Tag Archives: HQ Grand Rapids

HQ and 3:11 Youth Housing plan joint fundraising event Oct. 10

3-bottom, Community Health, Crime Prevention, Food, Health, Non-Profits, Upcoming Events,
From last year’s “Connecting the Dots” event. (HQ)

By WKTV Staff
ken@wktv.org

HQ and 3:11 Youth Housing, two local groups which play “distinct and invaluable roles in the process of moving youth from crisis to housed,” will be hosting a collaborative fundraising event later this month in Grandville.

“Connecting the Dots: Walking with Youth from Crisis to Housed” will take place Thursday, Oct. 10, from 6-9 p.m., at the Grandville Banquet Center.

The event is “an exclusive evening of inspiration, food, and learning as we share the innovative collaboration between HQ and 3:11 Youth Housing,” according to supplied material.

“Our organizations serve youth experiencing homelessness or unsafe housing in Kent County. Together, HQ and 3:11 are modeling the power of intentional collaboration, highlighting how organizations can create a greater impact by working together. We believe when organizations intentionally partner to provide a continuum of services, youth are able to overcome crisis sooner and our Grand Rapids community is stronger.”

The event will include the opportunity to mingle and network during a cocktail hour including appetizers, a presentation sharing about the collaborative work of HQ and 3:11 Youth Housing, a sit-down dinner with dessert, an opportunity to win prizes and, most importantly, the “opportunity to make an impact by supporting the work of HQ and 3:11 Youth Housing.”

HQ is a drop-in center serving youth ages 14 to 24, according to supplied material. It offers a “safe space that provides rest, resources, and readiness to youth experiencing unsafe or unstable housing and other forms of crisis.” Youth have access to basic needs such as hot meals, showers, and laundry. Additionally, youth are connected to community partners and resources that help provide advocacy services, education & employability skill-building, and connections to affordable housing.

Youth at HQ have the opportunity to be referred to housing with 3:11 and other partners.

3:11 Youth Housing. according to supplied material, “develops safe, affordable housing for youth ages 18 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness and partners in their transition to healthy interdependence.” Four components essential to 3:11’s model are safe and affordable housing, house mentoring, case management, and alumni support.

The Grandville Banquet Center is located at 2900 Wilson Avenue SW, Grandville. Tickets are $85, are available here.

Godwin Heights wins key game, returns to football playoffs

City of Wyoming, Sports, ,

 

By Micah Cho, WKTV Sports Intern

ken@wktv.org 

 

Difficult weather conditions couldn’t slow down the Godwin Heights Wolverines as they jumped out a big first half lead Friday at home against the Lee Rebels and then made their way to a fourth straight playoff appearance.

 

A season that started out rough for the Wolverines, at 1-3, ended with a 6-3 record, and excited seniors and an even more excited coach.

 

“We’re just excited that we could close out the game, close out our season and get us into the playoffs,” said head coach Brandan Kimble, who will be entering his first post season as a head coach against the South Christian Sailors on Friday. “We started a tough season with our transition. It took a little fortitude for our kids to stick to it. We started 1-3 and we told the kids that if we just finally believe and trust in the system it’ll start to work.”

 

Defeating Wyoming Lee, 33-6, Kimble used the situation to teach his players a valuable lesson that goes beyond football.

 

“In the first half we were executing on all cylinders, we were really good,” Kimble said after his team jumped to a big first half lead. “But we really respect the Lee staff … (and) in high school football you can be in the same situation. We didn’t want to win (big) just to say that we did. We brought some freshmen up and some JV players up, so … (decided) to use the second half to get those kids some experience.”

 

In a game that was dominated by the Wolverines offense, defense was also a key factor in the playoff clinching game. Terrence Moore had the first interception of the first half returning it for a touchdown, while Deamontae Clark had another interception during the next Wyoming Lee possession.

 

“Hearing the kids scream right now is just a good feeling, especially in my first season as head coach,” Kimble said on the field after the game.

 

Also at the game was HQ, an organization dedicated to helping at-risk youths. Attendees who donated items to the organization were admitted into the game for free. (WKTV/Micah Cho)

Also at the game was HQ, an organization dedicated to helping at-risk youths. Attendees who donated items to the organization were admitted into the game for free. For more information on HQ, please visit www.hqgr.org.

 

Godwin Heights is set to play their first playoff game against South Christian at East Kentwood High School at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 26, which will be the WKTV featured game of the week.

 

This week’s WKTV Featured Game (which on Oct. 19 was East Kentwood’s home win against Rockford) and other sports events are cable broadcast either live, immediately after the event and/or in rebroadcast, on Comcast WKTV Channel 25 and on AT&T U-Verse Community 99.

 

WKTV’s featured football games are rebroadcast on the night of the game (Thursday or Friday) at 11 p.m. and Saturday starting at 11 a.m. See WKTVjournal.org/sports for complete schedules.

 

Godwin Heights football joins HQ to help youth facing housing crisis

3-bottom, Area Education, City of Wyoming, Community Health, Going Local, Non-Profits, Sports, Upcoming Events,

HQ is a drop-in center for youth ages 14 to 24 who are experiencing housing crisis. (Supplied/HQ)

By Godwin Heights Football and HQ

 

As a special feature of Friday night’s football game at Godwin Heights High School, the Night to End Youth Homelessness, Godwin Heights will admit attendees to the game for a donation of vital items for youth facing housing crisis.

 

On Oct. 19, when Godwin Heights host Lee, the two teams will be facing off with more than football on their mind. They will also be supporting local youth who are struggling to find safe and stable housing.

 

Staff and students at Godwin Heights saw that there are youth in Wyoming, and across Kent County, that are struggling with safe and stable housing, including at their own school.  This is an opportunity for the team and the community to step up and make a difference.

 

You can gain entry to the game with a donation of any of the following items:  liquid body soap, natural/urban hair products, deodorant, boxes of cereal, men’s and women’s underwear, packages of socks, white undershirts, toothpaste/toothbrush, winter hats, gloves/mittens, scarves.

 

“At Godwin Heights Public Schools, we have a number of students and families currently experiencing homelessness. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with HQ to help raise awareness and bring additional resources to this community issue,” according to a spokesperson for the school.

 

Godwin Heights High School currently has over 650 students and strives to build a legacy by building strong relationships with parents, students, staff and community partners.

 

HQ is a drop-in center for youth ages 14 to 24 who are experiencing housing crisis — staying in a shelter, a car, a tent, with friends or in a home environment that no longer feels safe. For each of these youth, access to resources, safety, and support from caring adults is no longer a given. This is where HQ comes in.

 

HQ exists to help young people find a place to rest, build connections, and receive support through relationship and professional skill building. We are a transformative space where everyone is welcome and diversity is celebrated. Youth are the experts of their own lives, and are encouraged and supported, with no strings attached, as they realize and achieve their goals and dreams.

 

For more information on HQ, please visit www.hqgr.org. To learn more about Godwin Heights high school, visit https://www.godwinschools.org/ .