Community Center

The information hub of our organization. The place to find information on all ministry programs and services, plus partner organizations.

Located in the main office at 710 West Fulton.
Staffed by a receptionist Monday through Friday from 9am to 4pm. (closed at noon on Friday in June, July and August)

Offers a hot cup of coffee and sometimes donuts and snacks while you wait for appointments or services.

Contact us at 616.454.4011

Women's Ministry

Volunteers are needed to help with child care for some programs, to drive one of our vans and to teach crafts. Do you have time to share with our neighbors?

Please contact Deb, at 616.454.4011, ext 22, if you can help.

Women's Breakaway -day and time varies
Crafts and fellowship for women. Beads, scrap books, life skills classes, stamping and more. Neighborhood women enjoy opportunities for learning, Christian nurturing, positive interaction, and mutual support.

Design and Discovery - Thursday 9:30am to 11:30am during the school year
Provides women a time of Bible study, crafts, and fellowship during the school year. Childcare is provided.

PILOT - Monday evenings
Small group setting to train committed women for leadership. Mentor style study and discussion.

Thursdays Away - Thursday 10am to 4pm
During the summer months women enjoy an outing almost every week. Time for Bible study and devotions is included.

Men's Ministry

1 Peter 2:17 says: Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, show reverence to God, honor the King.

The Brotherhood is a group of men from the neighborhood who play and study together. They enjoy small group Bible study, meals together and recreational activities.

The Brotherhood invites men from our neighborhood to share in the fruits of Christ's work. Working to establish a sense of Shalom, or God's complete and fulfilling peace, the group hopes to motivate and support each other in making their lives whole in Jesus.

Each member of the Brotherhood promises to:

Show proper RESPECT to everyone
Be COMMITTED to the group
FOLLOW the model of CHRIST
Live as a GOOD CITIZEN

Do you have an idea for or would you like to host this group for an outing? Could you offer a skill to teach?

Food Pantry

Hours of Service:

Monday - 12:30 to 2pm
Tuesday - 12:30 to 2pm
Wednesday - 12:30 to 2pm
Thursday - 12:30 to 2pm
Friday - 12:30 to 2pm
(closed on Friday in June, July and August)

We rely on the generous donations of churches and individuals to keep our pantry shelves filled for our neighbors in need. Check out our Donations page for a current list of items we need.

We are a member of the ACCESS food pantry network.

Contact Melita 616.454.4011, ext 24, if you are interested in helping with our pantry.

Job Search Assistance

Neighbors are invited to sit with a staff member and view the job listings on the Michigan WORKS website.

• Resume building
• Interview skills and etiquette
• Networking

Westown Jubilee Housing

Westown Jubilee Housing (WJH) is a separate, not-for-profit organization considered to be our sister organization. WJH's main focus is to identify, select and prepare local families for urban homesteading in the Westown neighborhood. WJH owns homes and rents rooms and apartments to neighbors in need. For more information, see www.wjhousing.org or call WJH at 616.458.4841, Tuesday through Thursday.

Westown Link

We operate a computer lab, on site, for adults and teens. Volunteer teachers use the lab for classes for neighbors with all levels of experience. Our lab offers:

Five computer stations
Adult and teen instruction in the basics of computer use various levels and areas of instruction

Children's Ministry

School Year activities

ROCK - large group fun and learning
Discipleship Groups
Instrumental music lessons
Vocal music lessons
Dance lessons
STEPS Dance Team
Staff and volunteers provide tutoring at local elementary schools

Summer activities

TEAM - daily activities for children 3rd - 6th grade
Anchor - activities for children K - 2nd grade
STEPS Dance Team

Would you like to help with any of these exciting activities?

Contact Brian at 616.454.4011, ext 19.

Teen Ministry

School Year and Summer activities

We have a vibrant youth program for both Junior and Senior High teens focusing on Youth Leadership.

Would you like to get involved with the teens in our neighborhood?

Contact Andrea at 616.454.4011, ext 20.

Summer activities

Y E S (Youth Employment Services) is our summer program for local teens. Each summer since 1984, teens ages 14 to 16 have provided lawn care and household chore services to our senior neighbors. Teens gain vital employment experience and learn money management principles.

Contact us by, mail@theotherway.org, or by phone, 616.454.4011

Crisis Intervention & Service Referrals

• Provide referrals to other ministries and social service agencies
• Seek to meet individual needs
• Link those in need with our resources and available services in health care, housing, or employment opportunities
  
• Christian counselor available by referral to provide free confidential counseling for adults, children, couples, and families

Counseling Services

The Christian Counseling Center partners with us to help our neighbors with counseling needs. A Christian counselor is available each Wednesday to provide free confidential counseling for adults, children, couples, and families.

Our neighbors are referred to the counselor by a staff member. Our staff is also available for counseling by appointment .

Contact us by email, mail@theotherway.org, or by phone, 616.454.4011

Christmas Store

• "The gift with dignity"
• Annual December event since 1990
• Open for one week in early December
• Operated by and for parents of children (under age 18) in our neighborhood
• Stocked with donated (new / purchased) items
• Managed and operated by neighborhood parents
• Parents earn credit by volunteering in the community (schools, churches and agencies)
• Credits are used to purchase the donated items
• Each item is "sold" at half the retail price

What can you do?

• Contact Natalie at 616.454.4011, ext 10 (between 12noon and 4pm)
• Request packet of information in September (suggested gifts, collection schedule, promotional letter and poster)
• Collect gifts ($10 minimum value please)