The document is a newsletter from the Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF) celebrating its 40th anniversary. It provides updates on ICCF's recent activities and programs. It discusses the successful 40th anniversary gala which celebrated ICCF's history of serving the Grand Rapids community. It also provides summaries of ICCF's various housing, counseling, and family support programs, and announces two new housing programs planned to launch in the summer.

1. Blueprints
IN THIS ISSUE
Jonathan Bradford on
“From Grace, Justice”
Impact of You!
40th Anniversary Gala a Success
SPRING at ICCF
I CCF INNER CITY CHRISTIAN FEDERATION SPRING 2014

2. Blueprints Spring 2014 2
Some folks have a hard time with their
decade birthdays, like turning 30 or 40. But
with big anniversaries, such as ICCF’s 40th,
we have good reason to look back with both
thanks and joyful amazement. Having been
nearby for most of ICCF’s first 40 years,
I could fill pages with touching stories of
success achieved by the families we are
privileged to serve. If I started to recount the
kind and encouraging words and the
selfless generosity of our many, many
friends, I might still be at it next year!
But there were also difficult times.
Early in our history I had to lay-off
every employee including myself
because mortgage interest rates rose
to 18% and the only program through
which we could sell our houses was
eliminated. On two other occasions, I
had to announce an across the board
reduction in wages because cash was
so tight.
Like I have done recently, perhaps
you have also looked back and seen
the larger trends evidenced by the
smaller stories of your life. Indeed,
milestones such as big anniversaries
are opportunities to trace God’s
presence and his gracious provision.
We have no clear understanding
about what is going on in the water,
the sky and on the sun to cause an
awesome sunset over Lake Michigan,
better than any fireworks grand
finale. In the same way we cannot
know the interplay of countless little
events, actions, thoughts and words
that are woven by God into the
history and the record of this ministry. But there it is: thousands of
lives gaining a place in which to blossom, kids able to succeed at
school and parents able to be better employees who can then afford
the important things in life, neighborhoods strengthened, crime
reduced and a much improved city tax base.
ICCF is surely a stirring story of God’s providence. From the
architect’s first lines on a blank sheet of paper (ok, a computer
monitor!) to the last stoke of a paint brush, to the countless hours
of study and learning that enables a family to successfully own
a home, each of these is a component
story in God’s loving desire that shalom
prevail all across our community. But
what motivated the volunteers to launch
this effort in 1974 and how is it that their
humble caring so long ago has been so
profoundly multiplied? In this world that
so prizes instant benefit, what has given us the reason to persevere;
what is the fuel that drives and focuses ICCF?
God is on the side of the vulnerable. Those thousands in
our city who are constantly torn between decent housing and
basic nutritional food, or winter clothing, or an emergency $300
repair to a nine year-old car they need to get to work, they are
the vulnerable. That young boy, maybe seven or eight years old,
whose father is in prison and whose mom must often leave him
because she is working two jobs to make a way for her family,
that little guy is highly vulnerable.
Whether the orphan, the widow, the
sick or the poor, God’s word is clear:
on their behalf we are to seek both
justice and mercy. Pursuing both for
the vulnerable is not first a kind and
charitable thing to do. Rather it is
something we do with joy in response
to the justice and mercy God has
showered on us.
In the face of much hardship the
merciful and upright Job humbly
asserts that if he had denied the
desires of the poor or failed to share
bread with orphans he would have
grievously violated God’s laws. In
Jeremiah 22 we read about King
Shallum. After indicting him for his
selfishness in the building of a lavish
palace and choosing to not pay his
workers, Jeremiah recalls the good
and righteous conduct of Shallum’s
father, King Josiah. “He defended the
cause of the poor and needy … . Is
that not what it means to know me?
declares the Lord.
We do not have the option of
sheltering the vulnerable. The
ministry of ICCF is not charity. From
Job, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Micah and from Christ’s earthly ministry
we see clearly that caring for the vulnerable, or as Tim Keller
says in his book Generous Justice, “conduct[ing] all relationships
in family and society with fairness, generosity and equity” is
something we do because our relationship with God is right.
ICCF’s forty years of house construction, housing counseling,
rental property management and homeless sheltering has not been
done to earn the favor of God or our neighbor, but to thank him for
his grace in our lives. Even as God has persevered in his abundant
grace to you and me, we are fueled to act justly and love mercy.
Jonathan Bradford
President and CEO
From Grace, Justice
Jonathan Bradford
President and CEO
“Ottawa Unaware” by William Kurelek
Away from the halls of power where the
Canadian parliament is meeting late into the night,
Mary and the baby Jesus approach a homeless
man, likely the artist himself, in a sleeping bag
beside the St. Lawrence River. Mary puts her lamp
down and lets the child Christ reach out to touch
the forehead of the poor man: A touch of grace
and justice for the vulnerable. Will those who
govern accept the same?

3. Blueprints Spring 2014 3
• Our latest City of Grand Rapids Home Investment Partnerships
Program contract for housing rehabilitation has been
successfully completed and we have three happy families who
now occupy these renovated homes.
• Our current Kent County HOME contract is progressing well.
One home in Lowell has moved into the interior trim and
painting stage, while another home being renovated in Cedar
Springs is currently being dry walled and painted. Two more
homes, one in Lowell and one in Cedar Springs, will be starting
soon.
• Through the generous support of Adtegrity, the outdated and
inefficient boiler at the Family Haven was recently replaced.
This new boiler will both drastically reduce the number of
maintenance hours necessary for the system and provide
significant operational cost savings well into the future.
• Our three commercial tenants at Tapestry Square (Subway,
Biggby, and Chasing Vanity Salon) continue to see much
success. Also, exciting development news for additional vacant
land on this block will be announced shortly.
• Two very successful planning and community engagement
sessions were recently held for the remainder of the vacant
land at Tapestry Square involving neighborhood residents,
businesses, institutions and government officials.
Real Estate Development and Management (REDM) News
Impact of You!
Lloyd Reed enrolled as a student in Introduction to Home Ownership classes at ICCF 13 years ago.
What he learned about the mortgage process and shopping for a home not only made him better equipped
for home ownership, but also motivated him to acquire his own realty license shortly after finishing the
classes. After becoming a licensed realtor, Lloyd looked for a way to work with people who were looking
for housing advice and began teaching the same Introduction to Home Ownership classes he had attended
at ICCF two years prior. Lloyd has now been teaching Introduction to Home Ownership classes for 11 years
and has worked with hundreds of students at ICCF. “I love seeing people work hard to get what they want,”
said Reed, “There is nothing better than the feeling of being able to take part in the process of ICCF clients
realizing their dream of buying a home.”
Thank You!
Lloyd Reed
Tapestry Square

4. Blueprints Spring 2014 4
ICCF’s Anniversary Gala: Building Shalom for 40 Years
ICCF’s Anniversary Gala was a huge success! We celebrated
40 years of serving the Grand Rapids community with almost
600 friends on March 18 and brought community members, ICCF
clients, donors, and volunteers from all around West Michigan
together for an evening filled with fantastic speakers, great music
and the warm company of friends and family!
The evening opened with our President/CEO Jonathan
Bradford’s welcoming remarks emphasizing justice as not only a
principle that has guided ICCF’s involvement in the community,
but also a primary tenet of Shalom. We were also blessed to have
Rev. Thea Leunk set the tone for the evening by delivering a
powerful invocation and recognizing the eight families in 1974
whose combined donations went toward renovating what became
ICCF’s first home. Guests then heard the impactful song “I Win”
by Marvin Sapp.
Before the evening’s meal, guests were treated to a video
reviewing ICCF’s rich history of service to Grand Rapids’ families.
After a dinner service that received rave reviews, Senator Dave
Hildebrand presented Jonathan and Board President Colin Kraay
with a special tribute from the State of Michigan commending
ICCF for its 40 years of service. ICCF’s VP of Advancement,
Sandra Gaddy, then introduced a second video featuring interviews
with ICCF families that told the story of how ICCF equips and
empowers them to achieve housing independence.
LaRissa and Bryan McKissack, Dr. Keith Sumey, and Victoria Smits
Jonathan welcomes everyone
to the Gala
Rev. Thea Leunk delivers a
powerful invocation Marvin Sapp sings “I Win”
Guests mingling during the reception

5. Blueprints Spring 2014 5
Thank you to Everyone who
Attended and Supported This Event!
Patrons
Ada Bible Church
Amway
Baker Book House
Brian Lori Bosgraaf
Jonathan Grace
Bradford
Bill Annette Byl
Cascade Engineering
Chemical Bank
Community Automotive
Repair
Ellis Parking
Federal Home Loan
Bank of Indianapolis
Feyen Zylstra
Fifth Third Bank
Todd Jennifer Gray
Dave Barb Huyser
Tom Jager Agency,
Farm Bureau
Insurance
Duane Jeannette
Kelderman
Colin Sarah Kraay
Bill Phyllis Krombeen
Lake Michigan Credit
Union
Herb Sharon
Lantinga
Lumbermen’s, Inc.
Mercantile Bank
Bill Pat Mills
PNC Bank
Plante Moran
John Preston Melissa
VanderZyden
Ed Joan Stuursma
Sun Title Agency
Universal Forest
Products
Roger Jakki
VanderLaan
Bill Pat Waanders
Yesterdog
Anonymous Donor
Friends
BDR Custom Homes
Brian Boven, Realtor
John Linda Carman
Celebration!Cinema
Ted Debbie Cox
DK Security
DeStigter Architecture
Planning
Dominican Sisters –
Grand Rapids
Fastco Industries
Fence Consultants of
West Michigan
First American Title
First National Bank of
Michigan
Forest Hills Foods
Founders Bank Trust
Arlen-Dean Sandra
Gaddy
Genesis Non-Profit
Housing Corporation
Grand Valley Wood
Products
Janet Haynes
Hendricks Heating
Air Conditioning
Jeff Karen Hoeksema
Hotel Furniture Outlet
Hylant
Integrated Architecture
Bryan LaRissa
McKissack
Modern Hardware
Monsma Marketing
National Nail Corp.
Jerry Cheryl
Nienhuis
Railside Golf Club
Rylee’s Ace Hardware
The Sharpe Collection
Standard Kitchens
VanHaren Electric, Inc.
Duff Ruth VanStee
Williams Distributing
Anonymous Donor
Grand Sponsors
Benefactors
Champions
The evening’s keynote speaker was
Dr. Reginald Smith who delivered an
engaging and inspiring message entitled
“Midwives for Justice.” Bringing
together the Shalom Building theme of
the evening with comments of earlier
speakers, Dr. Smith delivered a lively,
scripture-centered address that evoked
audience responses ranging from hearty laughter
to solemn reflection.
ICCF is extremely grateful for the 91 generous sponsors who
made this event possible.
The evening’s keynote speaker Dr. Reginald Smith
addresses the audience
Guests enjoying dinner
Cate Sid
Jansma, Jr.

6. Supportive Housing Program
The Supportive Housing Program staff
members at ICCF work with homeless
families and individuals to help them quickly
find housing following homelessness. They
also provide support services to help prevent
homelessness when people are in danger of
losing their housing. Also, when a family has
completed their stay at the Family Haven, they
can choose to participate in the Supportive
Housing Program to receive services that focus
on keeping them in their newly acquired home.
Between October 1, 2013 and February 28, 2014,
ICCF has served 37 households in this program
and we still have eight months left in the federal
fiscal year. We provide up to six months of
support, referrals, conversations, guidance, short
term rental assistance and outreach; the level
of participation is determined by individual
families. Program participants locate jobs,
receive job training, further their education,
obtain child care, acquire transportation, and
are connected with other benefits for which they
are eligible. Some families go on to participate
in other ICCF services like financial education
and home buyer counseling after completing this
program. We provide these essential services
with financial support from the Salvation Army,
the City of Grand Rapids, MSHDA and our
generous ICCF donors.
New Programs
ICCF is planning to launch two new
programs this summer with support expected
from our local Housing Continuum of Care
(CoC) and HUD. ICCF’s application to the
CoC for funding was approved locally and has
been sent to HUD for final approval. The first
program is ICCF Rapid Rehousing (RRH)
Program that will serve up to 40 families who
are in shelters or on the streets. It will provide
funds for first months’ rent and security deposits,
as well as support services to help families stay
in their homes.
Another program is ICCF’s Permanent
Supportive Housing (PSH) program. In
this program, we will be assisting up to 23
chronically homeless families who have been
homeless three or more times in one year and
who have a documented disability. Families in
these programs will receive services that they
design with help from their housing support
person and will have access to all of ICCF
financial and housing counseling services.
Building Assets for Fathers Families (BAFF)
We just reached our 507th BAFF participant!
Conversations are underway with Friend of the
Court about ways of sustaining the program
when federal and state funding expires this
September. BAFF is a collaboration with Hope
Network and Kent County Friend of the Court.
The goal of the program is to enable financial
stability for non-custodial parents so they can
meet their financial responsibility to their
children and participate more fully in their lives.
Foreclosure Counseling
ICCF foreclosure counselors
have reported a slight increase
in foreclosure calls during the
months of January and February.
Additionally, marketing efforts are
bringing in many families who have
experienced foreclosure previously
and want to work to clear up past
credit and debt problems. Many
aspire to purchase a home again
in the future, and ICCF Housing
Transition staff members will be
there to help them along the way.
Housing and Family Services (HFS) News
Blueprints 2012 No. 2 6
Blueprints
Blueprints is published by the Inner
City Christian Federation to keep
friends and supporters informed
about ICCF’s affordable housing
ministries.
ICCF Administration Offices
920 Cherry Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49506
Phone: (616) 336-9333
Fax: (616) 336-9323
www.iccf.org
License # MICS 3927
Mission of ICCF
In response to God’s call to justice,
the Inner City Christian Federation
provides housing opportunities
and services that encourage family
responsibility and independence,
thereby helping to build stable
communities.
ICCF Board of Directors
David Bast,
Words of Hope
Jack Bosscher, Secretary,
Calvin College
Dionna Bracey
Pine Rest
Bill Byl,
Kent County Drain Commissioner
John Carrington,
Amway Corporation
Heidi Chinn,
Urban Family Ministries
Ted Cox, Jr., Vice President,
Retired/Community Volunteer
Colin Kraay, President,
Colliers International
Dante Shackelford,
A-Level Group
Bill VanderSluis,
McShane and Bowie, PLC
Don Van Stee,
Don Van Stee Painting
Don Vroon, Treasurer,
The Grotenhuis Group
Eric Washington,
Calvin College
Blueprints Spring 2014
Staff member Elzie Honicutt assists ICCF client

7. Blueprints Spring 2014 7
Planning for the Future: Creating your Love Drawer
Have you ever played the telephone game? You whisper a
message into someone’s ear, which is passed along to a line of
people. By the time the last player announces the message, it is so
different that everyone is laughing hysterically!
There are other times in life, of course, where confusion needs
to be replaced with clarity. Take your family, for example. If Mom
and Dad pass away without a simple Estate Plan, they miss the
opportunity to pass along
their values and valuables
to the next generation with
clarity, opening the door for
confusion to strain family
relationships. The good news
is that our “God is not a God
of confusion, but of peace”
(1 Corinthians 14:33), and we
can live in that truth by taking
steps to show love to our
families and the ministries we
care about such as Inner City
Christian Federation.
Christian financial author and radio host Dave Ramsey
recommends that you set up a “Love Drawer” so that all of the
documents your family will need are in one place when the time
comes.
Your “Love Drawer” could include:
• Financial statements
• Insurance information
• Will or Trust
• List of monthly bills
• Passwords
• Tax returns
• Funeral instructions
In addition to helping your family keep the peace by
communicating your wishes for your valuables, you can also help
the next generation carry on your values by including a Legacy
Love Letter in your Love Drawer. Though not a legal document, a
Legacy Love Letter is a written blessing to your family where you
can express:
• Beliefs and values about God, children, marriage, and money
• Life lessons passed down from previous generations
• Message of hope and encouragement for the future
• Favorite Bible verses that have been meaningful to you
Advancement News
Upcoming Events
Cherry Street Garden
Summer Music Series 2014
ICCF will once again host its Cherry Street Garden Summer
Music Series on the third Thursday of June, July, and August
this summer! Save the dates for these excellent free concerts:
• June 19 – Isaac Norris Project
• July 17 – Mid Life Crisis
• August 21 – AnDro
We look forward to you joining us in our courtyard for these
three days of fun! For more information visit www.iccf.org/
events
Floral Art Exhibit: SPRING at ICCF
After a long winter, we are all awaiting spring with eager
anticipation. The ICCF Art Committee responded by planning an
exhibit with the theme of spring and flowers. The exhibit pieces
were selected by committee members Joel Zwart and Chris Stoffel
Overvoorde and will be available for viewing at 920 Cherry on
weekdays between March 28 and June 7 from 9 AM until 5 PM.
The works are created by well-known artists in the West
Michigan community. The exhibit will feature six artists who work
with a variety of media. Lynn Anderson and Sue Snell will display
watercolors; Liz Dean will display watercolors and pastels; Connie
Kuhnle, Kathy Putnam, and Barbara Schilling will display oil
paintings.
A reception and program in which all the artists will participate
is scheduled for Friday, April 11, 2014 from 7-9 PM at ICCF. Join
us to meet the artists, listen to a panel discussion, view the exhibit
and enjoy light refreshments.
Calling all Volunteers!
Our Real Estate Development Maintenance (REDM) department is looking for skilled and unskilled labor volunteers to help with
painting, landscaping, framing, etc. Please contact Don Fredricks at 336-9333 ext. 209 if you are interested.
ICCF’s Courtyard

8. Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Grand Rapids, MI
Permit No. 313
Making places to come home to.
I CCF
ICCF exists because of the generosity of individuals, businesses, churches, and foundations.
There are many ways you can support ICCF’s housing ministry — financial gifts, gifts of stocks, gifts of real estate, bequests, materials and time.
We are very grateful for our faithful partners and ask that you continue to help make places for families to come home to. Thank you.
phone (616) 336-9333 • fax (616) 336-9323 • website: www.iccf.org
Inner City Christian Federation
920 Cherry Street SE
Grand Rapids
MI 49506
To receive Blueprints electronically, email cvoelker@iccf.org.
Empower Families Throughout the Year
Families First Giving Club at ICCF—2014
❑ Yes, I/we would like to participate in the Families First monthly
contribution program.
Name:_____________________________________________________
Address:___________________________________________________
Phone:_____________________________________________________
Email:_____________________________________________________
The amount I would like to donate monthly is $ ____________________
Receipt Mailing Schedule:
❑ Monthly ❑ Quarterly ❑ Semi-Annual ❑ Annually
❑ I would like to donate with automatic withdrawals from my bank
account (please enclose a voided check)
❑ I would like to charge donations to my credit card (Mastercard, Visa,
Amex, Discover) #___________________________________________
exp _____ / _____
❑ I would like to mail my contributions; please send me pre-addressed
envelopes.
Signature: __________________________________________________
JOIN FAMILIES FIRST
Have you heard about our amazing Families First
Partners? These faithful friends help change lives
day after day and all year long with a monthly gift
to provide housing, classes, and other vital services
to people in the Grand Rapids area who need critical
help. Thank you to our Families First Partners for
making an ongoing difference in the lives of the
families we serve!
If you are not a monthly partner, please consider
joining today. It’s easy – and it’s rewarding! ICCF
can set up an automated deduction from your
checking account or credit card, and you can
customize your mailing schedule as you need to.
To become a Families First Partner, please contact
Christy Voelker: cvoelker@iccf.org or call (616) 336-
9333. You can also sign up right now by completing
the form provided with this newsletter. Give and
make a difference.
Thank you!
Mail to ICCF, Attn: Advancement, 920 Cherry St. SE, GR MI 49506