Courtney Myers-Keaton leads a coalition of more than 60 nonprofit service organizations, agencies, municipalities and community members to tackle the problem of homelessness.
Housed within Heart of West Michigan United Way, the coalition provides temporary shelter, social services, and assistance in finding and maintaining permanent and safe housing.
The coalition has its roots in Kent County’s Essential Needs Task Force, which was formed in 1982 as the first coordinated effort to ensure basic needs of residents. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) had recently required communities that receive homeless assistance funding to form a Continuum of Care, out of which the coalition was born. It took its current name and mission in 2021.
Myers-Keaton said her biggest recent “win” was securing a $2.47 million HUD grant — on the coalition’s fifth attempt — to help end youth homelessness. The funding allowed the group to create an action plan that is now underway. The grant also will ensure continued funding for youth-specific programs that already exist.
“It’s an honor to be part of a group of leaders in our community who are being recognized for their efforts,” she said of her 40 Under 40 award.
Prior to joining the coalition in 2018, Myers-Keaton worked for Great Start Collaborative Kent County and the Healthy Homes Coalition of West Michigan. In the latter role, she developed a direct services program to identify and mitigate hazards to children’s health, such as lead, radon and asthma triggers.
Myers-Keaton also serves on the Kent County Health Equity Council and is a member of the Housing Stability Alliance.
