Report: Local nonprofit cuts church shelter program

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A West Michigan nonprofit is cutting a program that partners with churches to shelter families, Crain’s Grand Rapids Business reports.

Family Promise of West Michigan is ending its Interfaith Hospitality Network program, which provides overnight shelter through a rotating list of area churches, Crain’s reports. It reports that the cut comes from a $1 million gap in the budget after the nonprofit didn’t reach its expected donation numbers.

The organization will instead grow the number of rooms its operates at the Mel Trotter facility from 27 to 33, Crain’s reports.

IHN helped provide families with shelter, meals and resources, according to its website . It was partnered with 40 congregations in the greater Grand Rapids area and served 100 families over the last few years.

It helped 90% of families find a home, with 85% of those families still housed two years later, Family Promise says.

The website describes the program as “the heart and soul” of Family Promise.

News 8 reached out to Family Promise and did not hear back by Friday afternoon.

“I feel like we just had to pivot,” CEO Tenisa Frye told Crain’s. “The thing that’s been so valuable and important to us is our relationships with the congregations, and so being able to continue to build those relationships is just important for us and the families.”

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