Step Up: Providing a lifeline for young adults after foster care

The Community Foundation for Muskegon County presented its annual Impact Award to Dr. Dick and Mrs. Lynn Kamps in October in recognition of their remarkable contribution to the community through their nonprofit organization, Step Up. The award comes with a $5,000 grant to support initiatives that align with the Foundation’s strategic plan.

“We created the award four years ago to acknowledge and recognize people who do great work in the community but fly beneath the radar,” said Todd Jacobs, President and CEO of the Community Foundation. “They’ve been intentional about lifting community members up their entire careers,” Jacobs added, emphasizing the Kamps’ long-standing commitment to community service.

The Kamps have dedicated their efforts to addressing a critical gap in support for young adults aging out of the foster care system.

“Three’s been a desire, a growing desire, within me, within Lynn over the years to really look at what’s important in life. Of all the things that we can invest in, there is nothing more valuable than people. And in 2014 there was a group of 12 to 15 people who started talking about kids in the foster system. A fourth of these young people, within two years of aging out of foster care, will be incarcerated. Fifty percent of them never obtain a high school diploma and 70% of the women within two years’ time will be pregnant,” said Dr. Kamps.

A Quote from an anonymous Step Up Graduate:
“Through Step Up I was encouraged to challenge myself, to step out and do things that were new and different and difficult. Step Up allowed me to learn the benefits of being able to do hard things and in the end, I gained the confidence to see just how much I could accomplish if I chose a path less followed from people from my circumstances.”

Through Step Up, the Kamps provide vital resources such as housing, mentoring, educational guidance, and life skills training for young adults aged 18-24. Their approach focuses on equipping these young people with the tools they need to live self-sufficient, responsible, and productive lives.

“We saw the need for safe, stable housing, education, employment, financial stability, transportation and most importantly adults in their lives whom they could trust and rely on. This led to the model for a home for four paricipants, a live-in house manager, a program coordinator to guide them toward their goals, with additional support from interns and volunteers. Every young person comes to Step Up from different circumstances,” said Lynn Kamps, who is a retired teacher.

“Sometimes I call it Step In, Step Up, Step Out. Currently we have one home for single young women, and a second home for single/pregnant women and their infants. We have had a men’s house in the past and would love to be able to open another home for young men. There’s also a great need in the community for affordable housing as we all know,” says Lynn.

The Community Foundation for Muskegon County has been a cornerstone of philanthropy in the region since its inception in 1961, managing an endowment of $282 million and redistributing $11-13 million annually in grants and scholarships. Jacobs noted the diversity of donations, from five-dollar gifts to multi-million-dollar contributions, highlighting the community’s generosity and commitment to supporting various initiatives, including education and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

Dr. Dick and Lynn Kamps’ dedication to the youth in Muskegon County exemplifies the spirit of the Impact Award and the mission of the Community Foundation. Their work through Step Up sets a powerful example of community engagement and support. As the Kamps continue to empower young adults, the Foundation looks forward to celebrating their achievements and those of future honorees who strive to make a difference in the community.

stepupmuskegon.org