Baxter Community Center's 2020 Annual Report

2020 ANNUAL REPORT

2020 was anything but normal. As the relationship status option on Facebook says, it was “complicated.” For those with means, the hurdles of the pandemic became an adventure: Eating in Igloos, Virtual Playdates/Game Nights with friends, and let’s not forget Food Truck Fridays. However, the pandemic also brought forth harsh truths for others across the nation. And for us here at Baxter, those harsh truths affected (and are still affecting) a lot of our neighbors. Health and Economic Disparities, Limited Access to Resources, and for many a Sense of Despair. As an organization, figuring out our response to the pandemic was the easy part. We would continue to serve our community ...as a medical home, a food resource, and knowing that we would do whatever was necessary to support our neighbors through this time of uncertainty. Though the pandemic has gone on much longer than we expected, it is still our belief that it is temporary. Inequity. Systemic Racism. Paternalism. None of these things are new. However, in 2020 many were emboldened to both literally and figuratively wear their hate on their chests, while others tried to quietly hide, in hopes of going undetected, yet still enjoying the benefits of this same hate both directly and indirectly. Despite good intentions, and a formative history rooted in social justice, we had to admit to ourselves that even here at Baxter, we have fallen short. We have operated under the spirit of business as usual, the mindset of \"it's always been that way...\" and gotten far too comfortable in who we were and in many ways have stopped showing up as who we say we are. We understand that acknowledgement of these injustices isn’t enough, and that action - uncomfortable and unfamiliar as it may be, is required. Baxter has an amazing, passionate staff. Characteristics that are essential, as we have begun to evaluate our systems, our hows, and even our whys. We are challenging ourselves as an institution, our staff, and even our supporters...we are challenging business as usual. As I serve my first year as Executive Director of Baxter Community Center, I can tell you that I am excited for the things on our horizon. I am inspired by our rich history. And most importantly, I am proud of who we are! Sonja Forte Executive Director

BAXTER'S IMPACT Health Education 110 1,022 1,260 180 Dental Cleanings Wholistic Health Books Read in the Days Open in the CDC 5,868 Center Visits CDC Covid Tests Administered 4,000 540 17 Seedlings Grown Meals and Snacks Laptops Purchased Served in the CDC for Mentoring 328 421 16 14 Holiday Baskets Families Served Per Preschool Graduates Weeks of School Month in Marketplace Distributed Celebrated Age Care

COVID'S IMPACT



LOOKING AHEAD Baxter is excited to announce big things coming in 2021, including Summer Programming for students in K-5th grade, a Community Kick-Back on August 12 (Save the Date!), and winter activities at Joe Taylor Park in partnership with Friends of Grand Rapids Parks and the City of Grand Rapids.

PARTNER WITH US Baxter Community Center relies on our friends and neighbors to support our work. The Wholistic Health Center is always seeking doctors and dentists to volunteer their time to serve our patients. Keeping our Child Development Center affordable requires investments from individuals, businesses, and foundations. Our Marketplace is often stocked through food drives and generous Amazon shoppers adding a few extras from our Wishlist. Contact us at [email protected] to learn more about how to get involved. You can give online by visiting www.wearebaxter.org/give-2/

935 Baxter St. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49506 Baxter Community Center is a 501(c)3 organization. Your donation is tax-deductible. Tel (616) 456-8593 I Fax (616) 456-8595 I www.wearebaxter.org I [email protected]