South End Community Outreach Ministries Secom

When you hear the words hunger and poverty, what do you see in your mind?  You may picture people living far away in another country, far removed from your community.

 

In Kent County, Michigan, over 88,000 people, including 1/5 of our children, live with hunger and poverty every day.

 

These are your friends, neighbors, and coworkers.  People who, because of life circumstances, need the services of a resource center.  

 

At SECOM, these friends, neighbors, and coworkers find the help and hope they need to have a new start in life.  People like:

Javier, who moved from the Dominican Republic to Grand Rapids to build a new life, and faced hardships in turning his dream into reality.  

David, who lost a job during the recession, and are working hard to get back in the workforce.  

Elisa, a SECOM pantry volunteer who, thanks to connections through SECOM, was able to obtain full time employment.  

Jamijah, a young child who, thanks to the Little Steps at SECOM Preschool, will be starting Kindergarten at grade level rather than two or three years behind her peers, and has a greater opportunity to graduate high school, get a job that pays a living wage, and have a brighter future.

Nerida, a mom who was able to participate in Pride for Parents, a program in which parents earn Christmas gifts for their children through volunteerism.  By volunteering 70 hours, Nerida earned $700 of much needed clothing for her children last holiday season, and gained confidence in herself because she was making a difference right in her community.

Your support changes lives.  By volunteering, donating food, or making a financial gift, you are doing more than providing a meal or service to a person in need.

You provide our most vulnerable friends and neighbors with the support they need to break the cycle of poverty.  You provide a life of dignity and respect.  Most importantly, you provide hope for tomorrow.