A Santa Visit, A Safe Night, A Warm Meal
When the Future Is Uncertain, Community is our Constant
Consider making a donation that makes moments like this happen.
This holiday season at Resilience’s emergency shelter has been unforgettable — because, even in the midst of uncertainty, our community came together time and time again to surround survivors with comfort, care, and connection. We hope you’ll read more and celebrate the moments that have brought us joy below.
A Thanksgiving That Felt Like Home
It began with a generous donor who reached out asking how they could help one family have a Thanksgiving meal. That one act of compassion expanded into something much bigger. They provided Thanksgiving dinner for our entire shelter.
Residents gathered in the kitchen, cooking together, sharing stories, and feeling something they may not have felt in a long time: a sense of normalcy. In a season of uncertainty and transition, they felt the warmth of community. And now, that same donor is rallying their own circle to provide a Christmas brunch for everyone staying in our shelter over the holidays — proof that kindness inspires more kindness.
Critical Security Upgrades Happening Thanks to Women Who Care
This fall, we were honored to be selected as the Holland/Zeeland Women Who Care nonprofit of the quarter. Together, these incredible women donated over $29,000 — funds that will go directly toward critical safety upgrades in our shelter.
At the Women Who Care meeting, we were deeply touched when former board member Jane Armstrong shared her pride in helping start Resilience, and her joy in seeing what, together with our community, this organization has grown to be.
Safety is the foundation of everything we do. It’s not glamorous work, and it’s not always visible. But it changes lives. And because of them — and you — families sleeping under our roof will be safer than ever before.
A Visit from Santa That None of Us Will Forget
Then came the Christmas magic. Literally.
Santa and Mrs. Claus came to our shelter to visit the children staying with us. It was an afternoon full of wide eyes, giggles, and belief in good things. One little boy whispered that all he wanted was a T-Rex. Our board member, Elissa, who brought the idea to life and arranged the visit, said she watched and held back tears as he opened a T-Rex toy with pure joy, hand-delivered by Santa himself.
Our board members, staff, and Survivor Advisory Council made sure every child received a gift they had truly been wishing for. Magic like that doesn’t just happen. It’s built by community.
80 Families — And Counting — Given Hope Through the Holiday Shop
This year, thanks to you, our completely donor-supported Holiday Shop has already helped more than 80 families select Christmas gifts, meet basic needs, and leave with dignity intact. Parents walked away with tears in their eyes — tears of relief, gratitude, and joy. Many didn’t know how they would make Christmas happen. You made it happen.
At the Heart of Every Moment: Community
A Thanksgiving dinner. A visit from Santa. Safety upgrades. A holiday shop filled with generosity. Every moment of comfort, every spark of joy, every sigh of relief — our community made possible.
It takes a lot to sustain an organization that operates 24/7. Our staff show up with compassion and determination every single day, supporting those brave enough to walk through our doors. But we cannot do this work alone.
When the future is uncertain for the survivors we serve,
community is their constant.
Community is our constant.
And community means you.
As we close out the year, we invite you to continue standing with survivors, supporting safety, and fueling hope. A donation today ensures that every person who comes to Resilience finds more than shelter — they find connection, dignity, and a path forward.
Thank you for being our constant.
