Foundation awards $164,000 to expand community mental health access

With demand for mental health services rising across Ottawa County, the Community Foundation of Holland/Zeeland is investing $164,000 in local nonprofits focused on improving access to care, especially for children, youth, and underserved families.

The grants target prevention, early intervention, and community-based solutions, reflecting a shift toward programs that address both clinical needs and the social barriers that keep people from getting help.

Local data highlights the urgency. The most recent Ottawa County Community Health Needs Assessment shows 34.5% of adults experience mild to severe psychological distress, nearly double the rate in 2020. Rates of depression among youth have also increased.

Yadah V. Ramirez, the foundation’s director of community impact, says the proposals demonstrate how deeply mental health affects every sector of the community.

“The organizations we fund are responding with practical, scalable solutions rooted in prevention and early support,” Ramirez says. “These partnerships help build a community where people can access care before they reach a crisis point.”

Here’s how the funds were distributed:

Latin Americans United for Progress Inc. (LAUP) 
Amount: $60,000 over two years 
Project: Bridging Mental Health, Building Equity: mental health integration with Community Health Worker initiative This grant supports a full-time licensed Master’s social worker, who will play an integral role in  LAUP’s new Bridging Mental Health, Building Equity initiative. The program addresses barriers to accessing mental health care for immigrant and low-income residents through a network of bilingual clinicians and community health workers. The licensed Master’s social worker will coordinate among six partner nonprofit organizations to reduce waitlists and fast-track mental health care.  

Maria Morales, senior director of workforce and strategic impact at LAUP: “This funding will help ensure families receive care rooted in dignity, trust, and cultural understanding, regardless of insurance status. Through standardized mental health screenings and warm hand-offs to on-site therapy and counseling, paired with targeted support for critical social determinants of health – housing stability, reliable transportation, and benefits navigation – we will transform lives, build resilience, and drive lasting health equity across our community.”  

Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) 
Amount: $44,000 over two years 
Project: Expanding access to trauma-informed counseling for children and families
This grant will help the Children’s Advocacy Center add 180 counseling sessions annually in response to a 25% increase in demand for services supporting child sexual abuse survivors.  The CAC currently provides over 200 therapy sessions monthly using evidence-based trauma treatment methods, but has reached capacity limits that create wait times for families needing care. The expansion will help ensure children receive timely specialized therapy through the center’s existing network of clinicians, advocates, and law enforcement partners. 

Rachael DeWitt, executive director: “When a child discloses sexual abuse, everything in their world changes. With this grant, children are able to receive skilled, compassionate care at the very moment they need it most, expanding our community’s capacity to help them feel safe and begin their healing journey. Its impact extends far beyond today – for the child, for their family, and for the long-term strength and well-being of our community.” 

Brave Space 
Amount: $30,000 
Project: Brave Space program 
This grant helps expand Brave Space, a nine-week program that uses creative writing and expressive arts to help local middle and high school students build coping skills and resilience. The program is designed to help youth who are struggling with emotional regulation,  identity, or belonging, and serves students directly through small cohorts, including a dedicated summer session for LGBTQ+ youth. It will also distribute guided journals to 1,000 additional students.  

Alexis Rosado, founder of Brave Space: “This support allows us to expand programming that meets students where they are, centering their voices and experiences, while offering a proactive and creative approach to mental health. Because of this funding, we can reach students who previously did not have access to these resources and create free brave spaces where young people feel heard, valued, and empowered to imagine healthier futures for themselves and their communities.” 

Resilience: Advocates for Ending Violence 
Amount: $30,000 
Project: Equine-assisted therapy program 
This grant supports an expansion in Resilience’s trauma therapy options for children who have witnessed domestic violence and their caregivers. Through a partnership with Renew  Therapeutic Riding Center, the program will serve about 100 families. It combines traditional trauma-focused therapy with guided horse interactions designed to build trust, emotional safety, and healing.  

Krystal Diel, director of survivor services: “We are excited to be able to offer equine-assisted services for children and their families. Children who have witnessed domestic violence will be able to work with horses to regulate their emotions and practice coping skills. We are  thrilled to be able to offer this avenue for healing.”