This Mother’s Day & Beyond

Looking for unique gifts for your mom this Mother’s Day? Search no further than these meaningful gifts in the Inspiring Hope Giving Catalog!

The Inspiring Hope Giving Catalog features representative items from TrueNorth’s program areas to purchase in honor of loved ones. Each gift in the catalog represents the real needs of our community, showing what our neighbors need and what can be done to help them.

When you purchase a gift for your loved one this Mother’s Day, you will also receive a card to personalize and give to them. Your mom will feel appreciated knowing her gift will make a positive difference in the life of one of her neighbors.

Make two caring gifts at once, one to your mom and the other to those in need, when you select gifts from our Inspiring Hope Giving Catalog. From Protecting a Child and Inspiring Young Artists to Guiding a Family to Success and Distributing 250 Meals to the Hungry, you will find the most meaningful gifts for your loved one.  Click here to learn more.

Help Celebrate National Volunteer Week

“I think just helping people, and it’s pretty amazing how grateful most people are,” says TrueNorth volunteer, Randy Kinsey, about his favorite part of volunteering. “I’ve just been blessed my whole life, and I just like to try and give back to the community.”

Randy has been volunteering in TrueNorth’s Hunger Prevention Programs for over four years. From being the friendly face greeting Food Center participants to stocking the Food Center and packing Weekend PowerPacks, Randy is a passionate and reliable volunteer.

Randy first came to TrueNorth after retiring to Hesperia. He wanted to find a way to give back to the community–helping those in need get back on their feet. Volunteering has always been important to Randy as he volunteered at a variety of organizations before retirement, such as Habitat for Humanity and various soup kitchens.

Feeding the hungry has always been a passion for Randy, which is why he continues to volunteer with TrueNorth’s Hunger Prevention programs. Being able to meet this essential need for the community has been the most rewarding part for him. Randy says, “To see the smile on people’s faces and to see their gratitude and know that you’re doing something for people that really need the help…it [TrueNorth] is such a blessing for the community.”

Besides seeing the impact his volunteering and TrueNorth’s programs has on the community, Randy has grown as an individual throughout his time at TrueNorth. He enjoys making people feel welcome and reassures those who struggle to ask for help.

“It’s made me a better person by helping other people,” says Randy. He continues to make an impact as he encourages people at his church to volunteer at TrueNorth and has even helped lead a fundraising project there to purchase coats for TrueNorth’s Coats for Kids.

Randy has volunteered over 300 hours at TrueNorth and is looking forward to continuing. He is grateful for the opportunity to make a positive difference in people’s lives and encourages anyone who is interested to do so as well.

Next week is National Volunteer Week–showcasing the vital work of volunteers and how everyone can make a difference in their community, just like Randy. “I just highly encourage it [volunteering]. It’s just, to me, it’s a life-changing experience to be able to give back and help other people,” says Randy.

You can help celebrate National Volunteer Week in a number of ways. From thanking a volunteer to volunteering yourself, you can make a positive difference in someone else’s life. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at TrueNorth, contact Volunteer Hub Coordinator, Charlie Forbes, at cforbes@truenorthservices.org.

Find Adventure Close to Home This Summer

Summer will be here before you know it. With school out until August, families will be looking for ways to keep kids busy and enjoy sunny days. Camp Newaygo has been providing outdoor, adventure co-ed day camp programs to the community since it became part of TrueNorth Community Services in 1996. Thousands of local boys and girls have played, fished, hiked, and enjoyed their local great outdoors with Camp Newaygo.

This summer at Camp Newaygo’s Day Camp promises to be just as fun, with each week centering around a theme. The summer will kick off with Animals Week – campers will meet camp animals, search for creatures in their natural habitats, and end the week with a trip to John Ball Zoo. Local budding scientists can join for a heart-pounding week of awesome explosions, rockin’ rockets, and electrifying gizmos and gadgets during Boom and Zoom Week. Whether wielding a paintbrush, rocking out with a drumstick, or conquering projects with a hammer, campers’ creativity will run wild during Dream It, Build It, Play It Week. Camp Newaygo also hosts two weeks of Spanish Immersion Day Camp – one of the only programs like it in the midwest, right here in Newaygo County. 

On top of engaging, new theme activities every week, each day is filled with classic outdoor adventures. Campers can hike through camp’s bog, ride a tube behind the speedboat, paddle a canoe, and ride a 1000’ zipline. There’s daily time at the lake to swim or build sand castles and moments of guided free play for campers to interact and engage in creative, imaginative play. Campers can even participate in optional Thursday overnights and cook over a campfire. All of the activities and experiences are planned and led by trained staff to ensure campers don’t just have fun but also build social emotional skills, appreciate the environment around them, and have a sense of community. Amanda Ferner, long time Day Camp parent and director of The Ark in Fremont said:

“We started attending Camp Newaygo’s co-ed day camp summer of 2021 and have returned every year since! They have convenient drop off and pick up times for working families. My child loves that he is able to spend time outside, swimming, exploring the woods, learning about the weekly theme and of course shopping at the camp store! It’s a very affordable option this summer for any school age child!” – Amanda Ferner

TrueNorth Community Services, Camp Newaygo, and local funders believe these experiences are important for all children to have. Scholarship applications, for students living or attending school in Newaygo County, are also available online or can be mailed to you. In 2023, over $10,000 in Day Camp scholarships were provided to children in Newaygo County. If your children, grandchildren, or kids you know would love to spend part of their summer at Camp Newaygo. Go to campnewaygo.org/co-ed-day-camp to learn more about dates, themes, and the cost of camp.

STEAM Challenge Engages 161 Kids

Every year, TrueNorth’s Out-of-School Time students take part in the STEAM Challenge, focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math in a hands-on approach to creative problem solving and critical thinking.

161 students from all 13 of TrueNorth’s Project FOCUS and Project FOCUS Rural Grit sites, along with nearly 100 adults (staff, judges and parents), took part in this year’s challenge, held at Hesperia High School on Saturday, March 9th. Students participated in a series of judged challenges and projects which included building challenges and art projects, all centered around this year’s theme – Food Truck Frenzy! Students built models of food trucks, created their very own original recipes and created food-themed works of art.

“This year’s STEAM Challenge was filled with impressive submissions from talented students, a beautiful display of cooperation amongst school districts, and fantastic community support – more community and family attendees than any year in the past!”
– Danielle Siegel, Project FOCUS Director

STEAM-related programs expose students to “big-picture” concepts seen in real, physical environments. They help foster a creative approach, encourage creativity, improve social skills, develop curiosity and critical thinking and help make students more adaptable to a wide range of situations and challenges. Additionally, STEAM projects require students to solve problems in a hands-on way, using skills, technologies and core curriculum in new, exciting and fun ways.

To see a complete list of winning students, click here.

Welcome Carmen and Hannah

TrueNorth recently welcomed two new members to their Board of Directors. Carmen Faulkner (pictured left) and Hannah Harrington (pictured right) joined the Board in February, adding to the existing nine members. Both entrepreneurs, Faulkner the owner of River Stop Cafe and Harrington the owner of Third Coast Creative, are a great addition to the Board, as they bring experience in communications and marketing, community involvement and volunteerism. 

Both residing in Newaygo, and graduates of Newaygo Public Schools, Faulkner and Harrington are devoted community members who are excited to give back in a tangible way by advocating for people and services needed in our communities.

As individuals who are open-minded, and who come to TrueNorth with many life experiences, we are excited to have them join us. Please help us give a warm welcome to both Carmen and Hannah as they take action and begin their journey on the board. To view the entire Board of Directors click the button below.

Vicente Becomes a Leader at Parks in Focus

Vicente has been a part of Parks in Focus at TrueNorth Community Services for over four years. From being a participant to becoming a returning leader, Vicente has stepped outside of his comfort zone and become a leader for the other kids.

Parks in Focus is an outdoor youth mentoring program. Kids like Vicente go on outdoor trips to connect to nature through photography while also receiving additional support from TrueNorth staff and volunteers. Vicente has grown as a person and leader through the additional support and experiences from the program.

“It was one of the first times that I stepped out of my boundaries or outside of my comfort zone,” says Vicente about his first experiences at Parks in Focus. Going on the week-long trip for the first time was both exciting and nerve-wracking for Vicente because it was the longest he’d been away from his family. But by the end of the trip, Vicente felt accomplished. 

Throughout his time in the program, Vicente has become more curious and well-spoken. He enjoys learning new photography skills while interacting with kids he may otherwise have never met. Having the support from TrueNorth staff and the other kids in the program enabled Vicente to thrive as he went on many trips over the years.

Vicente flourished through these experiences as he connected with the other kids and became a role model for them. Dawn Dechand, a long-time volunteer for Parks in Focus, has seen Vicente grow over the years he’s been in the program. Now that he’s a returning leader, Dawn has enjoyed working with him as they both support the new kids in the program.

“It’s really nice to see how they grow  into their ability to lead and be role models for other kids, Vicente is a really great example of that,” says Dawn about her experience with Vicente in the program. “He was a really good example of how the returning leaders really developed into being great people, great leaders.”

Vicente’s positive attitude as a returning leader has helped create a community in Parks in Focus. Not only has he helped everyone get involved in the activities, but he also has grown in his own leadership skills that will set him up for success beyond Parks in Focus.

When reflecting on his favorite parts of being a part of Parks in Focus, Vicente says, “I love just walking around, taking pictures and going on hikes, but I also love the small community that we have. I love the way the workers interact with the kids and then I love the way the kids get along.” 

Click here to learn more about Parks in Focus and TrueMentors.

Landen Builds Friendships at TrueBlue Academy and Parks in Focus

Being involved with both TrueBlue Academy and Parks in Focus at TrueNorth Community Services has had a positive impact on Landen’s life. From starting in both programs to today, Landen has grown out of his shell as he’s made new friends in the programs.

Landen first became involved at TrueNorth in the Parks in Focus program. Seeing new places and experiencing nature with kids like him has helped Landen open up. While at first it took Landen some time to become comfortable around others, once he got to know the other kids better, he began to flourish in the program.

Landen did not have any experience with photography before Parks in Focus. But during his time in the program, he grew in his skills and enjoys photography in and outside of the program. 

Not only has Landen learned applicable skills in Parks in Focus, but he has also grown through his time in TrueBlue Academy. Having more opportunities to connect with other students has helped Landen grow as a person and leader.

“You get to learn more about people,” says Landen. “I got to be a lot more social and made a lot more friends.” Overall, Landen has thrived in both programs as he builds friendships and gets out of his comfort zone.

Click here to learn more about Parks in Focus and TrueBlue Academy.

Danny Builds Confidence in Herself at Parks in Focus

Being a part of Parks in Focus has helped Danny feel more comfortable around others. Not only has Danny come out of her shell, but she has also formed new friendships with different kids throughout Newaygo County in the program.

Parks in Focus is an outdoor youth mentoring program. Kids like Danny go on outdoor trips to connect to nature through photography while also receiving additional support from TrueNorth staff and volunteers. Having this added support system has helped Danny better connect with those around her.

“The program has helped me get out of my comfort zone,” says Danny about the impact being in Parks in Focus has had on her life. “Before I was in Parks in Focus I used to get really nervous around people, but now that’s kind of calmed down and I’m not really nervous.”

The new experiences Parks in Focus provides helps Danny leave her comfort zone in a safe environment. Many of the other kids have similar experiences as Danny and are able to grow together throughout their time in Parks in Focus.

Dawn Dechand, a long-time volunteer for Parks in Focus, has seen Danny’s growth throughout the time she’s known her. Even in the week-long trip, Dawn saw Danny build confidence and become more comfortable with everyone in that short period of time.

Dawn says, “Danny definitely gained in confidence and being herself…You definitely saw Danny get comfortable and having meaningful conversations with people as the week progressed.” Having time to build relationships while experiencing new things with the other kids has enabled Danny to grow throughout the six months she’s been in the program. 

Click here to learn more about Parks in Focus and TrueMentors.