About us... other people matter
Our community is full of people who are hurting. Some have lost their job and are struggling to find employment. Others have needed home repairs they can't afford. Families are facing a cold Michigan winter without heat. Single moms struggle to make ends meet. The stories go on and on...
But the one thing these people have in common... they all live in our neighborhoods.
That's right. In every neighborhood in West Michigan there are people who are hurting and in need. People, who live next door to you, who are struggling to put food on the table or trying to find out how they are going to pay their bills. Do you know these needs exist? If so, what are doing to take care of these needs?
Other people matter is passionate about seeing every need in West Michigan taken care of by neighbors - people who live next to those who are in need. What would it look like? Well, it begins with you and I being relational in our own neighborhoods. That's right, we must talk with people. Understand the neighborhood we live in. Get to know people - their struggles, their joys, their hobbies, their family. From there we are able to identify their needs and where they are struggling. And then the fun begins... we, with our neighbors, begin thinking of creating ways to meet those needs. From there, those needs are shared on this website, and neighborhoods are partnered together with business or other people that have the resources to meet those needs. From there, it's work time. Yes, that's right. You get your hands and feet dirty and get to work. But that's not where it stops. We also want this to be a place where stories are shared so that others can get inspired to do the same thing in their own neighborhood.
However, once your neighbor's need is met, your relationship doesn't end there. Our desire is to see those relationships grow and conversations to take place about family, jobs, life and Jesus. But it all begins with showing your neighbors that "other people matter."
So, get started. It's easy. Take a walk through your neighborhood and start chatting with your neighbors. We know you can do that.
Simply put, our goal...
- Challenge people to be relational in their neighborhoods and identify those who are struggling and what their needs might be.
- Challenge neighborhoods to think of creative ways to take care of their neighbors needs.
- Resource neighborhoods by partnering them with local businesses to meet those needs.
- Provide an avenue in which one neighborhood's story can be shared so that it inspires other neighborhoods.