Calvin representatives and community partners attended the third annual Community Partnership Celebration on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts (UICA), 41 Sheldon Boulevard SE, Downtown Grand Rapids.

Carol Rienstra, director of community relations at Calvin, notes that the Agent of Renewal award is given each year to someone who "is offering his or her heart and life to promoting God's Kingdom in a way that inspires others to catch the vision of 'making all things new.'"

Deb Armstrong, a case manager at Inner City Christian Federation’s Family Haven, was honored as the 2004 Agent of Renewal, for the guidance she's offered to Calvin students assigned to her to experience the effects of poverty, homelessness and educational barriers. Family Haven provides "clean, dignified and private shelter" via five efficiency apartments that can accommodate homeless families free of charge for up to 30 days. During their stay, families work with staff to identify the issues that led to their homelessness and to secure permanent housing. In addition to shelter and supportive services, Family Haven has a clothing pantry, a food pantry and offers activities for children staying at the Haven. In 2003 Family Haven served 79 families and 186 children with an average stay of 23 nights.

In her work at Family Haven, Armstrong has been a willing liaison for Calvin students who want to deepen their understanding about cultures different from their own. The college students who work with her present glowing reports about personality, Christian commitment and charisma, according to Jeff Bouman, director of Calvin's Service-Learning Center.

Also highlighted were the collaborative efforts of:

*Calvin professor of social work professor Fred DeJong and Ken Van Woerkom, supervisor of juvenile probation officers for 17th Circuit Court were thanked for their collaborations which provided meaningful academically-based service-learning experiences for social work students.
*Calvin history professor Randal Jelks and New Century Montessori principal Steve Stegink spoke about their efforts to increase the possibilities for success for high school students at Ottawa Hills High School and New Century Montessori.
*Calvin chef Tim England and Doug Frens, president of South Hill Neighborhood Association told of the trials and tribulations, as well as the joys and benefits, of revitalizing an urban neighborhood.
* Calvin senior Jessica Coleman was given the 'student' Community Partnership Award for her excellent work on a survey of language needs in the Burton Heights community. Sue DeVries, president of Garfield Development Corporation, was the community partner who coached Jessica during the past year. Burton Heights is the neighborhood where several organizations collaborate with Calvin on a Community Outreach Partnership Center grant from the U.S. Department of HUD, Office of University Partnerships).

Previous Agent of Renewal award recipients include Nolan and Julia Groce, president of L&G Industrial Products; and Sr. Maureen Geary, coordinator of the Grand Rapids Area Housing Continuum of Care. Both the Groces and Geary have worked with Calvin staff and students on projects ranging from planning a computer camp for urban youth to educating students about urban sprawl issues.