Kent County health services expand with $200,000 grant to Health Net of West Michigan
GRAND RAPIDS, MI — A nonprofit focused on helping Kent County residents connect with healthcare, housing and social services has opened an office at a community hub in Grand Rapids’ Boston Square neighborhood.
Health Net of West Michigan opened its new space in October at HUB 07, 1534 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, with the assistance of a $200,000 grant from Michigan Health Endowment Fund.
“Health Net of West Michigan has shown a deep commitment to meeting neighbors where they are and addressing the real-life factors that impact health,” said Jenny Luth, director of partnerships and outreach at Amplify GR, the nonprofit community development group that opened HUB 07. “Their decision to expand services to HUB 07 demonstrates the power of a place-based approach—bringing trusted resources directly into the community.”
Founded in 2014, Health Net’s aim is to help ensure that Kent County residents receive the care and resources they need to live a healthy life. The organization seeks to do so by helping residents navigate health and social service systems and apply for government assistance.
Health Net’s areas of focus include health care, early childhood care, housing, behavioral health and food and utility services.
In addition to HUB 07, Health Net has workers embedded at three other locations in the region: the AYA Youth Collective in Grand Rapids, a Grand Valley State University clinic in Allendale and a Catherine’s Health Center clinic in Gaines Township.
With the Boston Square office open, Health Net is moving out of its former office at 1550 Leonard St. NE in Grand Rapids by Jan. 31, said Sarah Wilson, a spokesperson for Health Net.
Health Net joins other educational, health and youth development organizations based at HUB 07, which opened last year and includes a Corewell Health community clinic.
Jenn Harrod, vice president of client Services at Health Net, said her organization’s new office is designed to complement the other services offered at HUB 07.
“For example, when an individual visits their physician at the clinic downstairs and identifies a need such as food assistance or enrollment in public benefits, our team can provide that support on-site,” she said. “This integrated approach eliminates the need for referrals elsewhere in the community and ensures timely access to essential resources.”
Veronica Marchese, program officer at the Michigan Health Endowment Fund, a philanthropic group based in Brighton, said she’s hopeful Health Net’s services will help improve health outcomes for Boston Square residents.
“By providing integrated navigation support for the wide range of factors that affect a person’s health — and doing it through a unique place-based approach — Health Net and its partners are poised to make a critical impact on the health of the Boston Square community,” she said.