We’re excited to share some big news! Love Your Neighbor is expanding our Spanish Life Skills Program to Holland to better serve the communities of Holland/Zeeland, thanks to a generous grant from the Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area (CFHZ).
This expansion brings our proven, transformational model into the hearts of the Holland/Zeeland community, providing Spanish-speaking families with accessible tools, support, and resources to move beyond crisis and build a stable, thriving future. Currently offered in Grandville, Jenison, and Hudsonville, with a successful Spanish program already running in Hudsonville, Love Your Neighbor’s Life Skills Program is a long-term, holistic journey that helps families shift out of survival mode and experience community.
“We understand that every family’s circumstances are unique, and there are a multitude of factors involved in creating stable, safe, and thriving households. The combination of trust-based relationships, culturally responsive design, and wraparound support in this new Spanish Life Skills Program holds promise not only to stabilize families in the short term, but to build generational resilience,” shared Yadah Ramirez, Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland’s Director of Community Impact.
Participants receive financial education with the opportunity to earn weekly groceries, gas, housing support, along with access to mental health services, low-interest loans, and much more.
“Our goal has always been to walk alongside families, not just to help them survive, but to help them thrive,” said Jodi Cole Meyer, Executive Director of Love Your Neighbor. “Expanding this program in Spanish, right in the community where it’s needed most, means more families will have access to the community, resources, and opportunities they deserve.”
Each Life Skills journey costs about $3,000 per family, but generates more than $14,000 in direct value through services and resources. This impact is powered by more than 400 local church volunteers, as well as many community partners and donors who make the work possible.
Seven local churches have already signed on in Holland, and we are calling on more churches, businesses, and individuals to join in!
With this expansion, we will have a second office located in City on a Hill Ministries in Zeeland, 100 Pine Street, Suite 280. Our office will be open 10am-4pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
To get involved, donate, or learn more, visit www.lovewm.org, email info@lovewm.org, or call 616.662.3300.