Family Activities:

• Attention Teens! The Georgetown library has a new teen program on Mondays from 3:30-5:00. It starts October 11th. Teens ages 13-17 are invited to spend their after school time at the library. Each week they will have board games, video games, craft supplies, snacks, and more available to teens to enjoy. They will also have special craft days, movie days, and even pizza days. This is a drop-in program so no registration is required and teens may arrive/leave anytime during the program.  See the flyer for more information.
• For ages 5-10, KDL LAB Experience: TheKDL LAB Experience promotes creativity, problem solving skills and unstructured exploration ‭time for school-age children and teens. Carefully selected learning tools and activities are ‭designed to help students increase their proficiency in ‭STEAM disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. Get your questions answers and register at the  KDL website.
• *Once Upon A Dream* Princess Skate! Saturday Jan 22nd 1:30pm– 4:30pm, Terry Hall Skating Rink.  See more information at GRkids.com or Terry Hall’s Facebook page.
• Indoor Sports and Recreation: Enjoy the Recreation Center at GVSU with a day pass!  If the Sports Center or Pool sound like more fun, you can do that too! Click here for information.  
• Snow Day Fun: Try these fun ideas while staying home and warm!
• World of Winter Fest: Numerous family-friendly large scale, interactive art exhibits that includes over 80 ice sculptures, the singing tree, and a light maze! Check out this FREE event as a way to enjoy the Michigan temperatures.
• Story Walks:  Pages from picture books will be posted on signs along the path for your family to read together – along with ideas for things to look for and do as you walk! What stories and what park changes often, so watch the calendar closely.
•  Looking for more to do this winter? World of Winter Fest downtown Grand Rapids has so many free things to do with your family. Concerts, Ice Skating, Scavenger hunts, ice sculptures and more. Take a look at everything going on downtown, you are bound to find something fun for everyone.

Educational Opportunities:

• Internet/Social Media Training: Remembrance Ranch is excited to offer you a free presentation regarding internet usage and ways to keep teens safe while navigating technology.  Alan VandenBosch, an Ottawa County Juvenile Detention Officer, will be at Life Stream Church on Wednesday, January 26, 2022 to talk about the many risks associated with today’s technology and ways to protect ourselves. For all the details and to sign up please for this FREE event, please click here.
• Sibshops: Brothers and sisters of children with special needs now have a group thats just for them. If you think your child(ren) would benefit from a peer support sibling group, sign up and see meeting dates here.
• Raising Resilient Children: This is a virtual support/educational group for anyone parenting children who have been exposed to domestic violence. There’s registration information in the flyer.
• Exploring Mental Illness: Every one is encouraged to come learn about the signs, symptoms, and treatment for mental illness, separating fact from fiction, so that together we can defeat the stigma with understanding. Dates and registration information is found here.
• Parent Education Videos: In 2021, Ottawa County Substance Abuse Prevention (OSAP) launched a new Parent Education Video series. Several West Michigan parents self-recorded their parenting experiences or conversations with their teens about topics linked to substance use or mental health. These candid recordings give insight into how parents can engage teens in necessary conversations that may feel uncomfortable to start or other helpful parenting advice. OSAP will release a short video each week on its YouTube Channel. Click here to watch the first video of the new Parent Education Video Series. 
• GVSU K-12 Connect: Offering free tutoring services and homework help to students in grades K-12.  See the link for more information and to sign up.
• Early Childhood: The Jenison Early Childhood Center (ECC) has a new facebook page!  Check out the Facebook link for everything going on in early childhood! 
• Arbor Circle Strengthening Families 10-14: Arbor Circle is excited to announce our next 7-week session of the evidence-based Strengthening Families 10-14 Program! This program will be held in-person, and will be offered at a first come/first-serve basis to follow our agency protocols. This is truly a unique class, specifically designed for families of 10-14 year-olds. Free childcare is provided on-site for younger kid, and a free family meal is provided each week as well.  See this flyer for more information and to sign up.
• Depression / Bipolar /Anxiety Support: Fairhaven church in Jenison is offering a free DBSA support group on the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month.  See this flyer for more information.

Community Resources:

• FREE at-home COVID-19 Tests: Learn how to obtain your free at-free Coivd-19 tests here.
• Tax Preparation Assistance: Preparaing and filing for your 2021 taxes can be both costly and confusing.Check out Tax Preparation to find resources and click on resources that may be helpful to your family in this season
• Food Club: Families that are a part of the food club can receive fresh and pantry food items at a very low cost.  Learn all about it by watching this information video in English or Spanish.
• Free and Low Cost Childcare: Michigan has recently expanded it’s eligibility for families to qualify for free and reduced quality childcare.  See more information in the  Child Care Handout – For Families or signup at MiBridges.
• Kids Covid vaccine clinic: Ages 4-11. See flyer for where and when clinics are being held.
• Homebuyer Education: Neighborhood Housing Services, a HUD-certified housing counseling agency, teaches a Homebuyer Education class each month that meets the education requirement for MSHDA down payment assistance.  The class is split over 2 evenings, and is available for a small fee. First-time homebuyers will learn all the details of the home-purchase process from pre-qualification to closing.   See this flyer for more information. 
• Hearing and Vision Screening: The Ottawa County Health Department is offering free vision and hearing screenings for children ages 3-5 years of age. Please see the flyer to sign up!
• Dental Care: Miles of Smiles offers free dental care for children 0-20 years of age who have medicaid or are uninsured and live or go to school in Ottawa County.  See the attached flyer to find out more!

• January Mobile Food Pantry

• The Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program is an opportunity for eligible households to receive one monthly benefit in the form of a discount of up to $50/month on eligible fixed or mobile broadband services and associated equipment for participating providers.  Please see the  link for more information on the program.

• Heat and Energy Program: TrueNorth Community Services’ emPower Heat and Energy Program assists people struggling to afford their utility and deliverable fuels in Michigan – Apply today!
• Energy Bill Assistance:  The Salvation Army has a program that might be right for you.  See this flyer for more information. 
• Emergency Utility Program: Local Community Action Agencies across Michigan provide help with utilities, weatherization, and emergency assistance. Locate a participating agency near you or create a MI Bridges account and search for Utility Service Payment Assistance resources. Immediate help may be available if you are facing conditions of extreme hardship or emergencies threatening your health and safety.  See MiBridges  for more information or to sign up.
• Housing assistance resources for renters and landlords: The COVID-19 pandemic has created economic uncertainty in the lives of those we serve – particularly in their housing. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a new website that allows renters and landlords to find information on rental assistance in their area. This assistance can cover rent, utilities, and other housing costs to help keep residents in their homes. The website offers resources in English and Spanish.  Click on the links for more information:  Rent and Utility Assistance          Utility Bills