For many college students, spring break is a time to relax, travel, or catch up on sleep. But for a group of students and staff from Grace Christian University, it was an opportunity to serve the community. they rolled up their sleeves and spent their break volunteering with ICCF Community Homes, helping to restore a home in southwest Grand Rapids.
Restoring Hope, One Home at a Time
The project involved tearing out old carpeting, removing cabinets, and prepping the floors down to the subflooring. Once renovations are complete, the house will become a home for a family in need, available through ICCF Community Homes’ rent-to-own program.
“We are pulling out carpet, ripping out cabinets, making sure all the flooring is down to the subflooring,” said Kyle Bohl, associate vice president of student affairs and athletics at Grace Christian University.
For students like Jace Sitzema, it was a hands-on learning experience, sometimes in unexpected ways.
“Sometimes, plaster is coming down from the ceiling, you’ve got to watch out. I’ve pulled down some cabinets and fell over in front of everyone,” Sitzema shared, laughing.
Why Students Choose to Serve
Convincing students to spend their spring break on a worksite might seem like a challenge, but at Grace Christian University, service is ingrained in our culture.
“When students find out that we’re having a great time listening to fun music, helping with a home demo, or maybe doing some patchwork for drywall, they really do come out. They enjoy it,” said Bohl.
Grace has partnered with ICCF Community Homes for years, providing volunteers for home renovations and community service projects.
Addressing the Need for Affordable Housing
ICCF Community Homes plays a crucial role in providing affordable housing in Grand Rapids. With a portfolio of 700 to 800 rental properties and homes for purchase, the nonprofit works to support low- to moderate-income families.
“There’s a huge waiting list right now,” said Sheryl Baas, an ICCF volunteer and project manager.
Rehabilitating homes is a costly process, with expenses ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 per home. Volunteers, like those from Grace Christian University, help keep costs down and make these projects possible.
A Lesson in Giving Back
For students at Grace Christian University, volunteering is about more than just service hours, it’s about being part of something bigger.
“We’re seeing Gen Z and Gen Alpha wanting to be part of something bigger than themselves,” Bohl said. “What we’re doing is giving them an opportunity to be part of a large group effort within the Grand Rapids area to really help homeowners get homeownership at a decent value.”
By spending their spring break helping others, these students aren’t just fixing up houses, they’re learning a foundation of service, faith, and community that will stay with them long after graduation.
Want to learn more about Grace Christian University’s commitment to service? Visit our website to see how you can get involved!
