Transitional House celebrates first year!

A Q U A R T E R LY N E W S L E T T E R
SEPTEM BER 2016
Transitional House celebrates first year!
Dégagé’s After Care Patron Advocate walks alongside
the women by engaging with them in weekly one-on-one
meetings and monthly house meetings, as well as
being available for immediate housing and personal
needs that arise. We are grateful for the opportunity
to invest in the futures of these women and look
forward to how God will use the Transitional House
in the coming year.
In September 2015, Dégagé opened the doors of our
Transitional House to three women from the Open
Door. While a home of their own is the dream of every
woman we serve, moving from the street to a shelter
to a home can still be daunting. For some, sudden
isolation from the community they have lived in can
be difficult. For others, meeting deadlines with rent
and utilities can be a challenge.
At Dégagé, we firmly believe there is a significant
difference in a person’s likelihood of success if they
have someone to walk alongside them through a
transition. The Transitional House is one more way
we can help ensure the women will not only succeed
but thrive one day in their own permanent housing.
The house accommodates three women who each
have a private bedroom. Each woman provides a
portion of the rent based on her income and shares
in household chores. The women who do not already
have jobs are offered employment with Pauls’ Moms’
Cookies. Two of the women have accepted that
opportunity and remain employed, to this day,
experiencing great success.
The Impact of the
Transitional House
While staying at the Open Door, Mary* had many obstacles to
overcome. She faced health issues and struggled with anxiety
and a lack of confidence, which delayed her from taking the
next step into housing.
When the opportunity to move into Dégagé’s transitional
house was presented to Mary, she was apprehensive, but
our staff worked with her to address her concerns.
After several months of living in the Transitional House, Mary
was approved for her own apartment and moved in! She
has been successfully living there since March 2016 and
continues to utilize our After Care Patron Advocate for support.
Mary recently told the staff that the help Dégagé provided
not only led her to an apartment, but also increased her
understanding of money management, helped her set and
accomplish goals, and taught her to maximize her own
strengths and be more self-sufficient.
*Name has been changed to protect her privacy
We are prayerfully seeking private landlords who are willing to
partner with us in providing affordable housing for those we serve.
Updates
Transforming Lives, Restoring Hope
144 Division Ave S, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4216
Phone: (616) 454-1661 Fax: (616) 459-7200
www.degageministries.org
This quarterly newsletter is published by Dégagé Ministries to keep
friends and supporters informed about the ministry’s work in the
community. Your questions and comments are always welcome.
Mission of Dégagé Ministries
N OW S H I P P I N G
Degageministries.org/cookies
To reflect the love of Christ to all who come through our
doors by building relationships and offering programs
that foster dignity and respect.
Dégagé Ministries Staff
Marge Palmerlee
Executive Director
marge@degageministries.org
Bridgette Bassford
Assistant Executive Director
bridgette@degageministries.org
Kim Wybenga
Office Manager
kim@degageministries.org
Joy Petroelje
Development Director
joy@degageministries.org
Angela Ewing
Thursday
October 13
12:00PM - 1:15PM
Discover Dégagé
Discover Dégagé is designed to be both informal and informational,
including a light lunch, a tour of our facility, and a time of sharing
in our Open Door Women’s Center. Whether you visit our building
frequently or have never yet been inside, we welcome the chance
to gather with you and others who are interested in the ministry.
Register: Please visit our website degageministries.org/events
for more information and to register. Please RSVP by October 6.
Operations Manager
angela@degageministries.org
Bob Kreter
Marketing Manager
bob@degageministries.org
Our year so far...
Holly Kammel
Volunteer Coordinator
holly@degageministries.org
6,944
4,604
96
30,346
Showers taken
Loads of laundry
Board of Directors
Kelly Domagala
Kenneth Fawcett, Jr.
Claire Groen
Tom Kramer
Fred Lake (President)
Deborah McCreary
Lawrence Murphy
Susan Rechner
Phil Rienstra
Patty Riva
Bud Roegge
Lorraine Swainston
Jeff VanderLaan
IDs requested
January - July
Meals Served
A Note From Marge
Dégagé Ministries’ Executive Director, Marge Palmerlee
Courage……that is the word that describes Cindy.
Sitting in my office with her, Cindy radiates such
peacefulness that it is difficult to imagine the chaos
she once lived in. When she lost her job a number
of years ago, she lost everything and found herself
living under a bridge. Cindy says those days were
filled with anxiety and uncertainty and that everyday
felt like a nightmare that wouldn’t end.
After drifting from place to place over the years,
Cindy came to Dégagé’s Open Door Women’s
Center where she began the hard work of breaking
old habits and setting new goals. With caring staff to
walk alongside her, Cindy faced her fears, achieved
her goals, and found the courage to step from the
comfortable and familiar environment of the Open
Door into our Transitional Housing program.
That move gave Cindy the hope that a more secure
life was possible, and it gave her the courage to
accept a job opportunity with Pauls’ Moms’ Cookies.
While the job gives her the ability to pay her rent
and meet her needs, she is quick to say that it
is more than just a job. Cindy says that it is
encouraging for her to work alongside
women who have the stability she always
wanted and to know that she is accepted
and welcomed unconditionally.
Earlier this year, Cindy made another big move
into her own apartment! Her days have turned
from chaos to peace and her prayers from
desperation to praise. Cindy has shown great
courage throughout her journey and, through it
all, she says her faith is what sustained her.
Cindy continues to face each day with courage
knowing that God is in control.
What a privilege it is to walk this journey with Cindy and to celebrate God’s love and faithfulness in her life. To God be the glory!
Cast all your anxiety on him because
he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Marge Palmerlee,
Executive Director
As she nears her one-year anniversary
at her job, Cindy has a newfound
confidence and the reputation
as a rock star with staff and
volunteers at Pauls’ Moms’
Cookies.
Marge and Cindy
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,
for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Art Prize
“Reach high, for the stars lie hidden in your soul.
Dream deep, for each dream precedes the goal.”
Mother Teresa
We are all dreamers. We are born with dreams instilled
in us by God. For some, dreams are fulfilled early and
in obvious ways. For others, the fulfillment comes
slowly and subtly. And still, for some, dreams have
gone unfulfilled for so long that they become forgotten
Husband and wife team, Bill and Michelle
and lost.
For several years, Dégagé has served as an ArtPrize venue, featuring work by local and
out-of-state artists. This year, volunteer and professional photographer Michelle Cuppy
had a vision for Dégagé’s own ArtPrize entry - a project to help bring dreams back to
life. Our goal at Dégagé is to serve and love those who feel forgotten and unwanted. For
ArtPrize Eight, the vision is to help our patrons remember and reclaim dreams that were
forgotten and lost.
Thomas
The project began with a survey asking patrons to tell us the dreams they had as children
and the dreams they have today. The response was overwhelming and the answers
moving. From there, four patrons were selected to participate in the project, and they
lived their dreams for a day. Thomas spent a day as a train conductor and professional
singer in a recording studio. Sam spent a day being pampered and photographed feeling
as beautiful as she always dreamed to be. Charles and Jennifer experienced a lakeshore
sunset for the first time in their lives.
Sam
Michelle and her husband, Bill Cuppy, a professional videographer, captured every
moment of these experiences and are creating a multimedia art installation to show the
beauty and power of restored dreams. We are grateful for their passion to touch lives in
such a meaningful way, and we hope, through their work, ArtPrize visitors will be inspired
to dream and to consider how they can make others’ dreams come true.
Charles & Jennifer
We invite you to visit the installation at Dégagé, and see this transformation for yourself.
ArtPrize is from September 21 - October 9. Come and be part of the journey.
Programs
Witnessing the Emotional and Spiritual Needs
Jennifer praying with a patron
Jennifer, Dégagé’s Program Manager, recently had a patron stop
by her office asking for help in finding furniture for her apartment.
Jennifer suggested the woman chat with the Resource Office and
asked her about her apartment and family. The woman talked
about her children and their new apartment. She then shared she
had recently lost two babies, and how she wished they could be
with her family as they move in to their new place.
Jennifer then was speaking with another patron. He mentioned that he and his wife recently lost their daughter
and how hard it was to accomplish what needed to be done while homeless. Jennifer took the opportunity to
pray with the couple. This patron was so thankful for the prayer and encouragement.
Jennifer was struck with the realization that two different patrons were struggling with such similar tragedies. It
was a good reminder that while we provide tangible services, such as showers, laundry service, personal care
items and more, we also are here to witness the less tangible needs, the emotional and spiritual needs that our
patrons sometimes share with us. In these instances, she was reminded that there are times when prayer and
encouraging words are all we can do to help with these needs and that we should never underestimate their power.
Enriching Patrons’ Lives This Summer
Each spring we invite you to help enrich our patrons’ lives by sponsoring summer outings. Thank you for
answering the call! Our programs help to meet basic needs, but we also recognize it’s important to offer fun
outings and activities so our patrons can escape the monotony of everyday life on the street. These outings
provide our patrons with an environment where their labels are stripped away, no one is judging them, and
they can temporarily leave their problems behind. When you witness the joy it brings, you can truly understand
why life enrichment is an important part of our programming. Two Beach Days
A Day at the Zoo
Whitecaps Game
Hudsonville Community Fair
Dégagé publishes a weekly prayer letter with requests from our staff and patrons. We are thankful to
each one who partners with us in prayer. To be added to the email list or to receive a copy delivered to
your home, please contact Kim at 454-1661, ext. 210 or kim@degageministries.org.
Christmas Store
The Joy of Giving
Our patrons rarely have the opportunity to buy nice
gifts for their family or new items for themselves.
Through our Christmas Store on December 14,
they are given the joy of being able to do so.
How you can help
Donate
Shoppers enjoying a large assortment of gifts.
Christmas Store Wish List
Purchase an item from the list on the right.
Gift donations range in value from $5 - $25.
We ask that gifts please be delivered to
Dégagé, unwrapped, by December 7.
You can go to our online Amazon Christmas
Store at degageministries.org/wishlist and
click on Christmas Store. Your purchase will
be shipped directly to Dégagé Ministries.
Please order by December 1.
If you would prefer to donate financially,
we will be happy to use those funds for gift
purchases. To donate online, visit our website
and click “Donate Now.”
Volunteer
• Games and puzzle books for adults
• Small appliances (coffee maker, toaster,
microwave, crockpot, etc.)*
• Hats, scarves, gloves (new)
• Flashlights and batteries
• Radios, alarm clocks, other household items
• Towels (all sizes)*
• Sheet sets (all sizes)*
• Tool kits
• Backpacks
• Socks, underwear, long underwear, undershirts,
(men & women)
• Candles and jewelry
• Wrapping paper and Christmas cards
• Men’s toiletries*
We will need many volunteers to make the
Christmas Store happen! If you are interested
in being a personal shopper or gift wrapper,
we would love to have you!
• Headphones and electronics
• Sleeping bags and blankets*
• Kid’s clothes and toys
• Pajama sets (all sizes)
* Favorite items
If you have questions or would like to volunteer, please contact Suzanne at
616.454.1661, ext. 230 or suzanne@degageministries.org
Ribbons of Hope
In Memory of
WILLIAM BAZUIN
Kenneth and Carla Avink
Lugene and Eldred Bazuin
Carl and Ruth Clevenger
Michael and Debra Door
Betty Ham
Betty Kingma
Marvin and Phyllis Klyn
Herman Miller Inc.
Ethel Mulder
Marge Palmerlee
Melvin and Alice Stein
Chris VandenBerg
Doug and Sandy Walcott
JOE BEEL
In Honor of
LOIS JOHNSON
Greg and Loryn Lougheed
ERV & TONI KRETER
DONALD BUSHMAN
The Kreter Family
Denise Sliva
WILLIAM PATTON
FRIENDS & LOVED ONES
Judith Kaplan
RUSS REID
Garth and Debra Jenkins
JOHN VANDERWAL
Jan VanderWal
Thelma Freedberg
TAMMY FRIESEN
Brent and Debra Wilcoxson
DR. JOHN LUDWIG
John and Barb Alkema
KATE ZANDEE
Megan Connors
Jack and Paula Winn
Lenora Rus
ANN DELEEUW
Bill & Anita Alverson
Ted DeLeeuw
THE BLOOM FAMILY
Edward and Sally Zandee
THEIR MOTHERS
To make a gift in honor or in memory of a loved one, go to degageministries.org
and click the “Donate Now” button. Scroll down to “Make this Donation a Tribute.”
Please join us for an inspiring and heartwarming event celebrating Dégagé
Friday, November 18, 2016
Event begins at 6:30 pm.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Join us for a wonderful catered meal, fellowship with Dégagé
partners, and a ministry update presented by Executive Director,
Marge Palmerlee. Following the event, enjoy access to Frederik
Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
Tickets are $50 per person and can be purchased at degageministries.org/events.
To inquire about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Joy at 616.454-1661, ext. 213
or joy@degageministries.org.
Non-profit Org.
U. S. Postage
PA I D
Grand Rapids, MI
Permit # 1027
144 Division Ave S
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4216
www.degageministries.org
(616) 454-1661
If we have your name or address
listed incorrectly, please let us
know and we deeply apologize.
wish list
Dreaming Big
• Carpet cleaning services
• Commercial vacuums
• Gift certificates to Office Depot,
Home Depot & Gordon Food
Service
• Heat treatment chamber for bed
bug prevention
• Multifunctional color printer
• POS System (point of sale)
• Self-Dispensing ice machine
Kitchen & Dining Room
• Coffee
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Non-Dairy creamer
• Sugar
• 55 Gallon trash bags
Thank you for helping us provide low-cost services to our patrons. Without
your generous donations from our Wish List, this would not be possible.
Life Enrichment Center
• All-day bus tickets
• Blankets
• Body wash - large
• Deodorant
• Foot powder
• Gloves, hats and scarves
• Lotion - large
• Men’s belts
• Men’s boxers and briefs
• Rain ponchos
• Razors
• Washcloths
• Umbrellas
• Undershirts and T-shirts
(S-3XL)
• White socks
• Women’s hygiene products
Maintenance
• 8 dryer booster fans ($200 each)
• Cleaning supplies
• Hand cranked flashlight (6)
The Open Door
• Adult Depends large sizes
• African American hair products
• Chap-stick
• New women’s underwear
and bras
• Slippers
• Socks
• Shower shoes
• Full and queen size sheets
• Undershirts and T-shirts - 3XL
• Vaseline
Welcome Baskets
A gift for patrons on move-in day
• Bath towels
• Bed sheets - Full & queen
• Full and queen-size blankets
and comforters
• Inflatable mattresses
• Pots and pans
BOLD - MOST URGENT
www.degageministries.org/wishlist
You can purchase items online using our Amazon Wish List. We have provided you with many options
to choose from. Your purchase will ship directly to Dégagé. Thank you.