Announcements from CoC Staff
JOIN US THIS THURSDAY FOR OUR REBRAND CELEBRATION
Join us at our General Membership meeting this Thursday, October 15 from 9:30 – 11 AM at Heart of West Michigan United Way. This meeting marks an exciting milestone as we officially unveil the CoC’s new website as part of our rebrand.
Be among the first to explore the new website through a guided walkthrough and see how this refreshed resource will better connect, inform, and support you and your organization.
To celebrate the completion of this project, we’ll also have some special KHC-branded swag items available for attendees.
We hope you’ll join us in celebrating this new chapter of the CoC!
Sincerely,
CoC Staff
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A WARMING CENTER?
As the weather keeps getting cooler, our team is compiling a list of Warming Centers for the upcoming Winter Season 2026-27. If you are interested in becoming a warming center, please email the following information to Maddie Martin at mmartin@hwmuw.org:
- Organization Name
- Location
- Contact Information
- Days and Hours Open
- Services Offered
If you served as a Warming Center last year, we will reach out shortly to confirm whether you plan to participate again this year and, if so, update your information.
Community Resources
OCTOBER COMMUNITY RESOURCE CALENDAR
This collated monthly calendar for October highlights community resources available throughout the region. This resource is designed to help agencies and clients quickly identify where services will be available each day.
COORDINATED ENTRY OVERVIEW DOCUMENT
Intended for community partners who may have clients that need help navigating/entering the system, this one-pager gives a brief overview of what Coordinated Entry is and how to help people get connected to Coordinated Entry. It also includes a simple script for directing participants toward help.
Upcoming CoC Committee Meetings
GENERAL MEMBERSHIP – REBRAND CELEBRATION
Thursday, October 15 | 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
In Person – Heart of West Michigan United Way
STEERING COUNCIL
Friday, October 16 | 8:30 – 10:30 a.m.
In Person – Heart of West Michigan United Way
OUTREACH WORKGROUP
Tuesday, October 27 | 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
In Person – Location TBD
YOUTH SOLUTIONS COUNCIL
Thursday, November 12 | 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
In Person – Heart of West Michigan United Way
Upcoming Community Events
WEST MICHIGAN NONPROFIT TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION SUMMIT
October 13 at 8 AM – 1:30 PM at The Pinnacle Center, Hudsonville
Hosted in partnership with the Allegan County Community Foundation, Heart of West Michigan United Way, the Lakeshore Nonprofit Alliance, and Symplicity Communications, this event will provide practical education, peer collaboration, and direct access to trusted technology experts. Through keynote presentations, breakout sessions, and a technology solutions expo, attendees will explore emerging trends and practical solutions in AI, cybersecurity, technology governance, and digital transformation.
IN THEIR SHOES WEST MICHIGAN: AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING EVENT
October 14 at 2 Sheldon Ave. SE; Frey Room
As part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, YWCA is hosting an event inspired by the nationally recognized In Her Shoes® program from the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence. This initiative takes a unique approach to domestic violence education: instead of traditional training or presentations, this campaign focuses entirely on experiential learning. This experiential learning opportunity is designed to bring awareness to the realities of domestic violence, help participants better understand the challenges survivors may face, and highlight the importance of community support and resources.
WEST MICHIGAN MEDICAID TASK FORCE – COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP BRIEFING
October 22 at 8 – 9:30 AM at 1534 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
The West Michigan Medicaid Task Force invites you to an upcoming opportunity to share changes to Medicaid eligibility, renewals, work requirements, and coverage that may affect individuals and families across West Michigan.
Upcoming State & Federal Events
CREATING CALM – EFFECTIVE ENGAGEMENT WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE DISTRESSED
October 20th at 2-3:30 PM on Zoom
This webinar training provides attendees’ concrete tools for engaging with clients in distress. Learning objectives include developing greater empathy, gaining insight into your own reactions to distressed people, gaining tools for responding to distress, and clarifying risk/safety boundaries.
WEBINAR: UNPACKING THE SHORTAGE REPORT – WHAT FEDERAL DATA REVEALS ABOUT GAPS IN RESOURCES TO END HOMELESSNESS
October 22th at 12 PM on Zoom
The National Alliance to End Homelessness’ new findings in The Shortage Report demonstrate that homeless service providers do not receive enough funding to rehouse everyone in need. Despite a proven track record of helping people find and stay in affordable housing, persistent resource shortages make it impossible for them to serve everyone experiencing homelessness. Learn more about this report’s key findings and steps you can take to urge your elected leaders to address these shortages.
WEBINAR: HOW TRAUMA AFFECTS THE BODY
November 12 from 1-2:30 PM on Zoom
This webinar equips service providers with an evidence-informed understanding of how trauma and chronic stress show up in the body. This webinar is for anyone who works with persons who have experienced trauma. Attendees will learn the effects of trauma/stress on mahor body systems, explain the relationship between trauma exposure and long-term physical and mental health outcomes, and understand how to provide trauma-informed client service delivery and relational case management.
COLD WEATHER RESPONSE: SUPPORTING PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN MICHIGAN
November 19 from 1-2:30 PM on Zoom
Michigan winters create serious and sometimes life-threatening challenges for people experiencing homelessness, making effective cold-weather response an essential skill for frontline providers. This webinar will provide practical strategies for supporting individuals living outdoors, in vehicles, or other places not meant for habitation during extreme winter conditions. Participants will leave with practical tools for assessing risk, responding appropriately, and providing person-centered support that prioritizes both immediate safety and longer-term connections to housing.
HOUSING JUSTICE NETWORK CONFERENCE
November 9-11 in Atlanta, Georgia
Join 500+ legal aid attorneys, organizers, and advocates at this year’s Housing Justice Network Conference to build the collective power that is needed to protect tenants and homeowners, save our homes, and make the housing system work for all of us. The conference focuses on topics of building the capacity of the housing justice movement by training on hot topics and sharing legal, advocacy, and organizing strategies that keep people housed.
NLIHC’s 2027 HOUSING POLICY FORUM
March 2-5 in Washington DC
In March, the National Low Income Housing Coalition will convene community leaders, policy experts, researchers, tenant advocates, affordable housing practitioners, and members of Congress for thought and action partnership on ending the housing crisis impacting lowest-income and most marginalized renters in America.
CSH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING SUMMIT
April 6-8 in Denver, Colorado
In April, the Corporation for Supportive Housing is hosting a housing summit with the theme: Ready for What’s Next: Innovation, Resilience, and the Future of Housing Stability. Through expert‑led sessions, immersive site visits, and cross‑sector collaboration, the Summit accelerates innovation, elevates proven practices, and strengthens the future of supportive housing nationwide.
State & Federal Resources
NAEH ADVOCACY TOOLKIT
Strengthen your advocacy efforts with this FY2027 appropriations guide. The toolkit includes background on key federal homelessness programs, updates on current policy and funding challenges, and resources to help you make a compelling case using local data and lived experience stories.
MCAH LEGISLATIVE TRACKER TOOL
Find current advocacy opportunities and email templates, look up your legislators, view current bills, and see how your legislators have voted on recent legislation.