What is “Women for Dégagé” (W4D)?

An emerging group of focused women committed to making a positive impact on the lives women facing homelessness and other difficulties. They use their passion, power, skills, and connections to support Dégagé Ministries and the Open Door Women’s Center.

What is the mission of W4D?

To support the Dégagé Ministries mission:

To reflect the love of Christ to all who come through our doors by
building relationships and offering programs that foster dignity and respect.

To serve as a platform for women of the Grand Rapids community to come together to care for, support, and empower women seeking help thru Dégagé Ministries Open Door Women’s Center.

What is the Open Door Women’s Center?

The Center provides a safe haven to 40 women each night who have no other place to sleep. More than 300 individual women stay at the shelter each year at a cost of to the ministry of $30 per woman per night, or $438,000 annually. Staff is available during the day to assist with setting goals and exploring options for securing permanent, sustainable housing. Christ’s love is reflected in a welcoming environment where women are supported in making positive lifestyle changes.

Why support Degage and the Open Door Women’s Center?

The Center consistently has to turn women away due to lack of space and other resources. The Grand Rapids community needs to – and can – do better than that. W4D will help support the Center as it increases its capacity to provide shelter and services to 80 women, including women with children aged 5 or younger.

What does W4D do?

W4D engages women in our community in supporting the mission of Dégagé and its open Door Women’s Center. Members employ their energy and resources to measurably impact the lives of the women served by the Center. Their scope includes everything from developing and implementing expanded services for housing, health and wellness, education, and employment; to fundraising or collecting needed ”wish list” items; to building partnerships with businesses and other community organizations; to simply standing alongside women in need and giving love, support and friendship. W4D provides the resources needed to bridge the gap between staying at the Open Door and securing and sustaining permanent housing.

Who is W4D?

W4D is local women from all walks of life. They are women committed to helping other women in our community secure and sustain safe and affordable shelter for themselves and their children. They are caring and compassionate professionals, homemakers, business women, laborers, educators, health and wellness providers, community leaders, tradeswomen, church members, politicians, students, retirees, and all others in our community.

They are you. They are us. Together we can do so much.