Being homeless during the COVID-19 crisis
My plan to move in with a friend seemed to be coming together. Then came Gov. Whitmer’s “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. It made finding a place for me and my dogs to stay until the move nearly impossible.
Holland
Located on the shores of little Lake Macatawa, just off the coast of expansive Lake Michigan, Holland is the epicenter of West Michigan’s Dutch history and culture. Not surprisingly, then, the city is perhaps best known for its annual Tulip Time Festival in May. But there’s much more to the Tulip City than, well, tulips. The city’s downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts as much retail activity as any urban core in the region. The community is flush with wildly popular waterfront beaches like Tunnel Park and Holland State Park. And Hope College lends the clean, conservative town a bit of youthful spirit.
Essential businesses offer pay, protection to meet COVID-19 demand
In many cases, employers are offering temporary pay bonuses through April and investing in safety precautions to protect employees from exposure to the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.
COVID-19 etiquette for park visits
Visitors to Ottawa County parks are being asked to observe some additional protocols during the COVID-19 crisis.
How to practice safe distancing while enjoying Ottawa County Parks
The Ottawa County parks system is open to visitors wanting to maintain their physical stamina and emotional well-being during the COVID-19 crisis. Here are some ways to enjoy the county's 28 parks while maintaining safe social distancing.
Emergency housing programs ‘saved my family,’ mom says
Katrina Karlsons feels fortunate that her family is able to follow Gov. Whitmer's “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. After a January eviction, two nonprofits helped the family move out of homelessness.
Q&A: How Michigan Works is helping job seekers during COVID-19 crisis
Brittany Lenertz, the talent solutions director with West Michigan Works!, answers questions about how to find employment as Gov. Whitmer's Stay Home, Stay Safe order has resulted in the temporary closure of many businesses.
Emergency grants help nonprofits get more food, services to those in need
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, nearly $120,000 in emergency grants were given to Ottawa County nonprofits in the last week to provide more food and services to those in need.
Community Kitchen mission continues with boxed meal pickup
The COVID-19 crisis has forced The Community Kitchen to switch to boxed meals, but it hasn’t shut down the operation that feeds hundreds of people.
Lakeshore nonprofits make it safe and easy to help from home
If you can pack a box, you can help. Community Action House’s #StayHomeFightHunger campaign is asking people to help those in need by donating a box of food.
United Way offers opportunities to help during coronavirus crisis
Do you need help or want to help? The Greater Ottawa County United Way has partnered with other nonprofits to launch a website to answer your questions.
