OUR HISTROY
Inspired by the life of Jesus of Nazareth, Heartside Ministry began in 1983 as a small outreach to the homeless and disenfranchised people of the street, on a blighted section of Division Avenue in Grand Rapids, MI. In a neighborhood all but abandoned by businesses and avoided by many, Heartside took up its work to help the most disadvantaged residents of the streets.
Providing a presence of Grace, with welcoming acceptance and unconditional love, Heartside grew organically to meet the needs of the Neighbors with programs and presence, and the practice of “Biblical Hospitality,” a radical methodology that welcomes the stranger and affirms each person’s intrinsic worth and dignity. In this we found transformation is a natural product of knowing one’s self to be the beloved of God.
Very early on, Rev. George Heartwell joined the staff as a full time pastor and advocate and would serve with us for fourteen years, before taking up a political career that has led to his current role as the Mayor of Grand Rapids.
In 1986, Saint Mary’s Hospital partnered with the ministry, creating Heartside Clinic to bring much needed medical services to the neighborhood. Launched in the ministry’s newly renovated location, the clinic opened its door to provide free medical care for persons living in the Heartside area. In time, the clinic spun off from the Ministry and now serves as an independent agency, providing low or no-cost medical services to Heartside Neighbors. It was to be one of several initiatives the ministry has incubated.
Heartside Ministry outgrew its original location and moved to 54 S. Division. As well as accommodating a medical clinic, the move to 54 S. Division allowed for additional offices, a chapel and a studio & gallery space. With the help of many generous donors, we rehabilitated our current location to be much more useful as well as to be honoring as a Sacred Space--where Neighbors can enjoy the order & support of our programs and spend time with staff & volunteers who affirm and care for each one, according to their needs and abilities.
Sunday morning the Chapel is alive with our worship service. Weddings, funerals, baptisms and other services regularly animate the Chapel as well as morning prayers and bible study. It also provides a spacious meeting area for outreach, enrichment and community events.
Responding again to the needs of the community, January 1993 saw the beginning of adult literacy and GED classes at Heartside. Designed to help Neighbors accomplish their personal best, it was unique in matching students to tutors for individualized help instead of a large class setting. The ministry’s services were further expanded, in 1997, with the addition of a computer center offering resume help, desktop publishing, e-mail and web access for the Heartside Neighbors. In the summer of 2001, a complete pottery studio was set up and a weaving program allowed Neighbors to express themselves, discover talents and produce pieces to sell.
Most recently, the Urban Plunge program was created to foster understanding between the people of Heartside and the greater Grand Rapids community. People can come in groups as small as a handful or up to twenty-five to take the “Jeremiah Walk” and discover the realities of living on the street by talking with Neighbors, reflecting on the systemic causes of disadvantage & poverty in America, and then put their hands to a practical project to make a difference.