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1980'S - CONTINUED EXPANSION THROUGH CHANGING TIMES
Child Care hit hard by recession
1980-81 were recession years with very high unemployment and many federal budget cuts, which hurt local programs for the poor. UMCH lost all of its CETA staff. At the same time, people who needed child care for their children decreased due to unemployment. At the lowest time, only 30 children were in the child care center. It was very difficult for UMCH financially. The United Methodist Women and the United Methodist Church helped UMCH weather the recession times.
Curriculum during this time developed into a more child-directed than teacher-directed program. This enriched opportunities to develop intellectual, emotional, social and physical growth. Exposure to different cultures was also enhanced, with an emphasis on African American heritage, because the majority of the children were African American.
United Methodist Community House was very active as an advocate for child development issues and concerns. The agency collaborated actively with Kent County Coordinated Child Care (4C.) Also through 4C, Community House Child Care staff participated in many and varied trainings, thereby substantially enriching the quality of the staff and the service provided.
Youth program makes dramatic gains
In 1980, the Pink Panthers Lawn Service was formed to provide opportunities for youth to learn positive work habits and life skills. They also earned money for field trips and group activities. In some years, substantial trips were taken to such places as Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Many of the youth had never been out of the Grand Rapids area before. The lawn service became an important long term program.
The Leadership Program, a premier, long term youth program, began in 1983 through a grant from the United Methodist National Youth Ministry organization. Designed for older youth, the focus was on improving communication skills, self-image, problem solving and team building abilities. Youth attending regularly also got “mini jobs” which provided them a small stipend for volunteer work.
The youth education program began in 1985 with the hiring of a professional educator as its director. Norma Golden joined the staff for 11 years to create a program rich in reading, language arts, math, science, tutoring, caring and fun! This addition to youth offerings represented a significant emphasis important to UMCH purpose and philosophy. It was based on the conscious decision that Community House needed to support basic education skills if the agency truly cared about the future of the youth served.
Eastminister Presbyterian Church generously invited 45 Community House children to their Camp Scott E for five days, providing a wonderful opportunity for bonding and fun in a beautiful, natural setting. This kindness was repeated for several years.
In 1987, the Junior League and United Way provided funding for four Apple Computers to enhance the education center. These were the first computers in the agency used by program participants.
In 1985, the Board of Directors made the difficult decision to use all the remaining CETA workers in the youth program, reassigning all away from the neighborhood development program activities.
Neighborhood activities
From 1981 through 1984, workshops were conducted to train residents to make simple house repairs themselves. Fund were available on a matching basis.
During the same period, there was an “energy crisis.” UMCH held informational meetings about conserving energy.
UMCH wins humanitarian award
In 1987 , United Methodist Community House, in a partnership with three other agencies, won the United Way’s Humanitarian Award for the Collaborative Counseling Project.
Funding and expansion
The first annual campaign, Friends of United Methodist Community House, was launched in 1982 as the beginning of an ongoing effort. The first year, 140 friends donated $8,568.
Building overcrowding and expansion needs continued to be a problem. Several small parcels of land adjoining the building were purchased by the West Michigan Conference United Methodist Women for the future. As plans for a new building evolved, it was necessary to plan within the limited land available.
The Board of Directors approved a feasibility study for a major building renovation and expansion in 1988. In 1989, a $2.6 million capital campaign was approved.