A total of four Ottawa County nonprofits were recently promised a total of $164,000 to expand mental health services from the Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland.
Data from the most recent Ottawa County Community Health Needs Assessment showed 34.5% of adults in Ottawa County experience mild to severe psychological distress, nearly double the rate from 2020, according to CHFZ. The newly awarded grants were given to programs working to address that trend.
They include:
Latin Americans United for Progress
Latin Americans United for Progress will receive $60,000 over two years to support a full-time master’s social worker for Bridging Mental Health, Building Equity. The program is focused on mental healthcare for immigrant and low-income residents, with a network of bilingual clinicians and community workers.
The social worker will coordinate with six partner nonprofit organizations to reduce waitlists and expedite access to care.
“This funding will help ensure families receive care rooted in dignity, trust and cultural understanding, regardless of insurance status,” wrote LAUP’s Senior Director of Workforce and Strategic Impact Maria Morales.
Children’s Advocacy Center
Children’s Advocacy Center of Ottawa County will receive $44,000 over two years to boost annual counseling sessions by 180 appointments, in response to a 25% increase in demand for services supporting child sexual abuse survivors.
“When a child discloses sexual abuse, everything in their world changes,” wrote Executive Director Rachael DeWitt. “With this grant, children are able to receive skilled, compassionate care at the very moment they need it most, expanding our community’s capacity to help them feel safe and begin their healing journey.”
Brave Space
Brave Space will receive $30,000 to expand a nine-week program that uses creative writing and expressive arts to help middle and high schoolers build coping skills and resilience. The program serves students directly through small cohorts, and will distribute guided journals to 1,000 additional students.
“This support allows us to expand programming that meets students where they are,” wrote founder Alexis Rosado.
Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence
Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence will receive $30,000 to expand an equine-assisted therapy program for children who have witnessed domestic violence and their caregivers. The program, in partnership with Renew Therapeutic Riding Center, will serve approximately 100 families and combine traditional trauma-focused therapy with guided horse interactions.
“We are excited to be able to offer equine-assisted services for children and their families,” wrote Resilience Director of Survivor Services Krystal Diel. “Children who have witnessed domestic violence will be able to work with horses to regulate their emotions and practice coping skills. We are thrilled to be able to offer this avenue for healing.”
This story was created by reporter Nida Tazeen, ntazeen@usatodayco.com , with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
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