PARTNERS in Renewal

Renewal. The time is now to turn over the soil, dig out the dead roots, plant new seeds and act with intention.

Like many of you, I want to get back out in our community to gather safely with friends and family. My heart yearns to connect with all of you, our beloved partners, face-to-face instead of on a computer screen. I anxiously await the full reopening of schools so that our students can get the hands-on support they need. I look forward to resuming the in-person connections many of us took for granted just a year ago. Yet, while I look forward to resuming what I’ve missed so much over the last year, I have no interest in returning to what was before.

Before COVID-19 emerged in Kent County, so many community members were navigating deep and historic inequities in access to housing, nutritious food, healthcare, education, job opportunities, generational wealth, governmental relief and so much more. The pandemic intensified these inequities and brought them front and center.

As our community presses on toward recovery, it would be a mistake to measure success by how quickly we can return to what was. To truly heal as a community, we must acknowledge that we are navigating two pandemics—COVID-19 and the existing racial, social and economic inequities that have grown worse over the last year. Our true measure of success will be our ability to come together as a community— prioritizing the experiences and expertise of neighbors who have been closest to the pain—to reimagine a renewed West Michigan. We will only emerge victorious from this difficult chapter in our history if we do so with greater commitment to sustaining a more equitable, inclusive and just community.

How we do our work at Grand Rapids Community Foundation has changed throughout the past few years. Our North Star is our continued commitment to this community:

For West Michigan to grow and prosper, we must make sure that everyone can apply their talents and creativity to fuel our future. It is only by connecting across perspectives and overcoming inequities that we can build and sustain an inclusive economy and thriving community.

In this season of renewal, we are ready to double down on our commitment and actions. We are actively seeking new ways to do our work more intentionally by taking on a posture of listening and learning. We are excited to take steps forward in the name of equity by collaborating with our partners in new ways to tackle disparities head on through community-driven investment and advocacy.