Seeds Today, Blessings Tomorrow

Dear ICCF Community Homes friends and partners,

One of the biggest blessings of working in affordable housing is getting to meet families who moved from a state of despair to long-term stability and thriving. Many of them are writing their own stories that began before my time at ICCF Community Homes and will continue long into the future. These accomplishments can’t be measured in a single issue of Blueprints.

I’m excited for you to be introduced to Janice Dorsey, an artist, mother, homeowner, and ICCF’s newest board member. She faced difficult circumstances after arriving in Grand Rapids in the ‘80s, and was put in touch with ICCF. Eventually she was able to buy a home through a program facilitated by ICCF in the Baxter neighborhood.

Not only did this home change Janice’s life, but over decades it was a light in an uncertain world for her children and dozens of foster kids and other children in need. Many of those children have grown up and now have homes and children of their own. Janice has truly turned the gift of home into a gift for many generations.

Stories like Janice’s clearly show why safe, affordable housing in the hands of local families is such a sound investment, both for individual households and whole communities. Our long-term goal is to see the seeds that our neighbors planted in faith bloom into strength and longevity for generations to come. Like the tree mentioned in Jeremiah 17:8 which is planted by the water and does not fear heat or drought, we are always seeking to produce results that remain green and fruitful because of strong roots.

What seeds can you plant today that will create blessings long into the future?

Ryan VerWys, CEO