Troy’s Story

When the wind chill hit 18 below zero, Troy wasn’t sure how he had made it through another winter in the woods.

After losing both of his parents to brain cancer, the family farm was sold and the life he knew disappeared with it. With nowhere else to go, Troy moved onto a few acres he owned, parking a camper there and settling in with his dog and the few belongings he had left. For years, he lived without electricity or running water. Just him and his dog.

“I was living in the woods for quite a while,” Troy said. “Last winter the wind-chill was 18 below zero. I came in and told them, ‘I don’t know how I made it through this year but I did… and I was wondering if I could get some food.’”

Troy receives Social Security Income, but navigating the systems required to move forward felt overwhelming. With TrueNorth support, he began untangling the paperwork and learning how to manage his benefits independently so he could move ahead with confidence.

TrueNorth staff visited him at his camper, helping him complete housing applications and gather the documentation property managers required. He also hadn’t seen a doctor in years, so he got connected to local care, a step that proved critical. His senior dog, his only steady companion through years of isolation, posed a barrier to many housing options. With documentation from his new provider, his dog was approved as an emotional support animal, clearing one more hurdle.

By early December, Troy was approved for housing. And by mid-December 2025, he was inside his own apartment — just in time to avoid the worst of the cold.

Today, he talks about the simple things: turning on a light switch, opening a refrigerator and taking a hot shower.

After years of surviving, Troy is finally home.

emPower Heat & Energy

We recognize when a neighbor reaches out for help with a heat or electric bill, it’s often a sign of a much larger struggle. Whether a sudden job loss, medical crisis or change in family dynamics, these financial hurdles can quickly threaten a household’s entire foundation. TrueNorth’s emPower program team provides more than just a payment; they offer coaching and resource navigation necessary to help families regain their footing.

The emPower team recently supported neighbors whose challenges went far beyond what financial assistance alone could fix. One mother was navigating a difficult separation while raising three children, including a daughter with a disability. Without stable housing or a reliable vehicle, even the most basic daily needs felt overwhelming. 

Another neighbor, a grandmother living on a fixed income, was in the process of legally adopting her grandchildren. As she covered mounting legal fees, she was also trying to keep her vehicle running so the children could get to school and participate in extracurricular activities.

These stories illustrate why emPower focuses on “Complex Care.” By addressing immediate utility needs while providing one-on-one coaching, TrueNorth helps neighbors move from a state of constant survival towards long-term security.

By removing the immediate pressure of a utility shut-off or a fuel shortage, emPower creates the space for families to tackle other barriers to self-sufficiency. Whether it’s helping a father maintain his household after a seasonal layoff or ensuring a guardian has the transportation needed to care for her family, the emPower program is about dignity and security.

One participant recently shared before working with emPower staff, they felt a constant sense of tension and instability. Today, they are housed, their vehicle is insured and they have a clear path forward. Another participant noted, the support they received during their most vulnerable moments didn’t just pay a bill, it provided a path forward when they weren’t sure where to turn. When we support our neighbors through their most vulnerable moments, the entire community grows stronger. 

Day of Giving

TrueNorth Community Services is proud to invite our community to take part in this year’s Day of Giving, a special opportunity to come together and support neighbors across Newaygo County and beyond. This day is about more than fundraising. It is about showing up for families, older adults and individuals who rely on TrueNorth during some of life’s most challenging moments.

Every day, TrueNorth provides access to healthy food, helps households stay warm and safe, supports youth and older adults and builds connections that strengthen our entire community. These services are only possible because of generous supporters who believe everyone deserves stability, dignity and hope. The Day of Giving helps ensure these vital programs can continue and grow to meet increasing needs.

On February 24, our goal is to raise $10,000 to support food assistance, housing stability programs, utility support and other essential services. Every contribution, no matter the amount, directly impacts someone in our community who needs help today.

We invite you to be part of this meaningful day by making a gift and sharing this opportunity with others who care about building a stronger community. Together, we can make a lasting difference.

Learn more right here!

Friends for Life

For Kathy and Kyrin, a mentoring match that began three and a half years ago has evolved into something much deeper. They’ve become friends for life.

“The first time I met Kyrin, she said she didn’t know what a mentor was,” Kathy recalls. “I told her I was a friend that could help her in any way she needed, and that’s exactly how our relationship has been.”

For Kyrin, that specific type of friendship was just what she needed. She explains; “it feels amazing to be able to hang out with someone who sees me as more than a kid.”

While acknowledging Kyrin has a close-knit, supportive extended family, Kathy views herself as “the companion that is there to expose her to new activities, listen to anything that might be on her mind and to provide a different perspective.“

Despite a 50-year age difference, the relationship is mutually beneficial. “I love spending time with Kyrin,” Kathy says. “In the same way that she benefits from my perspective on things, I like her fresh perspective too. She’s creative and funny. I like hearing her views on the proper care for horses, and going thrift store shopping with her.”

For Kyrin, time spent talking and listening has had a tangible impact. She credits Kathy with teaching her “how to communicate better with people.”

“Everyone has something to offer a young person,” Kathy says, “and the staff at TrueNorth is there to help if you run into obstacles along the way. Try it!” To learn more about TrueMentors contact Chadwick at (231) 924-0641, ext. 120 or truementors@truenorthservices.org.

Ice Fishing Benefits TrueMentors

Dam to Dam is more than an ice fishing tournament; it’s a powerful investment in mentorship and the young people who rely on it. This annual fishing event directly supports TrueMentors, a program that connects caring, consistent adults with youth who need guidance, stability and encouragement to thrive.

Held on Saturday, February 14th at Croton Township Campground, this year’s tournament is part of Michigan’s Free Fishing Weekend, meaning no license or advanced registration is required to participate. Anglers of all ages can enjoy a day on the ice, friendly competition and great community camaraderie, all while supporting a stronger mentoring network for kids across Newaygo County.

Funds raised through Dam to Dam help TrueMentors expand its reach, from school-based mentoring with TrueBlue Academy to one-to-one community matches and outdoor mentoring through Parks in Focus. Your participation directly supports recruiting, training and sustaining these life-changing mentoring relationships.

A big draw of the day is the Hooked on Mentoring raffle, offering exciting prizes including a brand-new Back40 4X4 Camo 550cc UTV and more. Tickets can be purchased in advance at local retailers or on-site during the event, and every ticket sold helps expand the reach and impact of mentoring in our community. Join us on the ice to support youth, mentors and community connection! 

Celebrating 100 Years!

As we kickoff 2026, it’s an exciting milestone to announce we are celebrating 100 years of Camp Newaygo! It began as a vision of a few determined women who believed in the power of outdoor experiences to bring people together. What started as a summer retreat for girls has grown into a vibrant, nationally recognized summer camp and community place with immense meaning for so many people. 

Camp Newaygo is rooted in community-campers and families, a vast alumni network, all connecting back to Newaygo County. Camp’s longevity is, in no small way, thanks to deep connections and meaningful support from these entities throughout the last 100 years. A centennial is certainly worth celebrating and Camp Newaygo’s 100th celebrations will honor both its past and future. This milestone year will include Camp’s alumni reunion, community open houses and special events throughout 2026, including the release of a new history book and song book. 

We hope you can take part in some of these festivities throughout the year to join in the 100th celebration! The first opportunity starts with the 100th Anniversary Kickoff Event at the YWCA in Grand Rapids, on January 22nd from 5:00-7:00 pm. Camp Newaygo’s 100th is a reminder that great things can last a century when they are rooted in community.

Good Happens Here

We are always exploring new and innovative ways to communicate and engage with you. This e-newsletter is one, along with our bi-monthly Navigator publication, which goes to every mailbox in the county, and our regular press releases, video segments and Blog posts.

We’re pleased to announce; beginning in January, and continuing once a month, we are producing a Podcast entitled “Good Happens Here.” This is designed to be more of a deep dive discussion on topics important to our agency and the work we do.

Each monthly episode will feature a guest, who will join our host in talking about a topic that relates directly to one of our programs. Everything from Social Isolation to Rural Homelessness, and Mentoring to Summer Youth Programming. It will be a celebration of the Good that Happens Here, thanks to supporters just like you. 

A video version will be available on our YouTube channel and an audio-only version, wherever you access your podcasts. We sincerely hope you’ll tune in! Click here to see the video announcement.

Year-End Giving

As the year comes to a close, TrueNorth Community Services is calling on the community to support local families, youth and seniors through year-end giving and participation in The Good Challenge. December is one of the most important months for nonprofits nationwide, and TrueNorth is no exception. We see some of the highest community needs during the winter months, including increased requests for food, utility assistance and youth support services.

The Good Challenge is TrueNorth’s year-end campaign designed to inspire giving, volunteering and acts of kindness throughout West Michigan. So far, community members have stepped up in meaningful ways, contributing both time and financial support to strengthen the organization’s mission. With just days left in the year, TrueNorth hopes to finish the challenge strong.

“There is no better time than December to support the programs that keep our community stable,” said Mark Kraus, Community Liaison and Development Director. “Every contribution made during The Good Challenge has a direct, immediate impact on the people we serve.”

Year-end donations help ensure TrueNorth can enter the new year fully prepared to meet ongoing needs. Funds raised support essential programs, including hunger relief efforts, youth mentoring, housing stability services, community outreach initiatives and older adult programming.

Please donate, volunteer or complete acts of good before December 31 to help TrueNorth reach its year-end goal of 100 donors and 100 volunteers.

Children’s Christmas Programs

Newaygo County resident Kaylia was grateful to utilize TrueNorth’s Children’s Christmas Program as a single income household the program allows her to allocate their limited resources to essential expenses, like rent, food and utilities.

The program ensures Kaylia can provide Christmas for her two children, ages 3 and 6, as it also does for many other local families.

“This program is very important because I am currently the only one that is able to work, and I really want to give my two girls a Christmas. It’s very nice that you guys do this for the community,” Kaylia shares.

The program, which has grown since its inception in 1952 has increased both gift giving and the number of youth served, and this year has been no different. The program served over 1,900 youth this year. With each child receiving a toy, an art or science project, socks, a book, a board game or puzzle, a warm winter hat, mittens or gloves and a stocking stuffer. 

This program truly makes a difference in the lives of families, just take it from participant Riley, “This is such a huge weight off of my shoulders this year and such a blessing for my boys. I really had absolutely no idea how I was going to make it happen this year. It means the world to me that I’m able to give them Christmas thanks to help from you guys, and strangers who have never even met my little family!”

Volunteers Make Good Happen

By now, we’re sure you have noticed us talking about the good that happens here at TrueNorth. To be clear; we know good only happens due to the generosity of our community members. People, just like you, who give of their resources, time and talent, to be a part of good happening.

This year, we’ve been showcasing some of the amazing people who volunteer with TrueNorth in a wide variety of different roles. We’ve asked them two simple questions; How do you hope to make a difference through volunteering? and; What personal experiences or values connect you to volunteering? Their answers were as varied and unique as the volunteers themselves, and it really shows it takes a village of diverse people with various skills and reasons for giving back to make a lasting, positive impact on a community. The following is just a sample of those highlighted this year.

For National Volunteer Week, we were thrilled to partner with Fremont High School’s Packer Pride, where 16 dedicated students rolled up their sleeves to distribute saplings, repackage food and take on a variety of community clean-up projects. Their energy, teamwork and passion for service made a meaningful impact, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership of their inspiring teacher, Graciela Sanchez. “I think it’s very important that students learn hard work and how to be involved in the community.”

Gary is a dedicated and friendly face at the Meet & Greet station for our Food Center. He welcomes clients, checks them into our Food Center database, stocks shelves and is always ready to step in when needed. His reliability, kindness and willingness to serve wherever he’s needed make a big impact. “I have a sort of undefined sense of a need to give back to the community… Throughout the years, I’ve had people help me out, so I get a lot of self-satisfaction out of volunteering.”

Susie is one of our incredible TrueMentors volunteers. She gives her time every Tuesday at TrueBlue Academy, a small group mentoring program that engages youth, grades 5th-8th, in lessons that cultivate abilities and shape their futures. Over the past year Susie has dedicated her time to youth in this program and has made a lasting impact on their lives. “I love being with kids… I’m a retired teacher and I think having an extra pair of hands is always helpful. It’s a lot of fun and I hope we can make a positive experience for those kids who are maybe struggling.”

Jacob has been a consistent and invaluable volunteer at Camp Newaygo. Whether guiding campers to their cabins during check in or being a trolley guide at community events, Jacob’s thoughtful approach and friendly demeanor make a lasting impression. Jacob’s dedication and positive attitude continue to make a difference in our community, and we’re grateful for his ongoing support. “I was taught that helping others is really the best way to better yourself.”

You too, can make good happen in our communities. Contact Charlie Forbes, Volunteer Coordinator at (231) 924-0641, ext. 112 to find the best opportunity that combines your passion to a purpose.