Letter from the Co Executive Director
Being able to see what isn't yet there is an essential characteristic of LINC and I would like to take you through the next lines to share with you what it is I see on our horizon.
I'm sure it comes as no surprise to any of you when I say that our neighborhoods have been negatively impacted by foreclosure and rising unemployment. And it is a sad reality that within the City of Grand Rapids over 10,000 people have been displaced by foreclosure. Throughout Grand Rapids, it is too easy to find blocks where over 20% of homes have been foreclosed upon in the last couple of years. And although I am saddened to think of the hopelessness and loss these displaced families have faced, I am very proud to say LINC is leading the response to addressing the problems created by foreclosure. LINC will be aggressively working to bring a sense of hope and pride to families and neighborhoods by converting abandoned housing into energy efficient owner occupied homes. As the non-profit organization with the most experience renovating houses in the city of Grand Rapids, LINC finds its self in the exciting position of being able to help more families move into home ownership in the next 12 months than it has in its previous seven years combined. LINC will use its rehab experience and housing counselors to place new homeowners in foreclosed property and help families facing foreclosure stay in their homes.
The impact of foreclosures is not limited to the families it displaces but has a destructive ripple effect throughout the social fabric of a neighborhood. LINC is responding to this by launching a new leadership training series and expending outreach efforts. Over the past year LINC has helped bring over 400 residents together around projects that improve the neighborhood. Through collaborative efforts and intentionally reaching out to residents, LINC expects to connect with over 500 people living in the neighborhoods we serve.
In addition to addressing foreclosures, Lighthouse is increasing its efforts to combat unemployment by expanding its job creation programming through economic development programs. In the past year LINC's economic development department successfully created over 20 jobs, and we expect to create over 65 more full time jobs in Southtown alone next year. Part of the reason for the increased impact in job creation is the planned opening of a Business Incubator at LINC's Development Center.
In the past year, LINC has secured over $1,000,000 to help launch the LINC's Development Center. The project will take a blighted structure that has been foreclosed on twice in the past five years and convert it into a "one-stop shop" for community development. The project will host new offices for LINC as well as meeting space needed to hold community events and expand housing counseling activities. The first floor of the building will be a retail incubator that will provide space and services in a manner that reduces the capital entrepreneurs need to launch a new business and ensures that business practices are established that will lead to sustained growth. The Development Center will serve as a community hub, create jobs and equip people to purchase and maintain their homes. Although we continue to seek funding for the project, we are confident that, with help from people such as yourselves, we will be able to open the doors this year.
Transforming blighted structures into catalysts for community improvement, creating jobs, connecting residents...continuing to address the issues our neighborhoods are facing - this is what LINC is about. And I know it is what many of you care about as well, that's why we're in this field. I welcome you to our new website and hope it is a useful tool to learn about LINC, the neighborhoods we serve, the results of our work, and resources available to you through us and our partners. I am excited for the work ahead of us to serve Grand Rapids and other areas in Kent County in the years to come and also want to thank you in advance for supporting us so we can accomplish these goals.
Jeremy DeRoo
Co Executive Director
