Meet Justice and Ben – A Client Story 

At Health Net of West Michigan, we treat every client like a neighbor: with respect, understanding, and compassion. We see our clients as part of our community and work alongside them to support their goals.  

Justice and Ben’s story is a powerful example of how collaboration, made possible through the Community Health Navigator Network and place-based partnerships, can make a meaningful difference for families. 

A Partnership in Action 

At A Glimpse of Africa, staff work closely with clients to complete universal screenings that help identify areas where individuals and families may need support. As a trusted resource organization for refugees, immigrants, migrants, and new Americans in Kent County, their team plays a critical role in connecting community members to services. 

Through this process, a resource navigator named Daniel began working with Ben and his young daughter, Justice. During the screening, Ben shared that he could use additional support with transportation, early childhood resources, dental care, and Medicaid redetermination.  

Health Net is located just down the hall at HUB 07, so collaboration between Daniel and our team was immediate and seamless. Our resource navigator, Yvonnda, partnered with Daniel to meet Ben where he was, starting with a home visit to better understand his priorities and goals.  

Supporting a Father’s Goals 

During the home visit, Ben shared that his top priority was supporting Justice’s learning and development. He wanted to make sure she had the tools she needed to grow alongside her peers, but he wasn’t sure where to start.  

Together, Yvonnda and Ben explored available resources, including completing a supplemental screening through the Kent County Parent Support system. After reviewing several options, Ben chose to enroll in Little Scholars, a program offered by Vibrant Futures, which aligned with his goals for Justice’s learning.  

Yvonnda submitted the referral and scheduled a follow-up with Ben to check on his progress. 

Small Steps, Meaningful Progress 

Two weeks later, Ben shared that he had connected with Coach Marcia from Vibrant Futures and had already begun participating in classes. While he was still waiting to hear whether Justice qualified for additional educational materials, Yvonnda offered to follow up on his behalf. 

When Yvonnda connected with Coach Marcia, she learned that Ben had already completed two classes and was scheduled for a third, meaning Justice qualified for books and additional learning resources. 

With continued support from both Yvonnda and Daniel, Ben remained engaged and continued to advocate for his daughter’s needs. He expressed both pride in the progress he had made and appreciation for the support he received along the way. Justice, in turn, was excited to explore her new books and learning materials alongside her dad.  

Seeing the Bigger Picture 

Justice and Ben’s story highlights the power of collaboration and place-based partnerships. By working together, organizations can meet families where they are, respond to their priorities, and provide coordinated support that leads to meaningful outcomes. 

Stories like this remind us that even small steps, when supported by strong partnerships, can lead to lasting impact. By working together and centering the goals of the families we serve, we can help create more opportunities for children like Justice to learn, grow, and thrive.