Our Story
From Donny Irving, founder of Community Kids:
Back in 2010, I purchased the most affordable house in Grand Rapids. An elderly man named Pete, who lived in the neighborhood, welcomed me and expressed his concern about the youth in the area. He said that someone should do something to help them out.
It was after this encounter that I prayed about getting involved in mentoring. However, even before that, three boys had trespassed into my backyard to play basketball. Rather than turning them away, I chose to build a relationship with them; this is how the ministry came to be.
In Matthew 19:14, Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me and do not stop them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them." Nine years ago, I started Community Kids to share and grow the ministry God has called me and many volunteers to do. We explain why and how we follow God's mission to serve the children and teenagers in Southeast Grand Rapids.
It's important to acknowledge and respond to the voices of children, who make up a substantial demographic with great potential. Empowering them can have a positive impact on their communities.
As believers, we treat our service as if we are serving Jesus. When we listen to children, we strive to understand what God may be communicating through them. If a child accidentally enters someone's backyard, we respond with compassion. If a child requests another Bible study, we gladly oblige. When elderly individuals and others express concern for the welfare of children in the area, we take action and seek guidance from the Holy Spirit.
Mission & Values
We exist to transform communities through kids by providing long-term, life-changing, worldview expanding relationships led by Christ.
Jesus
The followers of Christ act as representatives of Jesus to the children, and in turn, the children represent Jesus to us. As we serve the children, we do so with the same devotion as if we were serving Jesus himself. Our ultimate aim is to emulate the character of Jesus.
Family
At Community Kids, we strive to create a familial atmosphere. We want to ask you a question: If one of the children in our community were your own niece or nephew, what would you wish for them, and how can you support them?
Our board, staff, and volunteers are all considered part of the family. Whatever we do for our siblings, we should also be willing to do for those who serve alongside us in this ministry.
Since families are the primary influence on children, we place a high priority on partnering with parents. This often means meeting them where they are, whether that's in their neighborhood, homes, front porches, backyards, or community spaces.
Leadership
We believe that every individual, regardless of their background, possesses unique skills and abilities bestowed upon them by God. As such, we encourage individuals to work together and support one another in order to fulfill their divine calling.
The Need
When Donny first moved to the Southeast side of Grand Rapids, a former gang member in his neighborhood informed him that major street corners in the area usually have three establishments: a drug house, a liquor store, or a church. Unfortunately, the drug house and liquor store operate 24/7, while the church is only open for a few hours each week. Community Kids aims to change this by being a helpful presence in the community. We believe that the church is not just a physical structure but a group of people who are willing to help their neighbors in times of need, regardless of the time of day. Our focus is on kids since they represent a significant demographic with limitless potential.
Here are some important statistics to consider:
One-third of the world's population is under the age of 15.
Single-parent households have increased by 139% in the last 50 years.
The breakdown of families has far-reaching impacts, including violence, transience, poverty, addiction, and literacy, which can severely hinder the growth and development of children, adolescents, teens, and adults.
Only 3% of church resources are dedicated to children-focused ministries.
Two years ago, we conducted a map study of the kids in our neighborhood and discovered some interesting information:
Within a half-mile radius of our neighborhood, there are 1,500 children and youth between the ages of 10 and 19.
There are 17 local churches within the same half-mile radius.
Approximately 1,200 of those kids are not connected to a local church, meaning that only around 300 of the 1,500 children and youth are reached by these churches.
We came across an inspiring study that discovered the three main factors that helped children from impoverished backgrounds become leaders in their communities with Christ-like qualities. These factors include experiencing a life-changing event, such as attending a conference or camp, forming long-term mentoring relationships, and being given an opportunity to lead, even if they felt undeserving of it. These experiences transformed them into leaders who now help others find the right path.
Our Goal
Our goal is to show love to our neighbors on the Southeast side, no matter how unconventional it may seem. We understand that children's lives can be complicated, which is why we provide a variety of opportunities for them to connect with caring adult mentors. We are committed to supporting kids as they navigate life's diverse circumstances, one block, and one child at a time.