Hero Story

She has taught Sunday school for children, directed and planned VBS, volunteered for the youth. Jennifer has impacted the lives of children growing up by spending time with them and teaching them in a loving manner. Jennifer has touched those she met down in Nicaragua – she remains in contact with a lot of the people she befriended down in Nicaragua. She has now started a nonprofit in order to impact her community in a positive, graceful and loving manner. They (the board) are fundraising now in order to pay for an office space.
Giving communion to shut ins was so admirable and the people who were receiving the communion were so very thankful.
She also gave of her time doing the 30-hour famine as a youth and as a youth leader. This is fasting for 30 hours straight. At the end there is a huge meal for those who were fasting. During these times volunteer service was done in order to get the participates mind off of being hungry.

Jennifer has inspired others to give of their time and talents by encouraging parents to attend the policy council meetings for CACS Headstart. She spreads the word about different organizations within the community (Lansing Area) that are able to offer help. She gives the names of organizations to her clients at her job as well, the Ingham County Health Department – in the WIC office.
Jennifer is able to spread the news and information and draw others in as she has with Policy Council.

My daughter Jennifer has been an avid volunteer within this community. I have seen her start giving her time freely when she accepted the nomination to become an ordained Deacon at Mount Hope Presbyterian Church. She also is an ordained Elder. She was even able to preach from the pulpit at that church and she always has done a wonderful job with public speaking.

-Served on the Board of Deacons for 5 years at Mount Hope Presbyterian Church (This church unfortunately closed in October of 2022) Church was a part of the Lake Michigan Presbytery. She started serving at the age of 14. She was also the Moderator of the Board of Deacons organizing the agenda, and leading the meetings.
-Served on the Board of Elders for 5 years at Mount Hope Presbyterian Church (This church unfortunately closed in October of 2022) Church was a part of the Lake Michigan Presbytery.
-Jennifer has taught Sunday school to grades K-5 for many years, 5 +. She has also volunteered in the Nursery for ages 0-5 years of age.
-Jennifer traveled to Nicaragua on mission trips on three separate occasions as a delegate representing Lake Michigan Presbytery. (Lake Michigan Presbytery and CEPAD in Nicaragua have a partnership) She traveled there in 2008, 2009, 2010.
-Each Time Jennifer was preparing to pay and travel for mission trips she organized a fundraiser and this included a performance from the Lansing Community College Jazz Ensemble under the direction of John Gewirtz. Jennifer was performing in the Ensemble as well. She was able to usually raise at least 2/3’s of funds needed of total cost.
-Jennifer was the director and planned Vacation Bible School a total of 3 times while attending Mount Hope Presbyterian Church
a. A local Baptist church and Methodist church would partner with Mount Hope Presbyterian Church in order to fulfil all obligations of vacation bible school
-Jennifer participated in the 30 Hour famine as a youth and as a youth leader at Mount Hope Presbyterian Church. This is where participants fast for 30 hours in order to raise awareness about hunger, and raise funds to help provide support. Jennifer earned a special award when she was a youth from her high school volleyball coach when he found out she was fasting to raise money.
-Jennifer served five years as an active member of policy council at CACS Headstart. Jennifer not only served as a member of policy council, she was the chairperson of the policy council. (2018 – 2023)
-Jennifer was also an active board member of the CACS Board of Directors for five years serving as the Headstart Representative. Jennifer is now serving as an alternate for one of the board members of CACS at this time. (2018-2023) Currently an alternate
-She participates in the bylaws committee still to this day for CACS.
-Currently Jennifer is serving on the Board of Directors for the MHSA (Michigan Head Start Association) as a parent representative. She currently is serving her third year on this board and is able to serve two more years in this capacity.
-Jennifer has participated in Legislation Day representing Capitol Area Community Services last year (2023).
-Jennifer is a representative on the Equity Advisory Committee through MSHDA and has attended all meetings and expresses her concerns about safe housing. Her middle son unfortunately was poisoned by the lead in their home when he was only age one. She advocated for the safety of other children in the State as well who are at risk of lead exposure and lead poisoning.
-On March 20th of this year (2024) Jennifer will be at “Early Childhood Capitol Day” advocating for early childhood. Her youngest child is 4 and attends the local Headstart in her area (Lansing)
-Jennifer recently registered/founded the nonprofit entitled “Giving Grace Hope and Healing Ministries” also known as (2GH) This 501(c)3 was made official in October of 2023. This is a fairly new nonprofit and her and the board meeting monthly planning their next steps on how to best support their communities.
-Jennifer recently has started helping the Greater Lansing Food Bank by delivery weekend food kits to schools within the Greater Lansing Area.
-Jennifer is scheduled for her orientation to become a driver for the Davies project – scheduled to happen on April 11th , 2024.
Jennifer recently finished her background check, DHHS clearance and orientation to be able to volunteer at her sons school; Grand River Headstart. Her 4-year-old attends here. Jennifer’s three other children attended this school as well.