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  • LIVE ON THE STREET
  • TAKE A MOMENT
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      • START Program
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  • IN NEED?
    • Need a place to sleep?
    • Need a meal?
    • Need help with addiction?
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TAKE A MOMENT
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Take a Moment, Take Action

Those two phrases are what we ask of our community. To stop and learn about homelessness, poverty, addictions and life on the street. Then, take action, whether it's volunteering, advocating or donating dollars. It all makes a difference in our community.
 

Emergency Services Provided

  • Emergency overnight shelter for men
  • Lunch and dinner daily for anyone in need
  • United Way 211 Food Baskets
  • Spectrum NOW Food Baskets
  • Interdenominational Chapel Service twice daily
  • Free voicemail boxes for doctor or interview appointments
  • Education and Job Readiness Program
 
The New Life in Christ Program

The New Life in Christ Program is a four month, residential, Christian based, addiction recovery program for men. It is a program licensed by the state of Michigan within Guiding Light Mission. Bible study, anger management, relationship building and banking courses are just a few of the educational opportunities for men dealing with addictions. 

 

Non-Duplication of Services

Guiding Light Mission believes in being good stewards of donor dollars, therefore, if there is an opportunity to partner with another agency for services, we will do that. For example, Booth Family Services receives two office spaces, free of charge to assist the community with housing opportunities.


Guiding Light Mission has a new three year strategic plan! Click here to learn more.



255 S. Division Ave
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.451.0236

Programs

The poorest of the poor will find pasture, and the needy will lie down in safety Isaiah 14:30
 
Guiding Light Mission provides emergency overnight shelter for upwards of 68 men nightly. In addition we provide meals to anyone in the community in need.

 

Learn more about Emergency Services here.

An average of 6,700 meals per month is served to men, women and children at Guiding Light Mission and nearly 66,740 meals are distributed to local charities and emergency food basket providers.
 

The New Life in Christ Program

Guiding Light Mission offers a Christian based, residential substance abuse and life recovery program known as The New Life In Christ Program. This program, formerly known as the S.T.A.R.T. program, is designed to instill its participants with the skills and values necessary to rejoin the community and reclaim their lives.

More than 134 men came through the START Program in 2010.

Volunteers

The Mission is funded entirely by private donations and relies extensively on volunteers. 

Church Family Mentor Program

Mentorship is a vital component of our recovery program. With your help we can ensure greater success for our clients on their journey of rehabilitation and re-entry. The Church Family Mentor Program is important in that it allows the man that they 'adopt' to grow back into society. To learn more about the guidelines and reponsibilities of this mentorship, please click here.

Click here to learn more about how you can become involved!
 
 

255 S. Division Ave. - Grand Rapids, MI 49503 - 616.451.0236
For program information, e-mail: newlifeinchrist@lifeonthestreet.org



Media                        Press Kit

For all media inquiries, please contact

Jessica Manfrin, Development Director
jessica@lifeonthestreet.org
616.451.0236 x13

 

Fact Sheet
History



News Archive

Our Neighborhood

In the heart of Grand Rapids, a few blocks from burgeoning urban developments and a growing community of business professionals, exists one of the poorest neighborhoods in Grand Rapids. The Heartside Neighborhood is both racially and culturally diverse, and its neighbors represent the greatest cross section of homeless and destitute citizens of Kent County.

Men, young and old. Women, children, and families. Veterans. Individuals suffering from mental illness. Individuals with a physical disablility. People living with addiction. These are the faces of Heartside and the members of our community in greatest need of support, resources, and prayers.

In addition to Guiding Light Mission, Heartside is also served by these organizations, partners in our mission:

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Mission


Guiding Light Mission exists to create a healing experience that allows individuals to discover a new life in Christ. We expect re-engagement in community. We provide food and shelter to all and resources to men that support their social, physical, spiritual, and intellectual needs.




History


Leadership & Staff

If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:7-8 
 

Board of Directors

Phil DeVries, Board Chair
Bank of Holland
 
Jeff VanWinkle, Board Vice-Chair
Clark Hill
 
Claire Larson, Board Treasurer
Christian Schools International
 
Shawn Merritt, Board Secretary
SDI Consulting, LLC
 
Andy Odehnal, Director
VanLaan Concrete Construction

Clifford Washington, Director
Pine Rest
 
Brad Mathis, Director
St. Mary's Health Care
 
Kevin Stotts, Director
Talent 2025
 
Nate Vander Stelt, Director
Christian Reformed Church
 
Kent Gagnon, Director
Choice One Bank
 
Michelle Behrenwald, Advisory
Former Board Chair
inspired desiGn

 

Staff

Stuart Ray, Executive Director
stuart@lifeonthestreet.org


Bill Shaffer
, Program Director
bill@lifeonthestreet.org

Brian Plumhoff, Case Manager
brian@lifeonthestreet.org

Jessica Manfrin
, Development Director
jessica@lifeonthestreet.org

Kari Oosterbaan, Development Associate
Volunteer Coordinator
kari@lifeonthestreet.org

Alison Van Andel, Gift Processor
alison@lifeonthestreet.org

Arla Dolislager, Accounting Assistant
arla@lifeonthestreet.org
 
Paul Chimienti, Shelter Program Director
paul@lifeonthestreet.org

Anthony Duebler,  Shelter Supervisor
aduebler@lifeonthestreet.org


Dennis Cochran,
Workforce Development Director
Major Donors and Business Manager
denny@lifeonthestreet.org

James Johnson,
Church Engagement Manager
Major Donors and Business Manager
james@lifeonthestreet.org

Josh Warren, Counselor
josh@lifeonthestreet.org
 
Mike Richman, Counselor
mike@lifeonthestreet.org
 
Adam Brouwer, Volunteer Associate
adam@lifeonthestreet.org
255 S. Division Ave
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.451.0236

 


Recent Press Stories

December 2011-   Josh appears on M-live
December 2011-   Community Christmas Dinner at Guiding Light Mission
September 2011 - Scammers Target Homeless
April 2011 - From Addict to Runner
April 2011 - Maundy Thursday
April 2011 - Heroin Addict to Runner
March 2011 - One Step at a Time Front Page!
March 2011 - Musicians Against Homelessness
February 2011 - Spiritual Guidance
February 2011 - Carl Video
February 2011 - Can GR End Homelessness
February 2011 - Carl Story


Recent Press Releases

November  2011 -  Thanksgiving Feast at Guiding Light Mission
November  2011 -  Winter Accessory Bags at Guiding Light Mission
October     2011 -  Local Dentist Donates Halloween Candy to Guiding Light Mission
October     2011 -  CTI Music Ministries Performs at Guiding Light Mission
September 2011 -  Men Participate in Grand River Clean Up
September 2011 -  Men Decorate Bags for Kid's Food Basket
September 2011 -  ArtPrize at Guiding Light Mission!
September 2011 -  Recovery Palooza



News Archive

Emergency Services

 

31,315 overnight stays & 81, 327 free meals were provided at Guiding Light Mission in 2010.

 

  • Emergency shelter for transients from 8pm to 8am nightly
  • 24 hour shelter during severe weather
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
  • Educational and Job Readiness opportunities
  • Spiritual Care programs - interdenominational twice daily
  • Voicemail boxes for up to 1,000 individuals
  • Referrals to various social service agencies within the community
  • Mentor relationships
  • Emergency food baskets through United Way and Spectrum N.O.W. programs 

To make a donation to our emergency shelter, please click here.

 

 
 
255 S. Division Ave
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.451.0236

The New Life in Christ Program

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. Ephesians 6:14-15
 
A fresh start with God, family, friends, and self. A sober start on the road to discovery. A clean start on the road to recovery.

 

New Life in Christ is the right start for men suffering from chronic homelessness, substance abuse, spiritual destitution and life challenges. Up to 36 men at any given time find substance abuse and life recovery at Guiding Light Mission through the state-certified program.
 
Through counseling, work therapy, bible study and mentorship, the New Life in Christ Program guides both addicts and non-addicts in rebuilding relationships with God, family, friends and self, allowing them to change the course of their life and mark on our community.
 
For many, Guiding Light Mission is the only opportunity for a fresh start and the only chance to rebuild the foundation of their life.
 
Help start someone on their journey today, by supporting Guiding Light Mission and our programs here.
 
For more information about programming at Guiding Light Mission, please contact Bill Shaffer at newlifeinchrist@lifeonthestreet.org or 616.451.0236 x33

 

 

 
Thank you to Douglas J Aveda Institute for providing student hairdressers to cut the hair of community members at Guiding Light Mission once monthly.         

 
 
255 S. Division Ave
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.451.0236
For program information e-mail: newlifeinchrist@lifeonthestreet.org   
































































































News

Internship Opportunities
Fall 2011

We are looking for energetic students for a variety of opportunities.
Read More

Donate Items
December, 2011

Donate your gently used or new items. We need items like dishes and other household items for men who have graduated the programs.
Read More

NEW: Chris' Story
January Newsletter 2012

"I once was lost..."
 Read More

A Bonus Blessing for Your Extended Family
December

Read More

Guiding Light Mission Has a New Strategic Plan!
Read More...

Mission Statement

Guiding Light Mission exists to create a healing experience that allows individuals to discover a new life in Christ. We expect re-engagement in community. We provide food and shelter to all and resources to men that support their social, physical, spiritual, and intellectual needs.

 

       

   

 

 

 

 

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255 S. Division Ave. SE | Grand Rapids, MI 49503 | p.616.451.0236

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