Giving back with children’s charities

It’s been a tough year all around, but for children, it has been especially difficult. Spread some cheer and check out how you can support the children in your community with these organizations.

Winning at Home

Holland and Zeeland

Through inspirational speakers, professional counseling and coaching, community events, radio programming, books and other multimedia resources, Winning at Home encourages people of all ages and stages of family development to lead Christ-centered homes. 

Winning at Home’s child and adolescent counselors provide safe spaces for children to process anxiety, fears, stress and trauma. Its child therapy rooms allow kids and adolescents to express themselves through art, play and other forms of nontraditional therapy. Its Zeeland location also has an outdoor playground.

Earlier this year, Winning at Home opened its second counseling location in West Michigan in Holland on 16th Street. The new location has an emphasis on youth and the Latino population; the organization has formed a culturally diverse team of counselors and administrative staff, several with bilingual capabilities. 

Winning at Home
300 S. State St., Suite 13, Zeeland
21 W. 16th St., Holland 
616-772-1733
winningathome.com

Children First Lakeshore

Saugatuck, Douglas and Fennville

Created back in 2017 by George Stoutin and Ron Collins, Children First Lakeshore is a nonprofit organization dedicated to feeding children affected by hunger throughout Allegan County. 

Children First Lakeshore is committed to its mission through fundraising efforts, and the building of partnerships and relationships with existing organizations and food programs. Its programs include: a weekend backpack meal program, after-school snack program and summer backpack meal program.

You can help support Children First Lakeshore and its mission by volunteering to prepare, pack or deliver food to those in need. Visit childrenfirstlakeshore.org/volunteer to get started.

Children First Lakeshore
P.O. Box 980, Douglas
616-893-9377
childrenfirstlakeshore.org
info@childrenfirstlakeshore.org 

Learning to Give

Grand Haven

Learning to Give educates youth of all ages about the many ways they can practice philanthropy, the rich and diverse history and contributions of the civil society sector, and the importance of taking action for the common good by fusing giving into academics.

The organization equips youth by introducing a variety of generous and community-centered practices and experiences. It also empowers youth to take voluntary citizen action for the common good with support from educators, youth leaders, family, and community philanthropy to grow their passions and knowledge as well-informed lifelong philanthropists and contributing citizens. Some topics that students can learn about include voting, justice and diversity.

Learning to Give’s website provides a variety of teaching resources and lessons for students. You can also sign up for an account on the site to receive access to exclusive teaching content.

Learning to Give
1 S. Harbor Drive, Suite 8, Grand Haven
616-634-8350
learningtogive.org

Child Abuse Council

Muskegon

Child Abuse Council prevents and treats child abuse and neglect through education, community collaboration and child advocacy. Each year, the organization serves over 21,000 children in Muskegon County.

Child Abuse Council operates with a collaborative approach — it works with teachers, police officers, doctors, therapists, social workers, parents and children. The organization has a range of education programs for adults and professionals; its child abuse education program empowers parents to protect their children and teaches them how to recognize abuse and neglect and where to find help. The programs address topics like personal safety, child abuse prevention, conflict management, healthy relationships, teenage pregnancy and human trafficking.

There are also plenty of volunteering opportunities at Child Abuse Council; visit its website for more information on how to become a volunteer. 

Child Abuse Council
1781 Peck St., Muskegon
231-728-6410
childabusecouncil.org