Tag Archives: WKTV Journal Soundbites

Local organization “wows” youth with intentional and extravagant love

LOVED youth program founder Steve Carigon and VP of Advancement Brooke Jevicks talk with Managing Editor Deborah Reed on WKTV Journal Soundbites about how they WOW kids with love at Wedgwood Christian Services.


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


The Wedgwood Christian Services (WCS) LOVED program is intentionally “wowing” youth with extravagant love.

“The majority of the kids that come into our care have been chronically neglected and abused,” says Brooke Jevicks, VP of Advancement at WCS, adding that many youth go through 7-12 failed placements before being referred to WCS for help.

(Courtesy, WCS)

When youth are critically neglected and abused, it reinforces doubt and the question: Am I worthy of being loved?

“It’s critically important for a human to know that they are valued and worthy, and that they are loved,” says Jevicks. “You want to work on yourself differently when you know and believe that. You work harder for yourself, you fight for yourself, you advocate for yourself.”

Love – with intention

Youth pastor Steve Carigon founded LOVED when the previous WCS youth ministry faltered under pandemic gathering restrictions.

Based on bible verse John 3:16, LOVED was born shortly after – with intention.

“It’s something that the kids need,” says Carigon. “These kids have not been loved properly, and we’re going to do everything we can to show them that they are loved by God, and by us, any way we can.”

LOVED is held at 4 p.m. every other Thursday and is open to all WCS home residents. However, attendance is not mandatory.

Even the bubbles are intentional

LOVED begins at the front door with a bubble machine and a red carpet.

“We want them to feel like stars and that they are awesome,” says Carigon.

Wedgwood supporters play a game similar to a game LOVED youth play while being cheered on (Courtesy, WCS)

Jevicks agrees. “Staff are cheering for every kid. They are seriously in the business of making sure those kids know, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are worthy of being loved.”

Upon entering the building, youth choose a flavored sucker and receive a raffle ticket. They are then ushered into the music-filled chapel where kids can sit or play games before the program begins.

A countdown on the screen gets things rolling. After the welcome and a reminder that they are loved, an interactive on-screen game begins that typically involves a lot of…yelling and candy-throwing.

For the next game (anything from flipping bottles to using sticky gel hands to retrieve items off a table), youth approach the stage when their name is drawn, are introduced, and then cheered on by everyone in the room.

Raffle tickets, crab legs and a…unicorn?

Next onstage is the…raffle unicorn.

“We have a unicorn costume, and kids always want to be the unicorn,” says Carigon with a laugh.

Wedgwood guests cheer when names are called as is done for youth who attend LOVED (Courtesy, WCS)

Raffle numbers are read, and winners choose what they want for lunch the next day.

“They love it,” says Carigon. “The kids are starting to understand that I literally will get them anything they want for lunch. Last week I went to Red Lobster and got crab legs.”

A 10-minute talk on God’s love wraps up the program.

“They’re getting it.”

“I see a bunch of kids receiving and expressing love in normal conversations,” says Carigon, noting that a large portion of that happens outside of actual LOVED events.

One of Carigon’s favorite things is hearing youth shout, “You’re loved!” across campus.

“It means they’re getting it,” says Carigon.

(Courtesy, WCS)

Carigon also enjoys seeing WCS youth wear LOVED wristbands, shirts and hats around campus.

“They wear the shirts, and it’s like a proclamation saying, ‘I’m loved. I’m wearing the shirt, I’m loved.’”

That declaration is about more than shirts – it is about relationships.

“It’s me, the leaders, the other chaplains building relationships with kids,” says Carigon. “We’re well-known around campus because we work at doing rounds and seeing kids in between classes, at lunch and after school. We try to intersect their lives as much as possible.”

Loved people…love people

“The same question all humans ask is, am I loved?” says Carigon. “I’m also a human, so I feel that too. Our own brain is really good at telling us that we’re not good enough.

(Courtesy photo)

“Even though you may not think you’re enough, you are exactly enough.”

Carigon firmly believes that consistently hearing we are loved and valued changes the way we interact with ourselves and with other people.

“When you feel love yourself, you start loving other people,” says Carigon. “[And] we’re supposed to love other people. My hope is when these kids feel loved, it changes their outcome.”

Jevicks says that is the heart of LOVED. “They’ve put so much thought and intention into it, [and] there is a meaningful message for youth so they know that they are loved by their Heavenly Father. Exactly who they are right now, today, He loves them deeply.”

That extravagant love is why Carigon loves his job.

“When you love people – especially kids that haven’t been loved well – how can you have a bad day?” 

Refusing to abandon our youth

“What sets WCS aside is that deep love for these kids – and not abandoning them,” says Jevicks. “LOVED is not a mandatory program to receive good care and to be loved. We’re going to love you anyway. That’s the gift of Wedgwood.”

A LOVED event guest writes a blessing for a youth in WCS residential care (Courtesy, WCS)

WCS staff continue demonstrating support and love even when youth push them away.

“We anticipate that, we understand it, we’re not surprised by it,” says Jevicks. “It’s a trauma response; it’s protection. It’s all they know.”

When youth push, WCS staff plant their feet, respecting boundaries while continually acknowledging and caring for them. Over time, youth often take steps to close that gap.

“Those are powerful moments,” says Jevicks. “It illustrates the power of love. True, sincere, Christ-like love. Go ahead and push me away, because I understand why you’re pushing me away. You do what you need to do, and I’m going to keep being right here for you.

“That’s what Wedgwood does for these kids, and they get even more of that at LOVED.”

For more information on LOVED and other WCS programs, click here.

State Rep. John Fitzgerald delivers a direct message of transparency to residents and recaps 2023

Rep. John Fitzgerald sat down with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed to deliver a 2023 wrap-up for residents (Courtesy, WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

Rep. John Fitzgerald (Courtesy, Supplied)

State Representative John Fitzgerald sat down with WKTV Journal Soundbites to recap “an exciting year in the legislature” and deliver a direct message to his constituents in District 83.

“I am a representative for this community, of this community, and I’m a conduit for information both from Wyoming, southwest Grand Rapids, and Byron Township to Lansing, but also the other way,” said Rep. Fitzgerald.

Bringing transparency to local legislature

Driven by a “listen first” mentality, Fitzgerald is also committed to transparency. And that means keeping his constituents “in the know” about legislative happenings that affect their communities.

One of the bills passed and signed into law under Fitzgerald’s guidance made the Affordable Care Act state law. This ensures that if federal law requirements to receive health insurance were ever preempted or withdrawn, quality healthcare would still be available to Michigan residents.

Fitzgerald’s bill was specifically aimed toward extending dependent care, allowing dependents to remain on their primary caregivers’ insurance until age 26.

“We also passed significant energy law reform that is going to put us on a track to 100% clean energy by 2040,” said Fitzgerald. “This legislation is going to really put us as the leader in the Midwest when it comes to clean energy.”

Included in the bill is language specifying a Kent County incinerator facility shutdown by 2040 due to health concerns surrounding that facility.

Looking ahead

Fitzgerald said he is currently working on increasing transparency and ease of understanding to the public via the Open Meetings Act.

Rep. Fitzgerald aims to increase transparency in legislature (Courtesy, WKTV)

“If you’ve ever seen the Open Meetings Act language, it can be kind of gray,” Fitzgerald said. “We don’t want gray. We want to make sure that there is adherence to the Open Meetings Act.”

Supporting families via family leave under the Affordable Care Act is also on Fitzgerald’s agenda.

“As somebody who has a young child in daycare, it’s a very expensive cost to Michigan families, and we want to make sure that we’re creating that environment to support [them],” said Fitzgerald. “My mission is that Michigan could be the best place to raise a family in the country.”

Education

With seven school districts in the City of Wyoming alone, and several more compiling District 83, education is also on Fitzgerald’s mind.

A new budget is a milestone for local schools (Courtesy, pxhere.com)

With so many public school districts with varying needs, a budget was passed in 2023 that Fitzgerald said is a milestone for the City of Wyoming and southwest Grand Rapids. 

“One of those things that we passed [is] free school lunch and breakfast for all public schools,” said Fitzgerald, adding that they have already seen great implementation by local school districts.

Tax relief

Thousands of seniors, Fitzgerald said, are receiving an average of $1,000 back due to a pension tax return repeal and retirement tax repeal.

On the flip side, working families are receiving a tax credit.

“There were 8,400 (District 83) households who qualified for that last year,” said Fitzgerald. “We are now putting more money back in those 8,400 households.”

“Show me the money” – Tax dollars coming home

“We brought home almost $70 million into services and infrastructure and goods that are going to impact [and] amplify the lives of Wyoming residents,” said Fitzgerald.

$20 million will facilitate the Wyoming City Center project.

“When polled,” Fitzgerald said, “Wyoming residents say, We want a place to call home, that we can identify as: that is Wyoming. We don’t have that.

“But the City has taken this on to say, we’re going to build a downtown multi-use walkable area, and we’re going to do that on 28th Street.”

(Courtesy, pxhere.com)

$35 million is allocated to the Grand Rapids Fire Department to build a new station and training center on South Division Avenue.

“That is helping to support services that actually directly impact southwest GR and Wyoming,” said Fitzgerald. “When we need mutual aid, they’re coming into Wyoming as well.”

The West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will receive $5 million to assist in moving to a new district location.

$5 million will help Special Olympics Michigan to continue their services and renovation of the former South Christian High School.

“It’s going to be the world’s largest Special Olympics training facility, right here in Kent County,” said Fitzgerald. “We want to make sure that those athletes are getting exactly what they need to help cut down on health disparities, to help cut down on mental health challenges.”

And finally, $4 million will help Godfrey Lee schools with a much-needed roof renovation.

“That is real money that went to Lansing, or went to Washington, and is coming home now to enrich the lives of Wyoming residents. That’s exciting, and that doesn’t happen without your input coming to me,” said Fitzgerald.

Serving at home: “I want to hear from you.”

Rep. Fitzgerald spoke with community members during a recent Wyoming Senior Resource Fair (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Being attuned to his duties in Lansing is important, Fitzgerald said. But he believes connecting to his community is equally essential.

“My duty is to the people here at home,” said Fitzgerald.

Offering opportunities for communication is a top priority for Fitzgerald.

“I hope that any and all of you join me when we have office hours on the second and fourth Mondays at Wyoming City Hall, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. I’m there, I want to hear from you, it’s an open door,” said Fitzgerald in a direct message to the community. 

“Please come and engage, because you are what drives me. Your interests, your concerns, help to drive the work that we’ve discussed here today, and more.”

Recharging with family time

When asked what he does to recharge so he can continue his work in the legislature, Fitzgerald replied: “Right now, it is playing with my daughter.”

Fitzgerald went on to say that his perspective has changed since becoming a parent.

“Your priorities change, your mindset changes, you’re more empathetic, you’re more understanding of other people’s situations as well,” said Fitzgerald. “Really being with my daughter charges me up. Hearing her laugh now, and seeing her start to walk, that’s just incredible to me.

“So quite frankly, it’s quality family time that has really kind of helped to recharge me to go to those long days in Lansing, to make that commute day in and day out.”

A conduit and facilitator for residents

Fitzgerald urges residents to contact him with questions and concerns.

Rep. Fitzgerald wants to hear from residents (Courtesy, WKTV)

“I am your representative…a conduit for you to Lansing, and for the information in Lansing to come home to you. That’s what we do best, connecting people with local resources, state resources, or even federal resources, to make sure that your life is enriched and your government is providing you with what you need,” said Fitzgerald.

“We have a lot to be proud of, we have a lot to look forward to. I think that the future is very bright here in Michigan.”

Local author Chavonne Mateen reveals heart behind fantasy novel set to be released Dec. 19

WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed went behind the scenes with author Chavonne Mateen and her debut novel, Shaylah Marston and the Rogue Roots, on WKTV Soundbites (Courtesy, WKTV)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


(Courtesy Photo)

Local author Chavonne Mateen will be launching her debut fantasy novel, Shaylah Marston and the Rogue Roots, on Tuesday, Dec. 19.

Set in an urban magical realm, Mateen’s middle grade novel contains everything the author loves about the fantasy genre – and about life.

“I have always been a huge fan of fantasy fiction,” said Mateen, adding that the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling and the Children of Blood and Bone series by Tomi Adeyemi are among her favorite reads.

When not writing, Mateen fills her time as an HR Technologist for HRIS Streamline Consulting, is an Associate Integration Consultant for iCIMS, and is a self-professed serial entrepreneur.

Already living a life busy with the HR works she loves, this reporter couldn’t resist asking Mateen about the driving force behind her desire to pen a novel.

Living life to the fullest

“People go on journeys in life,” said Mateen. “One day I was writing down things I wanted to accomplish. Starting a business was one, finishing school was another, and writing a rap.

“The next one was to write a book. That’s how this was born.”

Mateen talked with WKTV Managing Editor Deborah Reed about what lies at the heart of her debut novel (Courtesy, WKTV)

Not only did Mateen decide to write a book, she decided to create something groundbreaking that was also relatable.

Mateen wanted to write what she deemed was missing in the fantasy genre – a series featuring a beautiful, strong and present family that sticks together.

“I decided that I wanted to write something that I could relate to,” said Mateen. “This is more in an urban setting, and it’s characters that I can relate to.”

Shaylah’s journey is one of self-discovery.

Suddenly inundated with nightly visions of her deceased grandfather, Shaylah begins asking her mother some hard questions. As long-kept family secrets are revealed, the young teen realizes that she also holds magical powers and abilities.

Mateen chats about Shaylah Marston merchandise and fan art (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

“When they begin telling her these secrets, that’s when the story begins to unfold and the magic occurs,” said Mateen.

The young heroine embarks on a mission with her family and friends, intent on saving a distant world and restoring her family’s name.

With a diverse cast of characters and a relatable and inspiring protagonist, Shaylah Marston and the Rogue Roots weaves powerful themes of friendship, courage and self-discovery throughout its pages.

Deemed “an exhilarating coming-of-age extravaganza” and “unapologetic fantasy fiction at its finest” by beta readers, Mateen’s novel will transport readers to a world brimming with adventure.

Interested readers can visit Mateen’s website to pre-order a copy of the novel, sign up for notifications regarding Shaylah Marston events and news, and purchase Shaylah Marston merchandise.

But Mateen isn’t stopping there.

Big screen goals

Bringing Shaylah Marston to the big screen as a Netflix series is a goal Mateen is already working to set in motion.

“That’s the ultimate goal, to bring it to the big screen, bring it to life, and bring the awareness to Grand Rapids that we do have offerings and more creatives in this space,” said Mateen.

Expanding worlds, chasing dreams

Mateen is currently working on the second Shaylah Marston novel (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

Mateen plans to expand Shaylah Marston’s world through writing, though she admits that the writing process is not always easy.

“I’ve experienced roadblocks, setbacks, tumbles and stumbles,” said Mateen.

But she doesn’t let that stop her, and she encourages others to push through those difficulties as well.

“Just continue to write,” said Mateen. “Pick up that pen. If you don’t have a pen, pick up your phone. Jot those ideas down. You can always revisit and expand on it, but you have to start somewhere and keep at it because it’s a work in progress.

“It’s not going to always be perfect. But continue pressing forward.”

To learn more about Shaylah Marston and the Rogue Roots, visit the Shaylah Marston website and Facebook page.