most impactful outcomes reported in this study are as follows;

1. Youth matched with a mentor increased earnings in adulthood and were more likely to experience social mobility. Mentored youth experienced a 15% increase in earnings between ages 20 and 25, and were calculated to earn $56,000 more by age 65 than non-mentored youth. 
2. Mentored youth were more likely to attend college. Youth in this group were 10 percentage points more likely to enroll in college than non-mentored youth. 
3. Mentoring has a very strong return on investment. The cost per mentor-mentee match is relatively low, ranging from $2,000 to $3,000 per year. Since mentored youth are calculated to earn significantly more over their lifetimes, this results in an estimated $7,000 more in tax revenue for the government per individual. Accordingly, the government’s financial gain is two to three times greater than the cost of programming, essentially making mentoring programs self-sustaining. 

This study showed mentorship has a lasting, positive effect on young people’s futures, including educationally, socially and economically. It is also, dollar for dollar, one of the most cost-effective ways to do so. 

Mentoring at TrueNorth

TrueNorth has been offering adult to youth mentoring since 1976. That’s 50 years of local adults coming alongside local youth offering friendship, guidance and direction. While TrueNorth may lack the funding and infrastructure to conduct a large-scale study on the impacts of mentoring, the agency does have half a century’s worth of anecdotal stories. 

“The best thing about having a mentor is… when I don’t have a role model in my family, I can always go to her, because she’s a good role model and she’s always there for me.”
– Riley

“We both like fishing and going out. It’s fun (having a mentor),and you get to go outside and do things you don’t normally do with your mom or your parents.”
– Anthony

The Good News

According to a study from MENTOR, cited by The Chronicle of Evidence-Based Mentoring, today’s youth are more likely to have a mentor. Fifty-six percent of all adults say they had a mentor, compared with 66% of those under 40. The trend is primarily thanks to an increase in programs that facilitate formal mentoring relationships – ones like TrueNorth’s TrueMentors program.    

Youth.gov reports the benefits of mentoring for youth include:

• Increased high school graduation rates
• Lower high school dropout rates
• Healthier relationships and lifestyle choices
• Better attitude about school
• Higher college enrollment rates and higher educational aspirations
• Enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence
• Improved behavior, both at home and at school
• Stronger relationships with parents, teachers and peers
• Improved interpersonal skills
• Decreased likelihood of initiating drug and alcohol use

According to MENTOR:

The Bad News

In the same study from MENTOR, we learn the trend of increased mentorship appears to have stalled in recent years. This reveals yet another impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other societal shifts on today’s young adults. Among Gen Z, particularly its youngest members (those ages 18-21), the presence of mentors appears to have declined.

Men seem to be less inclined to sign up to be a mentor. There are a number of possible reasons for this, which we’ll dive into. 

The Male Gap

There is a clear, statistically-backed shortage of male volunteers and mentors in the United States. This creates a severe bottleneck for boys who need guidance. According to a study by the American Institute for Men and Boys:

• More than 70% of children currently on the Big Brothers Big Sisters waitlist are boys, primarily due to a severe lack of male mentors (“Big Brothers”).
• Men with a bachelor’s degree volunteer at more than double the rate of men without one (42% vs. 19%). 
• Men who are fathers are notably more likely to volunteer (33%) than men without children (24%).
• Men consistently volunteer less than women. In 2023, 27% of men volunteered compared to 32% of women.

TrueNorth’s mentoring program, TrueMentors, sees very similar percentages of male waitlist kids versus females. This mirrors the national averages detailed above.

In a 2024 TED Talk by writer and social scientist, Richard Reeves we learn the lack of male role models extends into professional institutions as well. The share of K-12 teachers who are male has fallen from 33% in the 1980s to just 23% today. Similarly, men only make up about 22% of the workforce in “HEAL” professions (Health, Education, Administration, and Literacy).

One of the reasons the gap in male mentors is so troubling is explained in staggering terms by NYU Professor and Podcast Host, Scott Gallway. In this video, he states the  “single point of failure for a young man coming off the tracks is when he loses a male role model.” 

Galway further emphasizes this point in his book, “Notes on Being a Man” where he highlights; “a ‘five-alarm fire’ for young men, often caused by a lack of positive male role models, which dramatically increases the risk of incarceration over college graduation.”

Why Are Men Hesitating?

Understanding why men aren’t signing up is crucial to finding ways to close that gap. Traditional mentoring models often ask men to sell their “emotional availability”. This is a resource many modern men feel they are low on. Instead, men are much more eager to provide their competence and physical presence. 

Additionally, men often struggle with the indefinite, open-ended timelines of traditional mentoring, or the pressure to be a mentor forever. Lastly, a commonly-cited barrier to male volunteering is an incredibly simple one: no one asked them.

New Trends

To get men on board, successful programs are redesigning their mentoring models. The core thesis driving this shift is that men engage shoulder-to-shoulder, not face-to-face. This means they bond better through construction rather than conversation.

Organizations are moving away from positioning mentors as “therapists”. Instead, they frame the mentor as an “expert” who can immediately deploy and/or teach a tangible skill. Things like basic carpentry, changing oil or wiring a lamp. This frees men from thinking a long-term emotional contract is needed upfront.

To combat the fear of indefinite commitment, programs are utilizing a Task Force model. This is a 6-to-8 week cohort where a group of mentors and youth form a unit (e.g., 3 men + 10 youth) to complete a specific mission. These could be things like clearing a trail or building raised garden beds. In this model, mentoring happens organically within the context of the work.

Programs are also leaning into the Expedition model, which involves challenging outdoor activities like winter camping or kayaking. This gets disengaged men off the couch, validates their physicality and feels like an adventure, rather than a formal meeting.

Group Mentoring

TrueNorth’s internal exploration of Group Mentoring was originally sparked by the specific challenge of recruiting male volunteers, in general. The research quickly revealed this isn’t just a patch for a shortage; it is in fact, a superior relational model. What began as a way to lower the barrier of entry for men, has evolved into a strategy benefitting all mentors and mentees, regardless of gender.

Group mentoring serves as a low-pressure “on-ramp” for men who may feel intimidated by the intensity of one-to-one roles. However, once that infrastructure is built, it creates a richer, more diverse environment for co-ed participation. Men often respond better to a team dynamic. By leaning into that, we aren’t excluding women; we are creating a community-style mentoring environment that is naturally co-ed, which reflects real-world social dynamics.

Adding group mentoring to the toolkit doesn’t take away from one-to-one matches. It expands the menu of how people can serve. The goal is a both/and ecosystem, not an either/or mandate.

A Fun Way to Get Involved

One of the easiest and most-fun ways to support TrueNorth’s mentoring programs is by getting involved in Bowlapalooza 2026. This is TrueNorth’s annual bowling fundraiser. Community members are encouraged to form teams and raise pledges to support mentoring in Newaygo County.

This year’s event takes place at Fremont Lanes on April 16th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm, and April 17th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm or 8:00 – 10:00 pm. Individuals who raise $40 or more will receive two games of bowling with shoe rental, a Bowlapalooza t-shirt and a door prize entry on their designated bowling night. The top adult fundraiser (age 18 and older) will receive the event’s grand prize. Click here to learn more.

To learn more about TrueMentors’ programming or about mentoring visit: www.truenorthservices.org/true-mentors.

Social Isolation is the objective lack of social contacts and relationships. If that’s the problem, Social Prescribing is definitely one of the solutions. Pioneered in the UK, Social Prescribing addresses the root causes of poor health, such as loneliness, debt, or isolation. It does so by focusing on social and emotional needs, rather than just medical symptoms. 

Continue reading more about the health risks associated with social isolation, the history of Social Prescribing and how TrueNorth’s ENGAGE! program is using it to help older adults in Newaygo County build new social networks.  

The UK Model

According to (National Health Services) NHS England, Social Prescribing is a key component of the UK’s Universal Personalised Care. It is an approach that connects people to activities, groups and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.  

Early concepts of Social Prescribing in the UK date back to the 1920’s with the Peckham Experiment. It became more widely recognized in the mid-2000s. Social Prescribing was adopted as a national NHS strategy through their Long Term Plan, beginning in 2019. 

It gained a foothold in the US shortly thereafter with pilot programs like CultureRx in Massachusetts (starting 2019) and the establishment of Social Prescribing USA (SPUSA) in 2022. 

Social Isolation in the U.S.

An overview from the CDC shows us about 1 in 3 adults report feeling lonely, and 1 in 4 report not having social and emotional support.

According to the CDC, individuals most at risk for experiencing social isolation are those with limited or no access to resources. Reasons include living in rural areas, having limited transportation or language barriers. Additional high-risk factors include facing the loss of a loved one, a divorce, unemployment, or having a mental or physical challenge like a chronic disease or condition, or long-term disability.   

Some people groups are more at-risk than others, including older adults, low-income adults, and adults living alone.

The related health risks are substantial, and include increased risks of heart disease and stroke, type 2 diabetes, depression and anxiety, dementia, suicidality and self-harm, and earlier death. 

In one particularly alarming statement from 2023’s “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation” released by the CDC, US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy noted;

“The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.”    

Social Isolation in Michigan

Key Findings on Social Isolation in Michigan (from MichiganMedicine.org):

• Prevalence: In 2024, 29% of older Michigan adults (50-80) reported feeling isolated, and 33% reported feeling lonely some or all of the time.
• Friendship Gaps: While 88% of Michiganders 50+ have at least one close friend, 24% reported not having enough close friends.
• Mental/Physical Health Link: Nearly 50% of older adults with fair or poor mental health reported lacking enough close friends, and more than 7 in 10 reported feelings of loneliness.

Vulnerable Populations: Individuals living below 150% of the poverty line, those with physical disabilities, and those in rural areas face higher risks.

Local Issues and Solutions

Newaygo County is 100% rural, with the entire northern half covered by the Manistee National Forest. It spans over 860 square miles and includes five small towns along with several smaller townships. 

While a beautiful place to live, it also brings real challenges. Extreme weather which drives up heat and energy costs, long distances along dirt roads and a shortage of housing. Additionally, the recent closure of the Hi-Lites Shoppers Guide, which was the primary source of local information for many. 

All of these things and more, combine to make Social Isolation a real threat to our aging population. Many of our older adults are in high-risk categories. These include being low-income, living alone, and having unreliable internet availability and cell phone reception. These, combined with limited or no access to resources and having limited transportation are a perfect recipe for isolation. 

Also, by comparison; neighboring Kent County offers over 200 resources for aging adults, with Newaygo County, only having a few.

The Missing Piece

TrueNorth started their Community Connections program a few years ago. The goal is to offer activities and opportunities for older Newaygo County adults facing social isolation to get connected. It was quickly realized a key component was missing. A connector between those experiencing social isolation and the programs and services available to them, was needed. 

A grant from the Enterprise Foundation offered TrueNorth the finances to be able to start the ENGAGE! Program. This funding, part of their Thome Aging Well Program allowed TrueNorth to hire Link Workers. Their job is to seek out and connect older isolated adults in Newaygo County to programming and social opportunities. These may happen at TrueNorth, or a variety of other local organizations as well.  

How Social Prescribing Actually Works

While the UK model is top-down, with a government-funded healthcare system doing the “prescribing”, it looks and operates a little differently here in the U.S.. 

TrueNorth’s Link Workers work not only with local healthcare providers, but also with frontline workers. These include hairdressers, social workers, pharmacists and anyone else who works with or encounters isolated older adults. 

There are no doctors writing prescriptions for “social interaction” for their patients. Rather, there is a network of concerned citizens referring people to ENGAGE! Link Workers.

Since Social Prescribing is still relatively new to the U.S., healthcare professionals are just now starting to understand the benefits of a holistic approach to their patients’ well-being. Accordingly, they are slowly embracing and utilizing programs like ENGAGE! 

Speaking of ENGAGE!…

The first thing TrueNorth staff ask individuals when they come in is; 

“What matters to you?”, as opposed to“What’s wrong with you?” 

It all starts with a friendly conversation, often over a cup of coffee. Basically, we find out what they want to do, how they can expand their social circle and how Link Workers can come alongside them on that path.

ENGAGE! is that connector piece between isolated older adults and the myriad of opportunities to get involved, meet people and expand their social circles in Newaygo County. This can happen at programming offered through TrueNorth’s Community Connections, in addition to any number of other local organizations, like the Commission on Aging, One Township at a Time, or Wellspring Adult Day Services, just to name a few.    

A Real-Life Story

One woman in particular, who was referred to ENGAGE! by her daughter, had recently lost her husband. As a result, she was withdrawn and isolated without a lot of real-world skills needed to navigate the world. 

A TrueNorth’s Link Worker started working with her to find out what she was interested in. After learning of her lack of knowledge of simple things, like how to put gas in her own car, staff came alongside her and offered education. Initially, she was only comfortable going to one gas station… the one she knew, which really limited how far she was comfortably willing to travel for any reason, much less for social events.  

Today, she attends programming at TrueNorth three or four days a week and has a whole new set of friends and social connections.

How to Get Involved

There are any number of ways to connect, depending on how you want to get involved. For example, If you know an older adult in Newaygo County who is suffering from social isolation, you can contact TrueNorth. An ENGAGE! Link Worker will make the initial contact with that adult and start the process. Additionally, you may refer a relative, a neighbor, a client or a patient. Not only that, but you may even do a self-referral.   

There are also a number of ways to get involved as a volunteer, helping isolated older adults in Newaygo County find new purpose and build new social connections. A socially connected population is a healthy one – physically, emotionally and mentally.  

Visit www.truenorthservices.org/engage or call (231) 924-0641 and ask to speak with an ENGAGE! staff member. 

Every community has moments reminding us who we are at our best. Moments when neighbors step forward for neighbors, when generosity becomes more than a gesture and when hope is strengthened through a collective action. For West Michigan, TrueNorth Community Services’ Day of Giving is one of those moments. 

The TrueNorth Day of Giving is a 24-hour opportunity for individuals, families and supporters to come together around a shared purpose: ensuring that everyone in our region has access to stability, dignity and support. It is not only a fundraiser, it is also a reminder that showing up for one another creates a lasting change. 

TrueNorth’s work reaches deep into the heart of Michigan communities, providing essential services that help people weather difficult seasons and build stronger futures. The Day of Giving is a celebration of that mission, and an invitation for all of us to be part of something bigger than ourselves.

Continue reading to learn more about why TrueNorth’s Day of Giving matters, how it supports neighbors in need and the lasting impact one day of generosity can have on our entire community.

The Mission Behind the Moment

TrueNorth Community Services has long served as a pillar of support for individuals and families facing some of life’s most challenging circumstances. Their mission is rooted in the belief that communities thrive when people have what they need to live safely and fully.

Through programs that address hunger, housing insecurity, youth development and community connection, TrueNorth helps meet immediate needs while also building pathways toward long-term stability. Their work recognizes that hardship is rarely isolated. When someone is struggling with food access, they may also be facing unstable housing, unemployment, or a lack of supportive relationships.

The Day of Giving supports this mission directly. During this focused day of generosity, community members rally around a shared goal, helping TrueNorth continue offering services that change lives every day of the year.

Why Giving Days Matter

Giving days have become powerful tools for nonprofit organizations across the country. Unlike traditional fundraising, which may happen quietly throughout the year, a giving day creates a shared experience. It draws attention, builds momentum and encourages people to act together.

A single donation may feel small, but when hundreds of people give at once, the collective impact becomes extraordinary. These moments remind us that community support is not abstract. It is tangible. It becomes groceries on a table, a safe home, a warm coat, or a resource connection that prevents crisis.

TrueNorth’s Day of Giving reflects this truth: concentrated generosity can strengthen an entire region, ensuring that support systems remain available when neighbors need them most.

Addressing Hunger With Compassion and Action

One of TrueNorth’s most essential areas of work is hunger prevention. Food insecurity remains a serious issue not only nationally, but also in Michigan communities where many families struggle to afford consistent, nutritious meals.

According to data by the USDA Economic Research Service, millions of Americans live in food-insecure households each year, including families with children. Food insecurity affects health, learning and overall well-being, creating ripple effects that can last for years.

TrueNorth responds to this need through food pantries, meal support and hunger-prevention services that ensure families do not have to face impossible choices between groceries and other basic expenses.

For many households, support from organizations like TrueNorth is not simply helpful. It is essential. The Day of Giving helps keep these services available, allowing families to access nutritious food while they work toward stability.

Housing Stability as a Foundation for Hope

Housing is more than a roof overhead. It is the foundation from which people can pursue employment, education, health and stability. Without safe housing, nearly every other part of life becomes harder to sustain.

Research continues to show that housing instability and food insecurity are deeply connected. The Food Research & Action Center explains how families struggling with housing costs are far more likely to experience hunger as well.

Academic research also supports these findings. Studies published through the National Institutes of Health show that housing insecurity compounds other challenges, increasing barriers to health care, employment and long-term well-being.

TrueNorth’s housing support programs help individuals and families find stability, avoid homelessness and move toward self-sufficiency. The Day of Giving helps sustain this life-changing work, ensuring that neighbors have access to safe housing and the resources needed to rebuild. 

Stories That Put Meaning Behind the Mission

Statistics help us understand the scope of community need, but stories help us understand the heart of it.

TrueNorth has shared the experiences of individuals whose lives have been changed through these programs. Participants describe how housing support allowed them to regain independence, attend appointments and feel grounded again. Others share how food assistance became a lifeline during moments when resources were stretched impossibly thin.

These stories remind us that giving is never just about dollars. It is about people. It is about dignity. It is about knowing that in hard moments, someone will care enough to help.

The Day of Giving brings these stories together into a collective effort of compassion, turning community generosity into real outcomes for real neighbors.

The Community Impact of Generosity

TrueNorth’s impact extends beyond meeting basic needs. Their work strengthens the social fabric of communities by creating spaces where people feel supported, connected and valued.

Programs focused on youth mentorship, volunteer engagement and community-building opportunities help ensure that people are not only surviving, but belonging. This kind of connection matters deeply. Social support is one of the strongest predictors of long-term well-being.

When communities invest in one another, they create healthier, safer and more resilient environments. TrueNorth’s approach recognizes that stability is not only material. It is also relational. It grows when neighbors stand together, leaving no one to face hardship alone.

Giving Helps the Giver, Too

The Day of Giving is also a reminder that generosity changes everyone involved.

Research has shown that giving and volunteering can improve mental and emotional well-being. The National Institutes of Health has published findings connecting prosocial behavior with greater happiness, reduced stress and increased life satisfaction.

An article by the Grand Rapids Community Foundation also discusses the surprising ways generosity benefits personal well-being, reinforcing that giving is not only an act of support but also an act of shared humanity.

When people participate in TrueNorth’s Day of Giving, they are part of a cycle of care that uplifts both individuals and communities. Giving creates meaning, strengthens connection and reminds us that we all have something valuable to contribute.

One Day Can Spark Lasting Change

The beauty of the Day of Giving is that it reminds us what is possible when people come together.

One day of generosity helps fund programs that operate all year long. One donation helps a family stay fed. One act of support helps someone remain housed. One community effort helps build a region where fewer people fall through the cracks.

TrueNorth’s Day of Giving is not only about meeting a fundraising goal. It is about meeting human needs with compassion and care. It is about choosing hope, even in difficult seasons.

It is proof that collective generosity can spark lasting change far beyond a single day.

Join the Movement

TrueNorth’s work continues because people continue to show up. The Day of Giving is a powerful reminder that every person has a role in building stronger communities.

Whether you give financially, volunteer your time, or share the mission with others, your participation matters. Each act of generosity helps create a community where more families are stable, more children are supported and more neighbors feel seen and valued.

To learn more, get involved or support future efforts, visit www.truenorthservices.org/dayofgiving

Because when neighbors come together, we do more than give.

We build a community where everyone can thrive.

In every community, young people are shaped by both education and the relationships they form. Whether it’s a coach, volunteer or caring adult, mentorship can fundamentally alter life paths. In Newaygo County, the TrueMentors program demonstrates the powerful impact that meaningful, sustained mentorship can have on youth and on entire communities.

Continue reading to learn how TrueMentors builds connections, why mentoring matters and how Dam to Dam supports local youth.

Building Strong Relationships for Youth

Mentors and communities often describe mentorship as one of the simplest yet most powerful forms of support a young person can receive. A mentor does not need to be a teacher, counselor or expert. A mentor is someone willing to show up, listen, encourage and offer guidance through consistent presence.

For many young people, a trusted adult outside their family can be truly life-changing. Mentorship builds stability, confidence and belonging that can shape a child’s future.

TrueMentors, a program of TrueNorth Community Services, is dedicated to creating these supportive relationships for youth in Newaygo County. TrueMentors matches adult volunteers with children ages five through 14 in one-to-one relationships lasting at least a year.

These steady, consistent matches allow trust to develop over time. The goal is connection, encouragement and reliable support during key years of a child’s life.

Meeting kids where they are

The TrueMentors program offers multiple approaches to mentoring that meet children where they are. In addition to traditional one-to-one matches, TrueMentors supports school-based mentoring opportunities and group mentoring experiences.

Programs such as Lions Together, focus on mentoring young boys in kindergarten and first grade, and TrueBlue Academy, provides mentoring during the school day. This shows how mentorship can be woven into environments where children already spend much of their time.

TrueMentors also offers Parks in Focus®, an outdoor-based mentoring experience that encourages youth to connect with nature while building relationships and confidence through exploration and shared learning.

These programs reflect the understanding that mentorship is not one-size-fits-all. It can happen in schools, outdoors or in everyday community spaces, as long as the foundation of trust and consistency remains strong.

The Long-Term Impact of Mentorship

Personal stories, community experiences and decades of research all show the importance of mentoring. Research shows mentoring relationships improve academic, social, emotional and long-term life outcomes.

A recent article from the Afterschool Alliance highlights 30 years of data demonstrating the lasting impact of mentoring relationships, particularly through programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Youth with mentors experience higher earnings, greater mobility and increased college attendance. These outcomes show mentorship is a long-term investment benefiting individuals and society.

Mentorship and Youth Wellbeing

Mentors provide encouragement during difficult moments, help youth set goals and offer a model of healthy adult support. Over time, these relationships can influence the way young people view themselves and their potential.

Research from MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership emphasizes mentoring supports positive identity development, academic engagement and social connection. Their findings underscore mentorship is most effective when it is consistent, supportive and built on mutual trust.

Mentoring can reduce feelings of isolation, improve emotional wellbeing and foster resilience, especially for youth facing adversity.

Why Programs Like TrueMentors Matter

Despite the proven benefits of mentoring, a major challenge remains because too many young people lack access to these relationships.

National data shows millions of youth grow up without a mentor outside of their immediate family. MENTOR reports approximately 40% of young people reach adulthood without ever having a meaningful mentoring relationship.

This gap is especially significant in rural communities, where resources can be limited and opportunities for structured youth support programs may be fewer. In areas like Newaygo County, programs such as TrueMentors play a crucial role in ensuring young people are not left without guidance, connection and encouragement.

Dam to Dam: A Community Tradition That Supports Mentorship

The broader community strengthens TrueMentors through partnerships, volunteers and fundraising efforts. One of the most well-known and celebrated events supporting TrueMentors is the Dam to Dam Ice Fishing Tournament held at Croton Township Campground.

Dam to Dam is more than a fun winter tradition. It is a community fundraiser with a purpose. Hosted during Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend, when fishing licenses are not required, the event welcomes participants of all ages to come together on the ice for a day of connection, friendly competition and community spirit.

Funds raised through Dam to Dam support youth mentoring across Newaygo County year-round.

Mentoring as a Community Investment

Events like Dam to Dam highlight an important truth about mentorship: it is not only about individual relationships but about collective responsibility.

When communities invest in mentoring, they invest in their future. The benefits extend beyond the mentee and mentor. Strong mentoring programs contribute to healthier schools, safer communities and more resilient future generations.

Mentoring can reduce risky behaviors, improve school attendance and support youth in making positive choices. Over time, these effects ripple outward, strengthening families, workplaces and civic life.

Mentorship is not only about addressing problems but about building potential. It helps children recognize their strengths, explore new interests and envision a future filled with opportunity.

Supporting the Next Generation Through Connection

Mentorship reminds us no young person should have to navigate life alone. Every child deserves to know there is someone in their corner, someone who will listen, encourage and show up.

TrueMentors and Dam to Dam embody this mission by building connections that last far beyond a single season or school year. They represent the belief that when adults invest time and care into the lives of youth, the entire community grows stronger.

Through TrueMentors and Dam to Dam, Newaygo County shows how meaningful connection supports youth.

To learn more about mentoring, visit www.truenorthservices.org/true-mentors.

When the calendar turns, many people shift their focus back to routines, responsibilities and the goals they set for the year ahead. For nonprofits like TrueNorth Community Services, this quieter stretch is a reminder community needs continue regardless of the season or the pace of public attention. Food assistance, housing stability, utility support and youth services remain essential every day, and volunteers play a critical role in keeping those services accessible.

Volunteers are often most visible during large events or busy seasons, but their impact extends far beyond those moments. At TrueNorth, volunteers help ensure neighbors can access support with dignity, consistency and care. Their presence strengthens programs, supports staff and reinforces the idea that no one has to navigate hardship alone.

Continue reading to understand the role volunteers play during quieter times and why community involvement remains so important year-round.

Why Volunteer Support Often Slows While Need Continues

After periods of heightened community engagement, such as the end of the year, volunteer participation often decreases. Schedules fill up, routines resume and the urgency many people feel during the holidays begins to fade. However, the challenges faced by individuals and families do not pause. Requests for food assistance, help navigating utility bills, housing support and youth programming continue steadily and often increasingly.

According to a survey by the University of Maryland’s Do Good Institute, more than 60 percent of nonprofits reported an increase in demand for services in recent years, while many also faced staffing and funding constraints. This gap between need and capacity places greater importance on volunteer involvement, particularly during periods when participation naturally declines. Volunteers help bridge that gap by extending the reach of programs and ensuring services remain responsive and timely.

At TrueNorth, volunteers contribute to the continuity that families rely on. Their support enables programs to remain accessible even when resources are stretched, reinforcing the organization’s ability to meet people where they are.

Where Volunteers Make a Meaningful Difference

Volunteers support many areas of TrueNorth’s work, each contributing to the stability and effectiveness of community services. In food assistance programs, volunteers help maintain operations that provide reliable access to nutritious food for individuals and families. Their involvement ensures food services run smoothly and neighbors feel welcomed and respected when they seek support.

Data by the U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps highlights the scale of volunteer contributions nationwide, estimating billions of hours of service provided annually through formal organizations. This collective effort plays a significant role in addressing food insecurity and other essential needs across communities. Locally, volunteer involvement helps TrueNorth respond to ongoing demand while maintaining a focus on dignity and care.

Housing stability and navigation services benefit from volunteer involvement as well. Volunteers assist with organizing resources, preparing materials and supporting outreach efforts that help prevent housing crises before they escalate. Volunteers assist with behind-the-scenes tasks that keep services running efficiently, supporting staff as they guide families through the application process and next steps. This administrative support helps reduce delays and ensures families can access assistance as quickly as possible. According to a survey by the Do Good Institute, nearly three-quarters of nonprofit leaders report volunteers significantly improve the quality of services provided. This finding reflects what organizations like TrueNorth experience firsthand: volunteer support strengthens programs and enhances outcomes for those served.

Youth and family programs also rely on volunteers to help maintain consistency and connection. Volunteers support activities that provide structure, encouragement and positive engagement for young people and families. These relationships help foster a sense of belonging and stability, which is especially important during times of transition or stress.

Small Commitments Still Create Real Impact

One common misconception about volunteering is that it requires a significant time commitment. In reality, research shows that most volunteers contribute a modest number of hours, yet those hours add up to substantial impact.

At TrueNorth, even a small amount of volunteer time can make a meaningful difference. Consistent support helps programs operate efficiently and ensures participants experience timely, respectful service. Volunteers aren’t required to have specialized skills or long-term availability to contribute; what matters most is a willingness to show up and support the work being done.

Volunteering also offers personal benefits that extend beyond the immediate act of service. According to the Value of Volunteering study conducted by Habitat for Humanity, volunteers often report improved mental well-being, reduced stress and a stronger sense of purpose. These benefits reflect the reciprocal nature of volunteering, where individuals contribute to their community while also strengthening their own sense of connection and fulfillment.

What Volunteers Make Possible

Volunteer involvement strengthens the overall capacity of TrueNorth’s programs. By supporting staff and extending resources, volunteers help ensure more people can access services without long wait times or substantial barriers. This collaborative approach allows the organization to remain responsive to community needs while maintaining a focus on quality and care.

A study by the Do Good Institute reinforces this impact, noting that volunteers enable nonprofits to serve more clients and provide more personalized support. When volunteers assist with essential tasks, staff members can focus their expertise on direct service, advocacy and long-term planning. This shared effort creates a stronger safety net for individuals and families navigating challenging circumstances.

Volunteers also help foster trust and connection within the community. Their presence reflects a shared commitment to supporting neighbors and reinforces the idea that community care is a collective responsibility. This sense of shared purpose strengthens relationships and builds resilience over time

Volunteering as a Path to Deeper Engagement

Volunteering often serves as a gateway to deeper involvement with an organization’s mission. According to the Social Connectedness and Generosity Report, individuals who volunteer are more likely to engage in other forms of support, including advocacy and financial giving. This relationship highlights how hands-on involvement can strengthen long-term commitment and understanding.

At TrueNorth, volunteers often gain insight into the complexities of community needs and the importance of sustained support. This awareness helps build a more informed and engaged community, one that recognizes both the challenges and the solutions involved in addressing local issues.

How to Get Involved

Getting involved with TrueNorth as a volunteer begins with exploring opportunities that align with individual interests and availability. The organization offers a variety of roles that support food assistance, housing stability, older adult programs and youth and family programs. Training and guidance are provided to ensure volunteers feel confident and supported in their roles.

Sharing volunteer opportunities with friends, family or colleagues is another way to contribute. Encouraging others to participate helps expand the network of support and ensures that programs remain accessible to those who need them.

Showing Up When It Counts

Volunteering is one of the most tangible ways individuals can support their community. While the pace of engagement may shift throughout the year, the need for consistent, compassionate support remains. Research consistently shows volunteers strengthen nonprofit organizations, improve service quality and contribute to healthier, more connected communities.

At TrueNorth, volunteers are an essential part of the work being done every day. Their time, care and commitment help ensure neighbors can access support when they need it most, whether someone is exploring volunteering for the first time or looking to deepen their involvement, showing up matters. Together, volunteers and staff help move the community forward, one act of service at a time

To sign up or learn more about volunteering, visit www.truenorthservices.org/volunteer