About
Gracious Grounds is a nonprofit housing community that supports successful independent living for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Quick Facts
Gracious Grounds was established in 2013, serving adults with disabilities for over 10 years.
We have 3 housing locations with a total capacity for 50 residents.
Our community includes 6 Resident Assistants who live on campus.
Gracious Grounds is located in beautiful Grand Haven, MI.
Community Values
Independence
& Choice
Caring
Community
Inclusion
& Respect
Partnering Together
as a Village
Our Team
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Liz Nienhuis
+ strategic direction
+ programming
+ fundraising
+ marketing
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Rose Dunlap
+ property management
+ resident onboarding
+ RA management
+ accounting
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Christy VanKuiken
+ welcome and assist all
+ organize communication info
+ manage calendars
+ record keeping
RESIDENT ACTIVITY COORDINATOR
Cindy Wilhelm
+ interest-based opportunities
+ community & agency connections
+ activity & workshop planning
+ volunteer coordination
Resident Assistants
Tom & Jamie Langeler
Despelder St. Residence
Tom and Jamie have been involved with Gracious Grounds since 2017 when they began volunteering. They officially joined as RA’s in the fall of 2019.
Jamie has worked in both public and private schools settings serving a variety of students. She continues to learn Spanish and sign language. Tom works at Benchmark Wood Studio, and enjoys sharing his love of woodworking and is always ready to lend a helping hand.
Tom and Jamie experience joy everyday serving at Despelder and are honored to do life alongside six wonderfully-inspiring members of our community. In their free time, Tom and Jamie enjoy camping, hiking, kayaking, biking and getting ice cream with their son and daughter-in-law. But their dog, Tucker, is happiest when everyone is together at home.
Sarah Streng
Ohio Ave. Residence
Sarah has a strong background in community based therapies and is a valuable asset in community. In addition to being an R.A., Sarah works as the Program Coordinator at the Momentum Center for Social Engagement, as an Occupational Therapist for Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, and serves on the Board of Directors for Kenzie’s Be Cafe.
Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, hammocking, traveling, photography, learning Spanish and playing with her energetic dog, Birdie.
Landen Koster
Lakeshore Flats Residence
Landen has worked for the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District (OAISD) providing specialized education to young adults with disabilities since 2016. He is so thankful to be a part of the Gracious Grounds community. He enjoys spending time at the beach, hammocking, and tubing down the Muskegon river.
Beth Cihacz
Lakeshore Flats Residence
Beth is a graduate of Kuyper College with a B.A. in Youth Ministry, and
in addition to being an R.A., currently works at Love In Action.
Beth believes people with disabilities have value and are beautiful, and serves our community with great compassion, humor, and creativity! She enjoys getting to know Gracious Grounds residents and parents and bonding with her fellow R.A’s.
Emma Ragar
Lakeshore Flats Residence
Emma moved to “The Mitten” in 2012 with her daughter Angela. Emma worked at Ottawa Area Intermediate Young Adult Services Program before taking on her position with Geskus Photography.
While working in the Young Adult Services program, Emma found that she truly enjoyed helping, teaching, and spending time with those that needed it and benefited from it. It’s also where both she and her daughter made many new friendships. Emma has the patience, perspective, and “mama bear” focus that our community members need and is enjoying getting to know all the Gracious Grounds Lakeshore Flats Residents while building new friendships for both herself and her daughter.
Board of Directors
Kevin Green (President)
Kevin is the General Manager at Spring Lake Country Club (SLCC). He is serving on the Board for the second time after terming out as a founding Board Member in 2013. Kevin has worked with many of the current Gracious Grounds residents at SLCC through the Spring Lake Schools offsite programming to help develop workplace skills.
Katie Appold (Vice President)
Katie is the owner of a West Michigan-based nonprofit consulting firm, Nonprofit Nav; the executive director of Inform USA (a professional membership association for nonprofits leaders who work in information and referral); and an adjunct professor and curriculum author for Cornerstone University. Katie has served on many boards of directors as well as served in leadership roles for several West Michigan nonprofit organizations.
Dick Thompson (Treasurer)
Dick Thompson joined the Gracious Grounds Board of Directors in 2021 and currently is the Treasurer. In 2020 he retired from a career as an accountant in the hospitality and senior housing industries. He and his wife reside in Grand Rapids.
Erin Lyon (Secretary)
Erin Lyon joined the Gracious Grounds Board of Directors in 2019 and currently is the Secretary. She has a Law degree and is the Executive Director of Kenzie’s BE cafe.
Katie Radley
Katie graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in Family Community Services. She owns a local therapy clinic, The Shoreline Center, where they service children with disabilities. Her inspiration for The Shoreline Center came from her search to find services for her son who was diagnosed with autism at a young age.
Mary Lehmann
Mary is a graduate of the University of Michigan and a retired financial management executive. She is the mother of two children in their thirties, and has been married to Craig for 41 years. Mary is a past member of non-profit boards in the Detroit area including Vista Maria and Inforum. Through her experiences with her adult son, Mary has become passionate about improving the lives of people with mental health challenges.
Char Seise
Char is a lifelong resident of Grand Haven, with a Bachelor’s Degree from Cornerstone University and throughout her career, has worked in a variety of private sector roles and faith based non-profits. She was hired to create the City of Grand Haven’s Neighborhood Housing Services Department where she became acutely aware of the housing challenges we face in our community. Now, as the city’s Community Affairs Manager, she oversees the operations of Central Park Place. She brings a variety of skills with her to the board, including grant research/writing, program development and community networks.
Scott Larsen
Scott joined the GG Board in 2021. He has been in the Commercial Construction industry for over 30 years. His motivation stems from his daughter who is a GG Community member.
Bob Coyne
Bob was a public school professional for just over 26 years. He received a bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University and a Master’s degree from Grand Valley State University. Bob has been married to Annie for 27 years and they have five children. In addition to his many roles as a professional educator, Bob has done work in his parish and with Autism Support of West Shore. Bob Joined the Gracious Grounds board in January 2023.
Stacy Freed
Stacy graduated from Walden University with a Master’s in Public Administration. She is the Director of Programs for Pioneer Resources. She is also an accreditation Program Surveyor for CARF International and provides peer consultation for continuous improvement in the field of vocational rehabilitation, community integration, and community housing. Stacy has three grown children with Autism.
Gay Cole
Gay is pleased to begin her second term on the Gracious Grounds board. After retiring as an educator, Gay served on boards in our community as well as committees at her church. She has seen the growth of this organization from a dream to reality for our community members. Gay’s motivation is the people who consider Gracious Grounds their home, including her daughter. Witnessing their pride in living independently makes the service a joy. Gay has seen the life changing effect Gracious Grounds provides.