Grand Rapids Business Journal
VerWys, a longtime nonprofit leader, succeeded Megan Hopkins and joined the organization Monday.
Founded in 1990, Safe Haven Ministries is a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering all survivors to find freedom from domestic violence while working to prevent and end relationship abuse.
VerWys has amassed an array of nonprofit leadership experiences over the past 20 years, including founding/co-founding two organizations, Curate and Solutions to End Exploitation (SEE) in Grand Rapids. She most recently served as executive director of SEE and chairs the SEE Human Trafficking Coalition, formerly the Kent County Area Human Trafficking Coalition.
“Rachel has a strong history of leading at the intersection of faith and social justice, and we look forward to her joining Safe Haven to elevate the organization’s mission, vision and impact in the years to come,” said Chaz Amidon, Safe Haven Ministries’ board president.
Grand Rapids Business Journal
Partners will leverage $1.5M in human trafficking prevention funds.
Rachel VerWys
Kent Intermediate School District recently received a federal grant it is using in coordination with a local coalition to increase human trafficking prevention efforts in Kent County.
The $1.5 million Human Trafficking Youth Prevention Education (HTYPE) Demonstration Program grant Kent ISD received in October is one of eight nationally from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Trafficking in Persons.
In partnership with the Kent County Area Human Trafficking Coalition, Kent ISD will work with coalition member nonprofits Solutions to End Exploitation (SEE) and Wedgwood Christian Services on creating a safer community through prevention education to stop exploitation.