Blueprints Spring 2024 - ICCF Newsletter

ICCF COMMUNITY HOMES BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cameron Young, Chair Behler-Young

Eunice Lopez-Martin, Vice-Chair Steelcase

Tom Prince, Treasurer

Hungerford Nichols

Brianne Pitchford, Secretary Triangle Associates Inc.

Lee Hardy, Past Chair

Calvin University Emeritus

Jamecia Adams

Keller Williams Realty

Devetta Blakely Cherry Health

David Contant

BDR Custom Homes

Mary DeYoung

Gray Space Collaborative

Rhoda Kreuzer

Partners in Action, Inc.

Rick Treur

River City Improv

Janice Dorsey

Arkenya Incorporated/SOWN

Marjie Dood

BASIC Benefits LLC

William Jackson Corewell Health

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

Dear friends,

As we celebrate ICCF Community Homes’ 50th anniversary, one of the greatest joys has been sharing stories “from the vault.” Sharing stories like Tina’s, featured in this edition of Blueprints, reminds us of God’s faithfulness throughout the decades. Tina’s journey with ICCF began over 20 years ago. The affordable home she leased, and now owns, has shaped her life and her son’s. It provides him with a stable place to stay while saving for his own future. But for Tina, the impact goes beyond the house. She emphasizes the importance of ICCF’s educational resources which helped her become a successful homeowner.

Finding affordable housing in West Michigan can be challenging, but stories like Tina’s foster hope. As she says, ICCF serves as an example for the next generation, demonstrating that with faith and hard work, change is possible, and even deferred dreams of homeownership can be realized.

On page 7, you’ll find an update on Tapestry Square (originally Wealthy Jefferson Initiative). This project has morphed and grown over time based on available resources, new opportunities, and the needs of our city. The Southgate, which opened last year, offers a vibrant community for seniors near downtown Grand Rapids, fostering a sense of belonging. Thanks to the servant leaders who over the years discerned God’s vision for that area, a once-blighted block has been transformed into a beautiful, walkable neighborhood with attainable homes and businesses.

ICCF’s history will continue to shape our future. We stand committed today, as we were back then, to follow God’s lead in the pursuit of equitable opportunity, affordable homes, and thriving neighborhoods.

Grace and peace,

Ryan VerWys President and CEO rverwys@iccf.org

We had a wonderful time at the 50th Anniversary Houses to Homes Gala looking back at five decades of history, honoring individuals and organizations who are giving back today, and looking forward to the future.

EBENEZER AWARD RECIPIENTS

COMMUNITY AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR:

Community Automotive Repair has been a key ally, generously providing maintenance services for our fleet of vehicles. This partnership is indispensable, as it enables us to fulfill our mission of assisting our residents effectively.

RUTH BASNEY: Ruth and her late husband Lionel’s dedication to ICCF spans over four decades—an incredible testament to their tireless commitment through both volunteerism and financial support as charter members of our monthly giving program.

ADA BIBLE CHURCH: Ada Bible has consistently enriched the lives of those we serve through their dedicated investment of time, talent, and resources. Their team embodies both skill and generosity, evident in their meticulous renovations of multiple houses, transforming houses into cherished homes.

LYNNE FERRELL: Lynne, representing the Frey Foundation, has long championed ICCF. When ICCF sought to acquire a portfolio of homes from an out-of-state investor, Lynne and the Frey Foundation were quick to offer their support and they have remained loyal partners in this initiative ever since.

PATRON SPONSORS

APCO Supply

Behler-Young Co.

Blu House Properties, LLC

Jonathan and Grace Bradford

Bill and Annette Byl

CapTrust Financial Advisors

Chesapeake Community Advisors, Inc.

ChoiceOne Bank

Community Automotive Repair, Inc.

DeHamer Landscaping

Mitchell and Jill DeJonge

Etna Supply Company

FastSigns of Grand Rapids

and Jeannette Kelderman

Kraemer PC

Inc.

Bank of Michigan

Associates, Inc. VanderLugt, Mulder, DeVries & Elders, CPAs Marsha and Larry Veenstra Zeeland Lumber | Standard

& Lumber

FRIEND SPONSORS

Abra Lawncare &

Afton

Blessings Along the Journey to Home

I need a home. Tina had the thought while holding her newborn son, dreaming about a future place they could call home. She was exhausted by keeping up with rising costs of rent and difficult landlords. As a single mom, she wondered if she could ever afford to become a homeowner.

Tina came to Grand Rapids in 1992 after growing up on the east side of the state. She found a job working at a branch of Old Kent Bank, now Fifth Third Bank. She balanced work and family responsibilities with caring for her young son. Tina wanted to find a stable home, but it needed to be affordable and compatible with her finances and credit history.

First, Tina applied for help with Habitat for Humanity. When she learned her income was just a little outside of their qualifications, someone referred her to ICCF Community Homes. Tina stopped into a small ICCF office at 515 Jefferson, the Housing Opportunity Center, to discuss her options. Not only did ICCF have resources to help

Tina attain an affordable home, they would also equip her for the long-term challenge of homeownership.

“What I really liked about ICCF was they prepared you to be a homeowner,” Tina said, “so that you would be successful and stay in your home. Classes on budgeting, credit remediation, how to do repairs on your house—I was really impressed with that.” At the time, ICCF was just beginning to take on new construction projects and build single-family homes. Walking alongside the staff at ICCF, Tina was able to pick out her lot and watch her future home come to life. Hers was one of the first ICCF constructions to include a garage, she remembered fondly.

“When I moved in with my son, it felt like I had accomplished a dream,” said Tina. “I was letting my son know that this is something he could do. You don’t have to wait for someone else, or listen when they tell you it’s impossible.”

The home was part of ICCF’s lease/ purchase program, where prospective homebuyers could lease a home while saving up to buy it. Tina began leasing the home after its completion in 2002

and was ready to purchase it just two years later. “I love my home so much,” said Tina. “It’s remained affordable. I love the community. I love the seasons. West Michigan is beautiful.”

When the economy took a downturn in the late 2000s, Tina could still afford her mortgage; she didn’t have to worry about losing her home. A few years after she bought the house, she transitioned to a new career at Grand Valley State University, where she’s had an impressive 20-year tenure. After initially thinking of her house as a “starter home,” Tina found herself settling in for the long run. Her son went to grade school, then high school, and then graduated from college—a proud GVSU Laker, of course. Now he’s working and living at home with Tina, saving up money to afford his own apartment. But, she noted with a laugh, she doesn’t see him too often. Between his job, friends, and girlfriend, he’s always out and about, with a safe place to come back to.

“If it wasn’t for ICCF, I don’t know if my dreams of becoming a homeowner would have come to pass for me,” said Tina. “I’m really grateful that the program existed, especially as a single parent and an African American woman. I just thank God that they were there to prepare me, not just financially, but to help me sustain and stay in my home.”

Tina’s home has always been a welcoming place. Her aging mother moved in with Tina for several years before transitioning to senior housing, and several friends have found a safe place with Tina during times of need.

Putting God’s Grace to Work

Fifteen years ago, in 2009, a Grand Rapids Press reporter wrote an in-depth profile article about Jonathan Bradford, who at that time had been ICCF’s President and CEO for 28 years. Towards the end of the article, the reporter focused on her subject’s personal sense of mission, ending by quoting Jonathan:

“Don’t receive the grace of God in vain…. Use it. Put it to work.”

Putting the grace of God to work has been a continuing thread woven through the timeline of ICCF’s history. God’s grace has called and equipped this organization and its people to make a difference:

• for hundreds of families facing homelessness who found emergency shelter at Family Haven,

• for thousands who’ve rented safe, secure, affordable ICCF houses and apartments, and

• for all those families who, with ICCF’s help, have achieved the security of owning their own home.

Her front porch provides a peaceful retreat when the weather is nice, while the open floor plan on the main level has hosted many gatherings with friends and family.

“We can all come together in one space and enjoy each other,” said Tina. The first time a visitor comes, she explains where everything is located in the house. The second time, she tells them there’s no need to ask permission, just help yourself.

“Over the years I’ve had a couple of people say, ‘Your home is just so full of love. You welcomed us with open

arms,’” said Tina. “I just feel like God blessed me with something, and if I’m able to be a blessing to someone in need, to help someone else along their journey, it puts everything in perspective.”

Over those 50 years, our area’s housing market has changed drastically. The challenges for households on the margins today as they strive to gain suitable and affordable homes have also changed. And, ICCF has changed as well.

While always seeking to both relieve immediate housing need and also widen the path for those striving for long-term housing security, we now know well that housing justice is by its nature an enduring concern that transcends the decades. Circumstances change, but God’s call to put his grace to work endures.

The ICCF Homes & Hope Legacy Society is a group of donors who, by including a legacy gift to ICCF Community Homes in their estate plans, share that enduring commitment. If you are making estate plan decisions, please visit ICCF.org/planned-gifts for more information or contact Hank Kroondyk, ICCF Planned Giving Specialist, at hkroondyk@iccf.org.

“We are deeply thankful that God enabled us to join with so many in seeking shalom here in Grand Rapids through ICCF’s first 50 years of ministry and for the ways God continues to bless this transformational work. With an abiding concern for those in our community facing housing challenges and in thanks for God’s care for us, we are honored to support ICCF Community Homes with regular gifts and a legacy gift from our estate.”

- JONATHAN AND GRACE BRADFORD

Housing Pipeline: Highlights from 1994–2016

A lot is purchased in the first move toward what will become the Wealthy Jefferson Initiative, later called Tapestry Square.

ICCF held a variety of design charrettes over the next decade to gather community input.

ICCF moves into the former D.A. Blodgett Home for Children at 920 Cherry, which it has spent two years renovating after saving the building from demolition. As a recession hits, ICCF provides foreclosure intervention services to hundreds of local families.

1994 1996 2000 2007

A former warehouse at 515 Jefferson becomes a secondary office space, nicknamed the Housing Opportunity Center.

ICCF builds its first single-family new home from the ground up and the construction program grows dramatically over the next ten years, renovating or building 8–20 homes annually. The first homeownership training class is held with a curriculum written by ICCF staff and later adopted by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) for use across the state.

ICCF continues to expand its homeownership education services with the Introduction to Homeownership program, credit remediation, financial literacy classes, and home maintenance education. Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) help participants reach their homeownership goals through a match savings program.

ICCF’s mixed-used, mixedincome housing developments 100 and 150 Wealthy open in Tapestry Square.

After an incredible tenure of 34 years, Jonathan Bradford retires and Ryan VerWys is welcomed as the new CEO.

Construction begins on 24 units of mixed-income, mixed-use housing in Tapestry Square at 435 LaGrave, with 6 units designed for use by youth aging out of foster care.

From the Forgotten Corner to Tapestry Square

In the 1990s, ICCF, Southeast Community Association (SECA), and other community stakeholders began conversations about the neighborhood radiating out to the southeast from the corner of Division Ave. and Wealthy St. Once a bustling residential community alive with schools, churches, and over 40 businesses, by the late 1990s this area had become known as the Forgotten Corner Neighborhood, having lost over 80% of its residents and all but one of its businesses.

With a vision for full neighborhood revitalization, ICCF began to acquire vacant parcels and dilapidated structures in the four-block area to the southeast of that Division/Wealthy intersection. At the same time, with funding and assistance from a number of businesses and foundations, as well as city and state governments, a plan was developed to recapture the energy of this once healthy neighborhood, informed by community research, stakeholder surveys, urban planning best practices, and a Biblical vision for shalom.

In 2012, ICCF chose to name this emerging revitalized neighborhood “Tapestry Square.” Like a tapestry which is made both strong and beautiful by the diversity of materials that are interwoven, Tapestry Square seeks to be a strong, healthy, vibrant urban neighborhood where a diverse group of people live, work, shop, thrive, and enjoy life. Today, after three decades of planning and construction, Tapestry Square contains more than 200 housing units, 9,000 SF of retail space, and the innovative Grand Rapids University Preparatory Academy for grades 6–12.

Tapestry Square and surrounding neighborhoods.

415 Martin Luther King Jr. St. SE, Suite 100 Grand Rapids, MI 49507

Heroes of Home

Together with our incredible staff members we’re celebrating our 50th anniversary all year long! Find event details, more stories, and ways to get involved at iccf.org/legacy.

MAY 23

Lunch & Learn

JUNE 12

Birthday Bash

SEPT 19

Homes & Hope Legacy Society Trolley Tour

SEPT 26

A Night with Just Action Author Leah Rothstein