UCOM

United Church Outreach Ministry values individuals and builds community in southwestern Kent County by providing material and educational assistance to meet basic needs, improve quality of life, and promote self-sufficiency.

UCOM is the ACCESS key resource center forSouthwest Kent County serving Grandville, most of Wyoming,and a portion ofsouthwest Grand Rapids.UCOM operates one of the largest pantries in the city.In 2018 UCOM provided over 26,000 food services to more than 9000 individuals, contributing enough groceries to our neighbors for over a quarter ofa million meals.

In partnership with The Heart of West Michigan United Way UCOM is thrilled to be able to offer local Michigan produce, eggs, honey, and dried beans to our neighbors and others in the community.

UCOM's Farm Stand purchases local products from Michigan farmers like Peach Ridge Farms, Crisp Country Acres, Heidi's Farmstand, and others. UCOM makes purchases using United Way grant funding and sells* our produce for half the purchase cost to ensure that our low income and ALICE (asset limited income constrained employed) families can have a ready source of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Our Growing Green Neighbors initiative is intended to help members of our community become more self-sustaining. Gardeners are given a 4x4 raised garden box along with soil and seeds. The boxes are sectioned into 16 one foot squares and program participants choose 16 crops, including up to four trellised plants, to grow in their gardens. Clients are able to select from plants that grow well in these types of garden boxes. We also have a large space in the local community garden to help promote growing our own food, as well as on-site greenhouses tended by volunteers.

Four times a year UCOM offers a comprehensive, ten hour (4 or 5 week) course in basic financial management. The course is offered in either English or Spanish. Topics include building a healthy relationship with money, budgeting, eliminating debt, credit, banking and finding community resources. The classes typically meet one evening per week and attendees who complete the course receive a certificate of completion.

Part of the reciprocal partnership that UCOM enjoys in our community is the great work provided by volunteers who work side by side with people from various job skills training programs. Benefits our clients/volunteers receive from this program are

• Job interview training (including feedback on the impression they made in their UCOM interview)
• Soft skills training (i.e. communications)
• Building self-confidence and a ready-for-work attitude
• Conflict resolution training and experience
• Safety best-practices training and experience
• Cross-training in specific skilled tasks
• Training and experience in interacting with co-workers
• Understanding the rewards of initiative
• Understanding boundaries and supervision
• Evaluation and recommendations as requested by potential employers and authorities