God’s house will shelter the homeless as Muskegon Lakeside and Lake Harbor UMCs merge.

On May 15, 2016 the congregations of Lakeside and Lake Harbor United Methodist churches merged. 

Then, in the spirit of giving, Lakeside UMC gifted their facility, at 2160 Crozier, to Family Promise of the Lakeshore. 

Both churches were active in founding Family Promise. Family Promise is a program and shelter for families experiencing homelessness. Lakeside UMC will hold its last  service on June 5th. Modifications to the building, which  include adding a family bathroom and a laundry room, will begin shortly after that.

Grateful for the gift, Family Promise looks forward to the move this summer with no interruption in service to families. The Crozier Street facility will offer significantly lower operating expenses as well as comfortable and safe surroundings for the families served by the agency. The new home for Family Promise will also allow for expansion of the number of families that can be served, space for fundraising activities and community meetings.

Since 2009, Family Promise of the Lakeshore has worked with local churches who host the families for dinner and overnight one week at a time, four times per year. This gives the host church an opportunity to put their mission of helping the local community into action. There are currently 20 host and support churches with 1,000 volunteers. 

Families are at the Day Center from 6:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. with a social worker available for guidance and advocacy in reaching their goals of employment and housing. Life skills classes include Budgeting, Tenancy, Parenting, Nutrition, and Civic Engagement.  

An open house will be held when renovations are complete at which time a memorial plaque recognizing the Lakeside UMC congregation’s impact on families will be unveiled. 

Since coming to the area seven years ago, Family Promise of the Lakeshore has served 176 families with 560 family members for over 26,000 days of care.  

Last Updated on January 12, 2023