Tri-Cities Ministries gets makeover from Leadership Connect class

Wed, Jun 24, 2009    to del.icio.us

Who says you need Ty Pennington and his "Extreme Makeover" crew to spur on a community construction project?

This spring, a class from the Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven-Spring Lake-Ferrysburg went the extra mile to fix up Tri-Cities Ministries' house at 120 Fifth St.

Although TCM Director Sarah Hochhuth's request to the Chamber's Leadership Connect class asked for some painting and maintenance work, the group did much more. With donations from the community, the class also painted the exterior of the house; bought new furniture; updated a bathroom; and replaced carpet, windows and ceiling tiles.

"We had an extreme home makeover," Hochhuth said. "I think it shows a caring from the community for the people that come in here for counseling. The house, as it is right now, matches much more closely what happens in the house — the warmth and the feeling of home."

It's been increasingly difficult for Tri-Cities Ministries to meet the growing need for counseling in the community, Hochhuth said. With eight counselors and a $150,000 budget, she said they were able to provide $500,000 of counseling services last year.

The house is provided rent-free by neighboring First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven.

"All of our money is going directly to the counseling services," Hochhuth said. "Based on the economic (downturn), we have no extra money to spend on what they have just done."

The nine-month Leadership Connect class focuses on developing leadership skills and community involvement. Each class ends with a community project, ranging from renovating part of a nonprofit organization's facility to installing benches at the trolley stops.

Nancy Manglos, who directs the class for the local Chamber, said the projects are rewarding experiences — and this year was no exception.

"I think there was a personal connection, and I think the class did an exceptional job of conveying what Tri-Cities Ministries is all about," she said.

Marlene Brostrom, associate director of development and communications for the Greater Ottawa County United Way, was part of the 21-member 2008-09 class. She said the class raised $22,000 for the Tri-Cities Ministries project.

"I think (we) realized the need was there and they operate on almost nothing," Brostrom said. "Every penny they have goes to help give back."

The project culminated with an open house on June 4 — when class members, Chamber officials and Tri-Cities Ministries staff gave tours of the revamped house.

Hochhuth said some of the clients were so excited about the project, they brought family members to the open house to show it off.

"While work was being done, we could hear clients, and they'd say: 'Oh my gosh, look what they've done this week,'" she said.

On the Net:

www.tcmcounseling.org