What Is The Hub?

The Hub (Helping, Uniting, Bridging) is a 3-fold program with the initiative to reduce barriers that families face when seeking support in times of need. We are a guiding hand for families in need to help receive assistance in resource connections and referrals in the community. 

Our goal is to direct families to services that meet their needs. Sometimes the missing piece is a phone call from one organization to another, showing that the family is taking the steps necessary to help themselves. 

Building relationships and following up is an important focus of the HUB. We encourage and support families through the process of receiving help; building trust is vital to be able to identify and address the underlying needs of the family.

The HUB serves as a connector for the entire community.

  • Connecting agencies to agencies
  • Connecting agencies with churches
  • Connecting families with churches and agencies
  • Connecting churches with potential ministry opportunities as needs are identified.
  • Connecting families with opportunities
  • Connecting the entire community to create a transformational program that meets the short and long term needs of the families.

The HUB is a place for families to receive guidance in making a better home for themselves and their children. To show that individuals who seek help are taking the necessary steps towards a better future, we enroll participants in a Journey Plan.

A Journey Plan proves that those who need help are looking for more than just free handouts. These participants want to work alongside Angels of Action to make a better life for themselves. This can include signing food stability by signing up for our Rock the Crock program, financial stability from our one-on-one personal finance lesson, and more. Each Journey Plan is unique to the family completing it. During the Journey Plan, our HUB Director, Laurie, is there to follow up to make sure participants are navigating the path to a brighter future.

A successful demonstration of how the HUB can help families in need was shown this past month

A single mother in the Big Rapids area was couch surfing between her local friends during the summer months while her young children were away. For the sake of this story, we will call this mother Jane. 

The lack of a consistent roof over your head or a place to call home is tough at any age, this was no different for Jane. Jane has two young boys; both of which were with their father over summer break. As the 2022-2023 school year approached, she knew this was not a situation she was willing to allow her children endure. 

Jane searched relentlessly for affordable housing within her childrens school district and turned up empty handed time and time again. Feeling defeated, she made her way to Angels of Action. Not entirely knowing what Angels of Action was, but hoping we could help, Jane sat down with Laurie.

Upon hearing Jane’s story, and how hard she has worked to save money for an apartment, yet still not coming up with enough, Laurie dove into action.

 

It was clear after talking with Jane that she wanted more for her family, this is what makes a

 Journey Plan successful. 

The first step in Jane’s Journey Plan was to secure housing for her family. Jane reviewed the apartments available and found the most ideal choice for her situation. After cutting out all unnecessary expenses, she still could not afford the security deposit that must be paid in full when signing the lease. With the trusted relationship Angels of Action maintains in the community with outside organizations, Laurie was able to bridge the gap between the Big Rapids Housing Commission and Jane’s family. 

Because Jane associated herself with Angels of Action, and has proven her intent to succeed for the sake of her family, she went from couch hoping to having her own apartment! Due to the call Laurie made to the housing commission, they approved a payment plan for the shortage of funds, allowing Jane to sign the lease. This allowed Jane to move into an apartment with her children, and have a stable home environment while the children attend school.