Fall 2011 Impact Magazine - Wedgwood Christian Services

sharing hope
providing help
transforming lives
Fall 2011 | Vol. 24 | No. 2
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Fal l 2011 | Vol. 24 | N o. 2
Board of Directors
James Boelkins, Chair
Judy Barnes, Vice-Chair
Scott G. Smith, Secretary
J. Lindsey Dood, Treasurer
Richard Antonini, II
Dennis Bergakker
Ellen Bruinsma
James Engen
Jennifer Greenop
Annie Hawks
David Israels
Sandra Jelinski
John Kuiper
Michael A. McGraw
Bobbie Medema
Greg Schierbeek
Michelle Smith-Lowe
W e d g w o o d F o u n d at i o n
Board of Directors
Richard Zweering, Chair
Jeff Vander Weele, Vice-Chair
Brian Hughes, Secretary
Marvin Besteman
Robert Bredeweg
Marjorie M. Dood
Andrea Karsten
Edward Stuursma
Lynwood Vanden Bosch
Ray Vander Kooi
Jane Zwiers
03 | Embracing God's Call for Courage
04 | T he Road Towards Hope
04
Lynn Kerber
Phil Koning
Doug Kool
David May
Doug Nagel
Tom Nobel
David Nykamp
Wally Olsson
Norman Pylman
Mark Peters
Bob Sack
Marvin L. Sapp
Stanley J. Stek
Tom Stuit
Duke Suwyn
Bill Swets
Sally Swets
Carol Van Andel
Mark Windemuller
T h e I m pac t E d i to r s
the impact
05 | The Best Week of Your Life
By Sara Webb, Senior Young Life Coordinator
06 | A Passion for Transforming Ministry
By Connie Frazier, Chief Advancement Officer
07 | Slavery in Our Backyard: The Manasseh Project
06
By Andy Soper, Coordinator, Manasseh Project
07 | Coming Soon: Neurofeedback at Wedgwood
By Elizabeth Raese, Clinical Supervisor, Outpatient Services
08 | The First Day of School
By Phil Haack, Principal, Hope Academy
09 | L ighthouse Academy Commencement 2011
By Joe Gofoe, Young Life Coordinator
09 | A Bright Future: Job Skills Training 08
By Heidi Cate, Superintendent Lighthouse and Hope Academies
10 | T he Impact of Your Support: 2011 Events
By Connie Frazier, Chief Advancement Officer
14 | A Courageous Legacy
By Gary Raterink, Planned Giving Officer
15 | T he Courage to Make it this Far
By LeRae Kuperus, Director of Spiritual Formation
15
16 | T ribute Gifts
UPCOMI N G E V E N TS
May 10, 2012Legacy Reception
Wedgwood Campus
June 4, 2012
Elyse Putnam, Editor and Designer
David Blakeslee, Assistant Editor
2
By Kevin Van Den Bosch, Director of Clinical Services
Advisory Council
Dick Antonini
Henry Bouma
Ben Brinks
Tom Claus
Tripp Corl
Ed De Vries
Frank Doezema
Gordon Elgersma
James Engen
Ted Etheridge
Michael Garrett
Pat Gill
Jason Grant
Jim Haveman
Nancy Haveman
Robert Haveman
Bob Israels
Mark Jansen
By Sam Beals, President/CEO
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27th Annual Charity
Golf Classic
Egypt Valley Country Club
Coming Soon
November 1, 2012
Wedgwood Wellness 5K
Wedgwood Campus
52nd Annual Celebration Dinner
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Visit W EDG W OOD. ORG fo r mo re info rmatio n
E m b r a c i n g G o d ’s C a l l
Fo r C o u r a g e
C
By Sam Beals, President/CEO
ourage
From Him
As a faith-based ministry
dependent upon God’s
provision to fulfill our
mission of providing
professional counseling and educational
services to at-risk children, we’re impacted
by uncertainties all around us. We see the
deterioration of traditional values that
impact increasing numbers of children.
These factors can adversely impact
our capacity to respond proactively to
growing service opportunities. For many
in our situation, the response is often a
decrease in services, driven by fear that
current levels cannot be sustained.
At Wedgwood, we are grateful to have
God’s Word, Spirit and His people to provide
the courage and resources that enable us
to pursue expanding service opportunities
as they present themselves. In His Word,
through King David, God exhorts us:
“Be strong and courageous and get to work,
don’t be frightened by the size of the task. For
the Lord my God will be with you, He will
not forsake you. He will see that everything is
finished correctly.”
I Chronicles 28:20 (The Living Bible)
C o u r a g e Fr o m T h e m
Wedgwood is privileged with a heritage
of courage, where local Christians worked
together to meet the needs of homeless,
delinquent teens more than 50 years ago.
Since then, each generation has embraced
our commitment to developing innovative,
effective services for children facing the
most chronic and severe challenges in our
community. Abuse and neglect, substance
abuse, sexual offense challenges, teen
pregnancy & STDs, expelled students,
emotional or intellectual impairments and
human trafficking are all examples of the
problems we address in Christ’s name.
C o u r a g e F o r T h o s e We S e r ve d T h e n
One challenge we face in working with
children is helping them find the courage
required to move beyond their experience as
victims of abuse to become responsible, selfsufficient adults who are agents of His love and
grace. This courage, combined with practical life
skills training, educational services, and spiritual
development opportunities provided by donorsupported Transforming Services, has driven
the growth in Wedgwood’s continuum of care.
C o u r a g e F o r T h o s e We S e r v e N o w
Building on that history of courage, we must
vigorously continue to reach children who
live in poor urban and rural neighborhoods.
Through prayers and support from our
faithful donors, we’ve been well-positioned to
respond to those needs. In the last five years
our Community Services and Educational
programs have grown more than 300%, and
our Residential Services have grown 50%.
This notable growth creates new
opportunities to integrate God’s truth
and grace into the treatment process for
the children we serve. Responding to this
call requires us to be courageous in
finding creative, definitive ways to be
the hands, feet and voice of Jesus to
children who need the hope, healing and
wholeness that faith-based services can
provide. We look forward to developing
these necessary initiatives and covet
your continued prayers and support in
bringing Kingdom services to the most
vulnerable in our community in the future.
w e d g w o o d . o r g | Fa l l 2 0 1 1 |
the impact
3
T h e R o a d Tow a rd s H o p e
L
By Kevin Van Den Bosch, Director of Clinical Ser vices
ike many young people
whose early hardships
lead them to places
like Wedgwood, Craig
traveled a difficult
road in life. However, since arriving
at Wedgwood in 2006, he’s found
the road has become easier and less
bumpy than he ever quite imagined.
Family difficulties and a
turbulent adolescence put Craig in
a situation where he could no longer
remain at home with his family. He
needed the structure and supervision
that Wedgwood provides.
During Craig’s time at Wedgwood he
successfully moved through five different
secure and open homes until eventually
being placed with a foster care family
who has helped him continue even
further along his path towards success.
Craig’s progress through Wedgwood’s
continuum of care was due in part to his
involvement in several of Wedgwood’s
Transforming Services. During his
time at Wedgwood, he enrolled in the
Employment Training Program, which
helped him develop a solid work ethic.
He found support and guidance that
deepened his spiritual life and trust in
God through Wedgwood’s Young Life
ministry. Craig was also an enthusiastic
participant in Wedgwood’s Wellness
activities and had the opportunity to go
on one special excursion that opened
new doors for his future.
4
the impact
A view of the landscape Craig encountered while on the Montana trip
“In 2007 I took my first trip to
Montana,” said Craig. “The furthest
out west I’d ever been was Minnesota.
It was awesome, seeing the mountains,
the Badlands and more. I was just
amazed by the beauty that God created
and I wanted to see it for myself.”
During the trip, Craig also established
a lasting and positive relationship with
ranch owner and Wedgwood Board
member Mick McGraw. He was later
invited back to the ranch and will now
be working as a ranch hand before
enrolling in college to study auto
mechanics next summer.
“Being part of Wedgwood has made
me a better person,” said Craig. “It’s
hard to say exactly where my life would
have wound up if I hadn’t come to
Wedgwood – maybe I wouldn’t be
homeless, exactly, but I know that I
| Fa l l 2 0 1 1 | w e d g w o o d . o r g
wouldn’t be living as well as I am now!”
Craig credits the cumulative impact
of Wedgwood’s services for his
ability to look forward in life with
confidence, without getting stuck
looking at the past with regret.
“The people who support Wedgwood
make a big difference to us,” said Craig.
“I’ve seen people be successful, and
some not be successful. It’s really up to
each person whether or not they use the
help they’re given. But I’ve learned that
there’s no point or purpose in just sitting
around feeling sorry for yourself. You’ve
got to get up, keep
going, and move on.”
Kevin Van Den Bosch,
L MSW, Director of
Clinical Services
T h e B e s t We e k O f Yo u r L i f e
W
By Sara Webb, Senior Young Life Coordinator
hat would
the best week
of your life
look like? For
many of our
Wedgwood clients the best week of
their life is hard for them to imagine.
When asked this question, most of
our clients share a dream of their
family being together again, having
one more week with a lost parent, or
undoing the choices they’ve made.
For 17 of our clients, the best
week of their lives became a reality
at Young Life camp. Young Life
promotes camp as just that; the “best
week of your life.” However, selling
that idea to our clients was difficult
to do. As I prepared each client for
camp, I kept telling them what an
amazing week they would have and
many of them would nod and smile,
having no idea what the best week
of their lives could really look like.
However, upon arriving at
camp, many of them no longer
needed any convincing. Read in
their words how they described
their camp experience:
“There was not ONE best thing
about camp. Everything was the
best. I had the best time of my life.”
“Camp was amazing, I did
not want to leave. I could
have stayed there forever.”
Young Life staff and volunteers guide campers through a variety of healthy and challenging activities
including: go-cart racing, high ropes, swimming, water sports and other camp activities.
“I think everyone should
experience Young Life camp.
It was life changing.”
The greatest thing for me as a leader
at camp is having the opportunity to
bring our clients to the foot of the
cross. Every day we would have an
opportunity to show them who Christ
is and how much He loves them.
After camp, some of our clients shared
about how they grew closer to God:
“I will never forget what
happened with me and God.
I learned God is real, mighty,
and always there for me.”
“I will never forget when we all
truly looked at our lives, and I
decided that now is the time to
change the way my life has been.”
Although some were doubtful
at first, through the fun activities
and life-changing encounters with
Christ we were able to provide,
many of our clients truly found this
trip to be the best
week of their lives!
Sara Webb,
Senior Young Life
Coordinator
w e d g w o o d . o r g | Fa l l 2 0 1 1 |
the impact
5
A Pa s s i o n F o r Tr a n s f o rm i n g M i n i s t r y :
Jim and Ellen Bruinsma
D
By Connie Frazier, Chief Advancement Officer
riven by a passion
to give abandoned,
bruised and
broken children
a chance in life,
Jim and Ellen Bruinsma are
examples of Christian leadership
at its finest. For more than three
decades, they have been embracing
Wedgwood’s mission through
enthusiastic and energetic support.
We appreciate their tender
hearts and sincere commitment
to Wedgwood’s ministry. Thank
you, Jim and Ellen, for standing
with us to answer His call.
How did you first get involved
with Wedgwood?
Ellen: When we moved back to Grand
Rapids in 1976, Madelyn VanGoor
asked her daughter in-law, Mary
VanGoor, to start a guild of younger
women. Madelyn was a member of
a Wedgwood guild and wanted to
encourage similar involvement with
Wedgwood by the “next generation.”
Mary recruited me and other
friends to form the Grace Guild.
In what ways have you been involved?
Jim: Ellen has been involved with
the Wedgwood guilds since the late
1970s. She has served as president
of the Wedgwood guilds for the
last 12 years. Since August 2010,
she has also been a member of
Wedgwood’s Board of Directors.
6
the impact
What stands out in your memory
of involvement with Wedgwood?
Jim: Ellen and I enjoy attending
Wedgwood’s annual dinner in
the Fall. One of the highlights of
the dinner is a video in which
former Wedgwood residents talk
about the positive impact that
Wedgwood has had in their lives.
What do you desire for the
children of Wedgwood?
Jim and Ellen Bruinsma
I have been a member of the committee
which planned Wedgwood’s golf
outing for the past five years, serving
as co-chair during the last four years.
We have been very blessed to have
increased the revenue of the golf
outing from about $50,000 during
my first year to $167,000 in 2011.
Also, I have provided legal services
regarding employee benefit plans to
Wedgwood for the last 25 years.
What drives you to be so supportive
of Wedgwood’s mission and work?
Ellen: Jim and I have a passion for
ministry that is focused on children
and young people. We support
Wedgwood’s ministry to hurting
individuals and believe in God’s ability
to transform their lives. We believe
that Wedgwood can be used by God
to make a difference in their lives.
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Ellen: Jim and I have two goals
for these children. First, on a
human level, for healing in a safe
environment in which personal
recovery can take place. Second, on
a spiritual level, a relationship with
Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
How might you encourage
others to support Wedgwood?
Jim: The starting point is to learn
more about Wedgwood’s ministry.
One way is to attend the annual
dinner. Wedgwood also schedules
periodic lunches for individuals
who want to learn more about
its ministry and opportunities
to become more involved with
Wedgwood. I
periodically invite
friends to attend
these lunches and
others can too.
Connie Frazier,
Chief Advancement Officer
Coming Soon
S l a ve r y I n O u r B a c k y a rd :
T h e M a n a s s e h P ro j e ct
Neurofeedback At Wedgwood
By Andy Soper, Coordinator, Manasseh Project
As outpatient counseling services
at Wedgwood continues to expand,
we are excited to announce that
a new form of treatment called
neurofeedback will be offered
at Wedgwood in early 2012.
T
he U.S. State
Department estimates
that there are 12.3
million slaves in the
world today – more
than at any other time in history.
People trapped in human trafficking
(also called modern-day slavery) are
sold into forced labor or commercial
sexual exploitation. However, this
is not simply an international issue
that can be addressed through global
aid. Slavery is real. It is everywhere.
It is happening in West Michigan.
The Manasseh Project began shortly
after social workers at Wedgwood
watched helplessly as a child they knew
and had cared for was trafficked and
exploited – sold to adults, by adults –
in Grand Rapids. Despite all of their
efforts to find her and offer aid, they
were unable and ill equipped at the
time to address her needs and trauma.
Unwilling to stand still and watch this
happen again, they began to research
the issue of human trafficking, both
globally and locally, while developing
relationships with anti-trafficking
organizations in West Michigan.
As a result, the Manasseh Project
was created as an outreach ministry
of Wedgwood, dedicated to ending
the sexual exploitation of young
men and women in West Michigan.
Through community education and
collaboration, the Manasseh Project
Nearly 2,400 trafficking victims
are estimated to live in West MI
provides support for victims of human
trafficking and empowers people in our
community to end modern day slavery.
The Manasseh Project is founded on
the belief that Christ came to restore
and re-create all life, and calls us to
stand with the oppressed and abused.
To learn more about the
Manasseh Project and how you can
get involved in helping Wedgwood
fight human trafficking, visit
www.manassehproject.org.
Just as a dancer practices in front of
a mirror to improve performance,
the functioning of the brain is
enhanced by receiving feedback in
real time. When a client receives
neurofeedback, brain waves
(measured by an EEG) provide
feedback to your brain, which
helps your brain learn to function
more effectively. Neurofeedback
is a non-invasive way of “training
your brain,” that can create
lasting and positive changes.
Feedback can be provided by
playing special video games or
even by watching your favorite
DVD. A wide variety of symptoms
can be treated with neurofeedback,
including attention difficulties,
impulsivity, hyperactivity, anxiety,
mood instability, headaches,
and sleep difficulties.
To learn more about neurofeedback
at Wedgwood, please visit:
www.wedgwood.org/neurofeedback
ndy Soper, MA, Coordinator,
A
Manasseh Project
w e d g w o o d . o r g | Fa l l 2 0 1 1 |
Elizabeth Raese, Psy. D.,
Clinical Supervisor ,
Outpatient Services
the impact
7
T h e F i r s t D a y O f S ch o o l
O
By Phil Haack, Principal Hope Academy
n Tuesday,
September 6th,
Hope Academy
opened its
doors and
welcomed nearly 290 students
to their first day of school.
Over the summer, the staff
spent much time preparing for
this milestone opening. They
collaborated professionally on the
implementation of curriculum and set
up school-wide procedures to provide
consistency, both academically and
socially, throughout the year.
Our goal is to make sure all
students are learning in a positive,
respectful and encouraging environment.
The teachers have worked hard to
prepare their classrooms and focus on
instructional processes that work in
order to provide a positive learning
environment for their students.
These efforts over the past
few months have more than paved
the way for a successful start to the
school year. Already, we have
surpassed our enrollment goals and
have a waiting list for those still
wishing to attend our school.
On opening day, Fr. José Luis
Quintana of the next door St. Francis
Xavier parish shared the following with
me, “I think that Hope Academy
will be good for the families,
children and the community.”
8
the impact
Fr. José Luis Quintana and Hope Academy Principal Phil Haack on the first day of school
So far, Hope Academy is off to
a terrific start and we are thankful
for your support in making that a
reality for the children and families
in the Garfield Park community.
If you would like more
information about our school,
visit www.
hopeacademywm.org.
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Phil Haack, MA,
Principal,
Hope Academy
A Bright Future
L i g hth o u s e A c a d e m y
C o m m e n c e m e n t 2011
Job Skills Training For Students
By Joe Gofoe, Young Life Coordinator
The following is an excerpt from a speech written by Joe Gofoe, Young Life
Coordinator, who was the commencement speaker at Lighthouse Academy graduation.
This year’s graduating class had the highest number of graduating seniors, with
20 students. All had plans for college, jobs, technical school, or the military.
P
assion is about letting go,
letting something consume
you. In its Latin roots it
can even be defined as
submission. Surrendering
is not always a place of defeat, because
often times it is a place of victory. When
you surrender your time to something
and see it through, it is a victory!
What is your passion? What drives
you? What is it that you have been
screaming into a balloon for all of
your 17, 18, or 19 years and is just
waiting to be released? It is there
you will find your purpose. What
frustrates you? Perhaps it is a problem
you are meant to solve. What makes
you happy? Perhaps it is your mission
to bring happiness to others.
There’s one thing that will always
roadblock your success: choosing
not to continue your education.
You will hear people say that college
isn’t for everyone, which some consider
true. Whether it’s a two, four or six
year degree, please do not say that
school will wait. Do not put school
off for later, because before you know
it, time will get away from you.
I prepared a poem for you graduates. It
is my hope and prayer that you receive it in
the heartfelt spirit in which it was written:
The three components of the RDY
Project are to help students develop
job skills, provide occupational
therapy services, and to evaluate the
effectiveness of the holistic teaching
approach practiced at both schools.
Joe Gofoe, Young Life Coordinator, speaks to
students at Lighthouse Academy Graduation
You are done, for today at least,
today is the day you can take a bow,
and release a sigh of relief.
No more asking for the key to
the restroom, no more RTC,
no more getting cleared out of the hallways.
No more homework,
or hearing “Go to class!” after you eat.
This is your time to separate
from the crowd,
to make your presence known,
to see your purpose found.
There are very few victories found
without first tasting of defeat,
you have broken through to a new level,
by making it here to this seat.
So I say congratulations,
you’ve made us all proud,
don’t forget your lessons,
or become lost in the crowd.
Don’t hide, express your passion,
let your light shine!
This fall semester one new program will
be available for Lighthouse (LA) and
Hope Academy (HA) students that will
help give our youth an even brighter
future. The Reconnecting Disadvantaged
Youth (RDY) Project, funded through a
$500,000 W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant,
will provide students with educational
opportunities and job skills training.
After an application process, ten
students will be chosen for part-time
paid internships each trimester. These
students will be accepted based on their
performance in the required courses
leading up to these internships.
A job skills task force made up of LA and
HA staff have also met with area business
people to make plans to introduce them
to our schools and the students this fall.
A number of businesses have already
partnered with LA and HA to encourage
disadvantaged youth to strive for success
and we continue to look for even more
businesses to work with in the future. If
you are interested in getting involved in
this project, please contact Heidi Cate at
hcate@lighthouse
academyschool.org.
w e d g w o o d . o r g | Fa l l 2 0 1 1 |
Heidi Cate, MA, M. Ed.
Superintendent,
Lighthouse and Hope
Academies
the impact
9
T h e I m p a ct
Yo u r S u p p o r t
By Connie Frazier, Chief Advancement Officer
A
t a time when we
are surrounded by
increasing economic
challenges, we are
truly thankful for the
hundreds of people who support
Wedgwood’s ministry through event
sponsorship or participation. All
of Wedgwood’s five Transforming
Services (Chaplaincy/Young Life,
Education Support, Wellness
Services, Prevention Services and
the Employment Training Program)
are funded 100% by event and donor
contributions. These services are what
makes Wedgwood so successful and
allows us to be a leading provider of
child and family services in our state.
We praise God for everyone whose
contributions made this year one of
the most successful in our history.
51st Anniversary Dinner
Save The Date:
November 1, 2012
Wedgwood’s rich heritage began
51 years ago, when members from
LaGrave Ave. Christian Reformed
Church and Calvary Church founded
and supported the boys and girls homes
for delinquent and homeless teens that
later merged to become Wedgwood.
As we celebrated God’s blessings,
we were encouraged and motivated
by Senior Pastors - Dr. Stan Mast
from LaGrave Ave. CRC and Dr.
Jim Samra from Calvary Church.
10
of
the impact
Both pastors articulated the
devastating needs of youth in our
community and encouraged us to
continue growing our faith-based
programs that bring Christ’s love
and hope to hurting youth.
Former Board Member Dr.
Marvin Sapp performed several
inspirational songs and we eagerly
applauded as Henry and Carolyn
Bouma were awarded the Doug
and Lois Nagel Leadership Award
in recognition of their service and
generous support to Wedgwood’s
ministries throughout the decades.
We rejoice in the knowledge of
God’s continued blessing and
guidance as we continue to address
needs in our community. Thank you
for helping us to raise more than
$245,000 for the Children's Hope
Annual Fund through this event.
Wellness 5K Walk/Run
Save The Date:
Coming Soon
Everyone was a winner as they
crossed the finish line! And, the
weather did not disappoint this year
as 200 walkers and runners enjoyed a
glorious fall morning on the course.
Mick McGraw, an enthusiastic
Wedgwood supporter and Board
Member, welcomed participants and
Jim Boelkins, Chairperson, Wedgwood
Board of Directors, opened in prayer,
giving thanks to God for His many
| Fa l l 2 0 1 1 | w e d g w o o d . o r g
blessings on Wedgwood over the last
51 years, along with offering a special
prayer for Terry Chamberlain, our
late beloved friend and colleague.
We are grateful to Berends
Hendricks Stuit Insurance agency
for making this event possible with
their title sponsorship, along with
support from Diversified Data Services,
Butterball Farms, Inc. and many
other dedicated sponsors. Thanks to
everyone for helping to raise more than
$40,000 in support of Wedgwood’s
five Transforming Services.
On Par With Excellence
Save The Date:
June 4, 2012
With God’s blessings, the
weather was picture perfect,
the golfers scrambled and the
event was a swinging success!
In June, Wedgwood’s 2011
Charity Golf Classic was on par with
excellence. Thanks to the dedication
of co-chairs Jim Bruinsma and Jim
Engen, the tireless efforts of committee
members and volunteers, our generous
sponsors, title sponsor Chemical Bank,
and Egypt Valley Country Club, we
enjoyed another
record-breaking
year, with 370
golfers and proceeds
of $167,000.
Connie Frazier,
Chief Advancement Officer
T h e I m p a ct
of
Yo u r S u p p o r t :
51 s t A n n i ve r s a r y C e l e b r a t i o n D i n n e r
Tables are set for guests at the Amway Grand
Plaza Hotel in downtown Grand Rapids for
Wedgwood's 51st Anniversary Dinner, which
was Wedgwood's largest event ever.
CELEBRATION
CO-CHAIRS
HONORARY
COMMITTEE
Dick and Linda Antonini
Jim and Barbara Boelkins
Henry and Carolyn Bouma
Ted and Barbara Etheridge
Dick and Ethie Haworth
J.C. Huizenga
Doug and Lois Nagel
Bill and Sally Swets
Jerry and Marcy Tubergen
Dave and Carol Van Andel
Randy and Terri Disselkoen
Bing and Jean Goei
Dan and Magee Gordon
Daniel and Betty Burton Groce
Jim and Barb Haveman
Robert and Nancy Havemen
Steve and Annie Hawks
Harvey and Mary Koning
Doug and Kathy Kool
Jay and Marty Kuiper
Jeff and Katy Lambert
Wally and Midge Olsson
Mayor Richard Root
Stan and Cyndy Stek
Duke and Sue Suwyn
Doug and Linda Taatjes
Mark and Carol Windemuller
HONORARY
CHAIRPERSONS
Tom and Nancy Claus
Dick and Betsy DeVos
Pat and Kim Gill
Bill and Clova Hardiman
Bob and Paulette Israels
Mark and LeAnne Jansen
Frances Johns
Philip and Lillian Koning
Herb and Sharon Lantinga
Dave and Judi Nykamp
Mark Peters
Nancy Peters
Tom and Mary Stuit
Steve and Cindy Van Andel
Sam Beals, President/CEO, Wedgwood
Christian Services, welcomes attendees
to the 51st Anniversary Dinner.
Dr. Marvin L. Sapp, Sr. Pastor of Lighthouse
Full Life Center Church and former Board
member, sings an inspirational song.
Jim Boelkins,
Board
Chairperson,
presents
Henry and
Carolyn
Bouma with
the second
Doug and
Lois Nagel
Leadership
Award from
Wedgwood
Christian
Services.
Dr. Jim Samra, Sr. Pastor, Calvary
Church, speaks to Wedgwood dinner
guests.
Dr. Stan Mast, Sr. Pastor, LaGrave Ave
Christian Reformed Church, shares a
message of hope with the audience.
To see more photos and a list of supporters, please visit www.wedgwood.org/anniversarydinner
w e d g w o o d . o r g | Fa l l 2 0 1 1 |
the impact
11
T h e I m p a ct
of
Yo u r S u p p o r t :
We d g w o o d We l l n e s s 5K Wa l k /R u n
Runners and walkers get ready to the begin the 5K at the starting line
Walkers in the 5K event make their way across
a bridge through the cross country course
Title Sponsor –
Community 5K
Berends Hendricks Stuit Insurance Agency
Title Sponsor –
Client 5K
Diversified Data
Systems
5K Course Sponsor
Wilma from Butterball Farms Inc. and Laura
Verbrugge from Wedgwood
Silver Sponsors
Volunteers help scoop and serve
gelato, donated by Palazolla Gelato, for
participants after the event
Kathy
Dembinsky,
Lighthouse
Academy
teacher,
greets
participants
as they
arrive to the
course
the impact
Gold Sponsor
Butterball Farms, Inc.
Wedgwood staff Stephanie Donovan and
Charles Carter enjoy their walk
12
Notions Marketing
Corporation
| Fa l l 2 0 1 1 | w e d g w o o d . o r g
The Chamberlain Family
Tim Engen
HUB International
TDS
Bronze Sponsors
Accident Fund
Insurance Company
Roskam Baking
Ribbon Sponsors
BenePay LLC
Care Point Benefits
Group
DeWit Brothers
Painting
Duthler Family Foods
Fuel Management Systems
Gilmore Collection
Life EMS
Quality Formika Inc.
Gary and Neda Raterink
Van Eerden Distribution
Friends
Bob's Disposal, Inc.
Delta Dental
Doug - Gazelle Sports
Fellowship Greens
Epic Race Timing
Hulst Jepsen Physical
Therapy
Kharmai Video
Production
Kentwood Fire Dept.
Lighthouse Prints
MC Sports
Palazolla Gelato
Silent Bark
And a special thank you
to Jim for providing the
course at Fellowship
Greens, Doug for
emceeing, Raymond at
Epic Race Timing, Silent
Bark for the music, and
Navin at Kharmai Video
Productions for the
sound system.
T h e I m p a ct
of
Yo u r S u p p o r t :
26 th A n n u a l G o l f O u t i n g
Title Sponsor
Zach Dennis, David Ramaker, Ed Fry and Art
Aldrich from Chemical Bank
platinum Sponsor
Bauer Products, Inc.
Bredeweg & Zylstra PLC
NETech Corporation
Gold Sponsors
Lumbermen’s Inc.
Northwestern Mutual
Financial Network
Kathy Eisenga, Sally Swets, Margaret Nault and
Cheryl Timyan
This event would not have been possible
without the dedication and determination
of our 2011 Golf Committee:
Jim Bruinsma,
Co-Chair
Jim Engen,
Co-Chair
Tim Alles
Marv Andringa
Judy Barnes
Sue Barthold
Bruce Bacon
Brad Bruinsma
Barry Capel
Jim Corl
Pat Dalton
Kathy Dembinsky
Gord Elgersma
Tim Engen
Michael Garrett
John LaBarge
Eric Lanning
Barry Luyk
Mark McMillan
Mary Beth Morgan
Margaret Nault
Cal Nagelkirk
Tom Oakes
Doug Oetman
Joellyn Potgeter
Aaron Schoonover
Jake Schrock
Norman Sedelbauer
Jodi Sevigny
Brad Sims
Mark Stuit
Kurt Van Dyken
Doug Van Eerden
Ron Van Houten
Curt Van Solkema
Tom Visser
Jim Vonk Sr.
Rick Zweering
Silver Sponsors
Allied Finishing, Inc.
Alloy Exchange, Inc.
Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Berends Hendricks Stuit
Insurance Agency
Borgman Ford/Mazda
Henry and Carolyn Bouma
Foundation
Elgersma Financial
Harvest Health Foods
HUB International
Huntington Bank
Miller Johnson
Parkwood Pharmacy
Pinnacle Construction Group
Stifel Nicolaus
Watkins Ross & Co.
Wolverine Power Systems
Bronze Sponsors
Applied Imaging
A & K Finishing
Air Components & Engineering, Inc.
BenePay
Betten Imports
Jim and Ellen Bruinsma
Comcast Business Class
Davenport University
Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC
Grand Flower Growers
The Granger Group
Herman Miller, Inc.
Integrity Business Solutions
Interactive Studio
Kentwood Office Furniture
Kool Chevrolet
KSC Properties/Photos by Kaity
Greg and Susan Lambert
McGarry Bair PC
Mercantile Bank
Merrill Lynch-Howell/Sharp Group
Miller Canfield
Newhof Construction
Norris, Perné and French LLP
Bruce and Shirley Osterhaven
Owen-Ames-Kimball
Realvesco
Red Creek Waste Services
Stonehenge Consulting
Suburban Inns
Van Eerden Distribution
Wendy’s
PRACTICE RANGE SPONSOR
Ron and Doris Van Houten
Hole Sponsors
Ajacs Die Sales Corp.
American Chiropractic Center
Bouma Corporation
D & M Metal Products
Financial Advisory Corporation
First Companies, Inc.
Hedrick Associates
Hudsonville Trailer Co.
Hungerford Aldrin Nichols &
Carter PC
Lamphear Service Co Heating & Cooling
Real Pro Auto Service
special recognition
ArrowHead Golf Course
Bayes Water Treatment
Brann’s Steakhouse and Grille
Celebration Cinema
Crystal Clean Automotive
Detailing
De Nooyer Chevrolet, Inc.
Design 1, Inc.
Doyle & Ogden Insurance
Egypt Valley Country Club
Exxel Engineering, Inc.
Ferris Coffee and Nut
Fifth Third Bank
The Fischer Group
Forest Hills Foods
The Gilmore Collection
Grand Hotel
Grand Rapids Ballet Company
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre
Grand Rapids Griffins
Grand Rapids Symphony
Heeren Brothers, Inc.
Kent Country Club
Lynx Golf Course
Maple Hill Golf Course
The Meadows
Meijer Inc.
Midwest Massage & Salon Services
Nugent Builders
Opera Grand Rapids
Pepsi Beverages Company
Pilgrim’s Run Golf Course
Railside Golf Club
RJM Design, Inc.
Sam’s Club
Save-A-Lot
The Shack
Spring Lake Country Club
StoneWater Country Club at Crystal Springs
Sun Bum LLC
Thomas S. Fox Diamond Jewelers
William Syverson DDS
Terra Verde Landscaping
Universal Sign Systems
Watermark Country Club
YMCA
TEE GREEN SPONSORS
Amway Grand Plaza Hotel
Berger Chevrolet
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Dr. and Mrs. Norman Boeve
Center Manufacturing, Inc.
Colliers International
Crown Honda Mazda Cadillac Buick
Dave Zylstra Insurance Company
De Kam Tile
Dominion Systems
EHTC Technology Solutions
Enterprise Envelope, Inc.
Founders Bank & Trust
Scott and Michelle Fraungruber
Gerrit’s Appliance
Grand Rapids Ophthalmology
Grand Rapids Round Table Club
J & H Oil Co.
Kamps Pallets, Inc.
Katerberg-VerHage, Inc.
Michigan Veal, Inc.
Mitco, Inc.
NAI West Michigan
Bob and Margaret Nault
Northwestern Mutual
Financial Network
Open Systems Technologies
Oppenheimer & Co.
Rapid Shred
Royal Securities Co.
Seif Chevrolet, Inc.
Stroo Funeral Home
Utility Contracting Company
VanderWeele/Stewart Group of Raymond James & Assoc., Inc.
Varnum
Whitecaps Professional Baseball Corp.
hole-in-one sponsors
Betten Imports
Delta Imports
Grand Buick
The Sharpe Collection of
Premium Automobiles
media sponsors
Grand Rapids Business Journal
The Grand Rapids Press
w e d g w o o d . o r g | Fa l l 2 0 1 1 |
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13
A C o u r a g e o u s L e g a cy
I
Honoring Those Who Serve
By Gar y Raterink, Planned Giving Officer
n 1994, the Wedgwood
Foundation made its first
distribution of $21,461 to
Wedgwood Christian Services.
That annual amount rose
steadily and in 2011 the Foundation
made its largest disbursement ever of
$134,959. With the 2011 payment, the
total disbursed to Wedgwood from the
Foundation has reached $1,552,210.
Many wonderful individuals have
given to the Foundation during their
lifetimes, as well as through bequests
upon their death. We are grateful
for each one and for the loyalty and
trust they place in Wedgwood and
its mission. Because of these faithful
stewards, more children received the
benefit of these gifts through the
Transforming Services provided by
a courageous agency dedicated to
serving God’s purposes here on earth.
Within the Foundation, we
encourage individuals to plan wisely
with their earthly assets as God has
blessed them. Many individuals use
charitable gift annuities to provide
an annual income, and upon death
to provide a gift for Wedgwood.
Others use life insurance policies,
charitable remainder trusts and
appreciated securities as gifts to benefit
our work. By far the largest source
of Foundation revenue comes from
bequests through estates and trusts
as individuals plan gifts upon their
departure to a heavenly home.
We are often surprised by bequests that
we did not know about. This summer, we
received a bequest of more than $71,000
from a donor whose annual gifts over her
lifetime ranged from $15 to $25. Though
we greatly appreciate these wonderful
surprises, we prefer to be informed of
such bequests so we can thank the
donor while they are still living. That
desire to know is why the Foundation
established the Legacy Society some
six years ago. We don’t seek to know
any potential dollar amount, but only
that Wedgwood will be remembered.
If you have decided to leave a legacy
from your earthly assets, we would be
pleased to know of
your decision so
that we can express
our thanks to you.
Gary Raterink, CPA,
Planned Giving Officer
If you are 70 ½ or older and have IRA retirement funds, please be aware of the tax advantages
of directing a portion of your distribution to Wedgwood. Such a rollover excludes the amount
from your taxable income. This tax advantage will currently end on December 31, 2011.
Please call Gary Raterink, (616) 831-5623 or email graterink@wedgwood.org with any
questions you have or if we can assist you in your planning.
14
Diversity Awards
the impact
| Fa l l 2 0 1 1 | w e d g w o o d . o r g
Diversity Award Recipients (from left) Ted
Bufkin, June Bufkin, Michael Robinson, Yohan
Daza, Rev. Kyle Ray, (Matt Elyea not pictured)
2011 Diversity Award Recipients:
• June Bufkin, Administration, Wedgwood
• Theodore (Ted) Bufkin, Lighthouse Academy
• Yohan Daza, Dawes Court Home, Wedgwood
• Matt Elyea, Zondervan Home, Wedgwood
• Reverend Kyle Ray,
Kentwood Community Church
• Michael Robinson, formerly of
Kent County Juvenile Court
This spring marked Wedgwood's 8th
Annual Diversity Awards Celebration.
The event, coordinated and hosted by
Wedgwood's Pastor Arlan Palmer and
the Diversity Committee, included
a breakfast and time of fellowship
in Wedgwood's Nagel Chapel.
This year's recipients of the Diversity
Award included individuals from
Wedgwood and the community
who show exemplary dedication
to promoting and supporting
diversity in our community.
We are grateful for each of these
individuals and their commitment to
supporting diversity in our ministries.
The Courage
C
to
Make
it
T h i s Fa r
By LeRae Kuperus, Director of Spiritual Formation
ourage to Grow.
When I heard that
this was the theme
of the Impact, my
initial thoughts were
not about our organization, but about
our clients. Every time I meet new
clients, this word “courage,” comes to
mind. Even before I hear their stories,
I think, “What courage it took for you
to make it this far!” I know by now
what I will hear. Stories filled with
so much loss and hardship. Many of
them know of no other life. They lived
each day the best they knew how.
And now they are at Wedgwood. My
next thoughts are always: Will they have
courage to grow? Will they be able to
live with past hurts, yet embrace a new
present? Will they let go of unhealthy
survival tools? Will they consider new
ways of thinking? Will they accept
our love and begin to see themselves
as worthy of love? Will they begin to
trust? Will they have courage to grow?
Growth involves change. Even when
change is both positive and necessary,
pain and fear can grip us and paralyze
us from moving forward. Letting go of
old ways. Being vulnerable. Trusting in
the unseen. Many of us who work with
our clients have to fight our impatience.
We want the big results now. We want
to see the client who does a complete
180. But we don’t always see that.
Yet acts of courage? All of the time.
It takes courage for a client to
accept help from staff they just met
and don’t really know or trust. It takes
courage to get up in the morning and
face another day when they don’t
know where they will be living in a
week or a month or a year. It takes
courage to go to school and admit
that they are two years behind their
grade level. It takes courage to go to
therapy and to share personal stories
that are filled with pain, rejection,
and sometimes guilt and shame. It
takes courage to think differently
about God, to ask the hard questions
of faith, and to wonder if trust
and hope in Him are possible.
Our clients learn from us. But we
also learn from our clients. “Be strong
and courageous,” God said to Joshua
thousands of years ago, “for the Lord
your God will be with you wherever
you go” (Joshua1:6a,9b). Jesus’ own
words echo the same theme: “Go and
make disciples,” Jesus tells his followers,
“and surely I am with you always...”
(Matthew 28:19a,20b). We tell our
clients that God is with them in every
courageous step they choose to take. He
can be their source of strength. And we
remind ourselves that we are following
Jesus’ command when we have courage
to grow in order to meet the ongoing,
oncoming needs present in the clients
we serve. Like him, we bring good news
to a broken, hurting, lost world. And
we are armed with
his simple assurance,
“I am with you.”
LeRae Kuperus, M. Div.
Director of Spiritual
Formation
w e d g w o o d . o r g | Fa l l 2 0 1 1 |
the impact
15
NON-PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID
GRAND RAPIDS, MI
PERMIT NO. 564
3300 36th Street SE  Grand Rapids, MI 49512-2810
March - September 2011 Gifts
IN MEMORY OF
Richard Anderson
Carol Anderson
Menno and Edythe Bont
Thomas Bont
Norene Botts
James and MarySue Brasser
Terry Chamberlain
Robert and Grace Bowman
Brenda Chamberlain
Tait Chamberlain
Jean-Marie Laugginger
June De Jager
Nella Groff
Richard Fuller
Dennis and Elaine Alberts
Thomas Deja
Daryl Desloover
Mr. and Mrs. Jay Ertl
Rev. and Mrs. Lee Fick
Linda Fuller
Dorothy Hartley
Cheryl Johnson
Marge Jones
Eric Lambert
Mr. and Mrs. John Lengyel
Gloria Manning
J. William and Nancy Newcomer
Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Owens
Jerry and Bonnie Randall
Craig and Trudy Sietsema
Dawn Silva
Mary Tate
Dennis Taylor
Guy and Imogene Teed
Gordon Gillissee
Marilyn Grant
Rich Gritter
Dick Gritter
Geraldine Kamps
Kelly Rembert
Leah Kos
Tauno and Lois Williams
Elmer Pohler
Catherine Pohler
Norman Pylman Sr.
Marilyn Grant
Fred and Nellie Ritsema
Albert Ritsema
Olive Vander Male
Arlene Kool
Mr. and Mrs. Ronald McCarty
David McClymont
Ray and Joan Nanninga
David and Sharon Wiersum
Laverne Woldyke
Gerald Vander Tuig
Kristin Bergh
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Brink
Dr. and Mrs. Peter De Boer
Peter and Nancy De Boer
Jack and Rosemary De Vos
Martin and Barb De Young
Steven and Mary De Young
Mr. and Mrs. Donald Ekdom
Jim and Barb Haveman
Jack and Anna Mae Holwerda
Dick and Alyce Houskamp
Cornelius and Marcia Huizinga
Jessie Koelewyn
Stephen and MaryJean Kolk
Agnes Masselink
Phillip and Melinda Mc Cabe
Glenn and Audrey Prince
Judy Schut
Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Stegink
Wayne and Barb Van Wylen
Faith Vander Tuig
Jay Vellenga
Marilyn Grant
IN HONOR OF
Jim Boelkins
Ray and Sue Smith
Grace De Vries
Don Sikkema
Lee and Janet Kihnke
Franklin & Barbara Van Buren
Jerry and Shirley Vander Tuig
Mark and Bonita Vander Tuig
Wayne and Shelly Vander Tuig
Sylvia Vlieger
Ralph and Lena Veen
Alyce Veen
Mary Vos
Steve and Barb Shattuck
Lois Volkema
Darrell and Joyce Ackerman
Dick and Betsy De Vos
Timothy and Kristine Gezon
James and Barbara Kackley
Ken and Marlene Kleinheksel
Daniel Molhoek
Gerald and Jessica Vander Wall
Donald Wallin
Jim and Carlee Koessel