The SOURCE

Leveraging Resources, Creating Opportunities, Keeping Promises

News

Announcements

06/04/2008 - SOURCE Seeks Bikes and Accessories for Bike Program

Many of the employees that we serve struggle with barriers to reliable transportation to and/or from work. Some employees struggle with transportation because they live outside the bounds of the public transportation system, while others cannot take public transportation due to work schedules that don't align with the bus schedules. Our Case Managers at The SOURCE have had to get creative to find a solution to these issues, and what has resulted is an effort to develop and maintain a bike program. The goal of the program is to loan a bike to the employee to meet immediate transportation needs while our Case Managers work with the employee to find a better long-term solution.

We have been lucky enough to receive some bicycle donations from generous members of the community, which have worked quite well for several of our employees. However, we are in need of additional donations to help us meet the transportation needs of additional employees. The SOURCE is looking for donations of the following goods and services:

If you have items to donate or would like to donate your time to the program, please contact Rachel Kunnath at (616) 452-5295 or email rachel@grsource.org.

05/01/2008 - The SOURCE ends its 5th straight year of serving as a Volunteer Income Tax Preparation Site

For the 5th straight year, The SOURCE has provided free income tax preparation to employees, their families, and the community. This year The SOURCE provided 15 certified volunteers, 4 interpreters, and 2 coordinators who prepared returns for almost 400 individuals and families. Our volunteers are specially trained to access all the credits a tax filer deserves. Likewise, tax returns were filed electronically so that refunds were received quickly.
We also helped our clients save a total over $5000 in tax preparation fees they had paid last year. This service is a great way to save money during this time of year! For those of you that had your taxes prepared at The SOURCE, we are happy you came and we hope you had a positive experience. For those of you that did not use this service, do consider using The SOURCE's volunteers next year rather than spending your hard-earned money on a for-profit service that may not take the time to help you claim all credits and refunds for which you qualify.

Refund amounts for 2008:
387 returns
$4,637 for City refunds
$120,548 for State refunds
$554,769 in Federal refunds
$231,016 Earned Income Tax Credit
$710,190 in total refunds given back to the community!

05/01/2008 - The SOURCE's 5-Year Anniversary/Open House Highlights Growth and Success

The SOURCE celebrated its 5-year anniversary with an Open House on Wednesday, April 23, 2008, exactly 5 years to the date we held our first open house to introduce the community to the services of the organization. In the last 5 years, our organization has grown from 2 employees to 9 full and part-time employees and moved from serving 8 employers with 1,900 employees to serving 16 employers with over 4000 employees. Likewise, the creation of the wellness program currently serves 1,300 individuals with a high-touch preventive program aimed at a proper balance of weight and nutrition, healthy blood pressure, exercise, and smoking cessation. Our VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) site has assisted over 1280 individuals and families with filing their tax returns for free. Those individuals and families have claimed over 2.3 million in total refunds during this time. But, most importantly, the open house highlighted those organizations, both public and private, that contribute to the tremendous supportive structure in this community. These organizations make up the support network that our caseworkers utilize to resolve barriers to employment and access opportunities for asset building, education, and advancement opportunities for employees of SOURCE member companies.
Over 100 partners passed through our doors on April 23 and we thank each of them for their support and look forward to further growth and impact in the coming years.

Newsletters

09/04/2008
This newsletter features the generous donation from EmploymentGroup, Softball Tournament, Upcoming Events, Catching on to Computers classes, meet the new Administrative Assistant, and The Healthy Corner: Is it a Stroke?
08/06/2008
This newsletter features the upcoming blood drive at The Decc Co., Grand Rapids Farmers Markets, fall registration for adult education, and a volunteer opportunity to help In The Image with the S.H.O.E.S. event.
07/01/2008
The SOURCE welcomes Imperial CRS to our NW group. Also, details on our new Bike Program, this year's Relay for Life and instructions and guidelines for Habitat for Humanity applications. Additionally, The Healthy Corner offers an article on Omega-3 Fatty Acids.
06/02/2008
Results and details on The SOURCE's Financial Literacy course. Also, a report on the Wellness Program's first Commit to be Fit Sports Challenge. Additionally, articles on upcoming Spanish Classes, donations to In The Image, Stimulus Management ideas, Summer Meals and The Healthy Corner featuring an article on Growing Older and Eating Better.
05/01/2008
The SOURCE's Tax Preparation results for this year and details on our 5-Year Anniversary/Open House we celebrated last month. Also, articles on Blood Drives and Voter's Registration. This month's The Healthy Corner talks about Spring Cleaning and Your Health.
04/01/2008
Announcing The SOURCE's 5-Year Anniversary/Open House! Also, an article on Upcoming Events, our Catching on to Computer class schedule, and The Healthy Corner: The Top 10 Nutrition Facts, Straight from the Experts at the American Dietetics Association.
03/03/2008
Free Tax Preparation's up-to-date report. Also, an article on the Financial Literacy classes, some of Camp Tall Turf's summer schedules, Upcoming Catching on to Computer classes, and The Healthy Corner: Preventing Diabetes - It Is Our Choice.
02/05/2008
The SOURCE receives new equipment for our Computer Lab, Free Income Tax Preparations still being offered, Spanish classes scheduled at The SOURCE, Don't Let Foreclosure Happen to You, Blood Drives, Bicycle helmet donations and The Healthy Corner: Exercise - The Perfect Pill?
01/02/2008
Free Tax Preparation at The SOURCE, What is The EITC?, Upcoming Spanish classes, and The Healthy Corner: Are You Ready for the New Year?
12/03/2007
SOURCE To Offer FREE Tax Prep For 4th Year, a reminder on the Catching on to Computers classes, Hats and Scarves at The SOURCE, Meet the Staff: Lindsay McHolme and an article on Health Tips for Families from Dr. Tom Peterson in The Healthy Corner.
11/01/2007
A Free Thanksgiving and Holiday Baskets, a Note from The SOURCE, announcements regarding our Catching on to Computers class, a testimonial on the Wellness Program, this months Meet the Staff section with Joyce Gutierrez-Marsh and an article on Cancer Prevention from Dr. Tom Peterson in The Healthy Corner.
10/01/2007
"Companies Pay Cash for Healthy Lifestyles" by Matt Vande Bunte of The Grand Rapids Press
10/01/2007
NEWSLETTER: Time to Sign Up for Holiday Baskets & Toys; ESL Classes offered to Employees of Member Companies; The Wellness Program Turns 1!; Donation Opportunities; The Healthy Corner: Childhood Obesity, and more!
09/06/2007
The SOURCE accepting bicycle donations, Youth Leadership Opportunities, keeping safety first while riding or walking to school, many upcoming events, and in The Healthy Corner: Identifying a Stroke.
08/10/2007
Your Guide to Lead - Safe Renting
08/08/2007
The SOURCE Wellness Program presentations offered at various companies, fresh details on next seasons Spanish class, energy saving ideas, events in the area, nutrition label info (part 2) in The Healthy Corner, Meet the Staff: April Faasen and more!
05/22/2007
"Northwest Side signs on to The Source" - by Kameel Stanley of The Grand Rapids Press
02/26/2007
"Solving Problems at Their Source", by Kristina Riggle of the Grand Rapids Press
09/19/2005
The Governor Returns to The SOURCE, Spanish Classes at The SOURCE, "Dollar Sense" Can Help You $ave, Classes For You And Your Family, Youth All-Nighters At The Y.
03/23/2005
Governor Granholm Visits the SOURCE, You Can Afford to Buy a House, Frequently asked Questions about IDAs, Parenting Awareness Month