Wedgwood Supervisor, Board Member Nominated for Influential Awards

A Wedgwood Christian Services Supervisor and Board Member have been nominated for the MPWRD Business Magazine MPRWRD Influential Awards, which recognize the Hispanic, Asian Pacific, Black, and Indigenous Native Americans (HABI+) in our community that is shaping culture, community, business, and humanity in Grand Rapids and West Michigan.

Michael Voss, Wedgwood’s Residential Program Manager, and Chris Sain Jr., a member of Wedgwood’s NextGen Board, are among the 144 finalists, a list narrowed down from over 470 nominations

“Grand Rapids has a diverse cultural and ethnic makeup that contributes to the economy and social fabric of our community and there are limited opportunities for recognition in media and awards events for Black, Hispanic, Asian Pacific and Indigenous Native Americans and not one that includes all groups collectively,” said Two Eagles Marcus, the founder of MPWRD Business Magazine, and the Influential Awards. “The sustainability of the United States and West Michigan economies are dependent on the economic development of Black, Hispanic, Asian Pacific, and Indigenous Native American populations in entrepreneurship and leadership. The time to recognize, support, encourage, and invest in us is now.”

Michael Voss, a highly regarded Wedgwood employee, has been investing in the lives of young people who have experienced immense challenges like incarceration, addiction, abuse and neglect, and trauma for over 30 years. After working as a corrections officer on death row at a state prison, Voss decided to shift his focus to a more proactive, preventative role, which led him to Wedgwood

“I felt called to get in front of the problem, – helping kids who come into our care avoid becoming the addicts and incarcerated of the future,” said Voss. “I know what’s down the road if they don’t change their path. Teens often have a skewed perception of incarceration, they think it’s cool or means your tough, but I’ve been there. Today my purpose is to do all that I can, whether it is in word or deed to help young people who are lost to find their direction and those who are hopeless to discover hope.”

At Wedgwood Christian Services, Voss has served as the Supervisor for the Van Andel-Summit Home, a Residential Program for teens struggling with substance use and mental health challenges. He was involved in the day-to-day care and treatment of hundreds of kids and offered leadership and support to his team providing the treatment. Now Voss leads and supports all of Wedgwood’s Residential Program supervisors, empowering them to provide the best possible care for the kids who call Wedgwood home.

Chris Sain, Jr. is the founder of Grand C.I.T.Y. Sports – a community-driven nonprofit committed to influencing the youth through sports, education, and community outreach, Chris Inc. Marketing Group, is the Coordinator of Retention at Grand Rapids Community College. He is actively involved in several initiatives that empower community members – particularly people of color – such as producing financial literacy educational content and serving on many boards, including Wedgwood’s NextGen Board.

“It is a great honor to have these two incredibly influential men investing their time and talents at Wedgwood Christian Services, and in the greater Grand Rapids community,” said Dan Gowdy, Wedgwood’s President/CEO. “With everything they do, they strive to empower and elevate those they around them.”

The MPWRD Business Magazine will be honoring the top three nominees in each of the following seven categories: Leaders, Pioneers, Innovators, Challengers, Preservers, Connectors and Visionaries for a total of 21 honorees, which will be named and recognized at the 2020 Influential Award virtual event on January 14, 2021. Tickets for the event, which begins at 6 p.m., are available online at http://grmbmag.com/influential.

 

ABOUT WEDGWOOD | Since 1960, Wedgwood Christian Services has been dedicated to boldly taking on the toughest problems facing children and families through residential care, counseling services, and community programs. Wedgwood’s goal is to support and help restore the physical, social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual well-being of children, adults, and families in our community. COA Accredited.