In the News: Articles About Dégagé

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Press Release: Beach Day

Surprisingly, many individuals in our city have never seen Lake Michigan, enjoyed a picnic in the sand, or walked along the pier. For nearly 10 years, Dégagé Ministries, a community center for the homeless and low-income, has been taking its patrons to Grand Haven during the summer months to help break up the monotony of poverty for individuals that seldom leave the city streets of Grand Rapids. The next trip will take place on Tuesday, July 21^st. A bus will leave Dégagé at approximately 9:45 am, arrive at Grand Haven State Park (near the pavilion) between 10:30-10:45 am and leave the park at 2:30 pm.

Dégagé has accommodations for 55 individuals, many of whom sleep in area missions or on the street. Every time the annual trips are taken, there are participants that are visiting the beach for the first time in their life. While at they beach, they enjoy a picnic lunch, volleyball tournaments, Frisbee, sand castle building and other games. “Beach Day” is the highlight of the year for many individuals, who even in the winter months ask staff members when the next trip will be. 

The transportation for Tuesday’s trip was provided anonymously by a community member.