A nonprofit that supports children with weakened immune systems is moving to a new facility.
The Children’s Healing Center, currently located at 1530 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, plans to bring the healing power of play to a new location on the Calvin University campus.
To make the new space possible, the Center has embarked on an $8.5 million fundraising campaign called “A Million Minutes More.” Currently, more than half the funds have been raised, with additional opportunities to contribute available.
“We’re delighted to take the healing power of play to a new, larger home in West Michigan that will allow us to better serve our members,” said Amanda Barbour, the center’s founder and CEO. “When we opened the doors to our first physical location in 2015, we knew it likely wouldn’t be our last.”
After an intentional search for an ideal location and with financial support from the state of Michigan, the Center purchased the Youngsma Center, located at 1580 E Beltline Ave., SE adjacent to Calvin University’s nature preserve.
The move will enable the center to meet the needs of its growing member base, who rely the safe place for socialization and fun. Families who use the Center have at least one qualifying child who is immune compromised, which often limits them from visiting public places for fear of getting sick.
The building requires extensive renovations to match the high-quality and hospital-grade environment of the current facility. Work is expected to get underway this fall, with a grand opening for Center members planned for the fourth quarter of 2024. Erhardt Construction is serving as the project’s construction manager and Diekema Hamann as the architect and engineer.
There are still opportunities for leadership and community-supported gifts. If you are interested in giving, please contact Melissa Block at mblock@childrenshealingcenter.org.
More information about the project can be found here.
The Children’s Healing Center is the first year-round recreation center in the nation for children with weak immune systems. The center offers a safe, clean and interactive place for children ages 0 to 26 to play and socialize. For more information, visit childrenshealing.org.
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