Wedgwood Acres, Christian Youth Homes to Merge

Better Stewardship & Better Service See Possible

This blog post is part of our 60th Anniversary Celebration series. Throughout the year we will be taking a look back at Wedgwood’s history of providing distinctively Christian and professionally excellent services to the West Michigan community.

This article was originally published in May 1970 in the Wedgwood Acres-Christian Youth Homes Newsletter.

Following more than a year of intensive study, the boards of directors of Wedgwood Acres and Christian Youth Homes, Inc. have approved a merger of the two organizations.

Discussion between the two Christian child care agencies began in January 1969 and continued into 1970. The initial purpose of these discussions was to consider and explore any matters that were of mutual interest and concern to the sister organizations. Reports prepared by a number of sub-committees appeared to reveal the following:

1. Both organizations were incorporated in 1960, and they have experienced similar growth and program development since that time.
2. The two organizations have essentially the same purpose, i.e. providing quality professional services for children, and at the same time sharing the message of Christ’s redemptive work with these children.
3. Structurally and operationally the two programs are almost identical.
4. Both organizations have been hampered at times by a lack of size. For example, the loss of even one staff member can be a critical blow to a very small agency. Also, the agency is not able to provide very much in the way of staff training, etc.
5. It may be possible to eliminate some costly duplication, particularly in administrative expenses and equipment.
   After much prayer and careful consideration, the two boards of directors became convinced that the needs of boys and girls could be better met and that the cause of God’s kingdom on earth could offer more and better service to children, could exercise better stewardship of the Lord’s money, and could have a greater Christian impact on the community.

Continued Concern and Support Needed

We realize and appreciate the fact that many of you have invested generously of your time, efforts, love, and resources in this work. We sincerely and humbly ask you to give the same measure of Christian love and dedication in the future, as we face new challenges and opportunities – for the glory of God and for the benefit of children.

Wedgwood Acres-Christian Youth Homes Board of Directors | 1970

Gerald Vander Tuig, President
Robert C. Vanderham, Vice President
Gordon J. Quist, Secretary
Philip R. VandeBerg, Treasurer
Madeline VanGoor, VP of Women’s Affairs
Frances Johns, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer
Cornelius Ball
Jean Boelkins
Roger W. Boer
Marian Daverman
Richard DeVos
A. C. Engleman
Dorothy J. Huizenga
Richard A. Parramore
David. E Post

Glenn W. Prince
Martin Sharda, M.D.
J. David Sommer
Freda Tamminga
Harvey VanderArk
William K. Van’t Hof
Betty Van Tuinen
James Velting
Henry Velzen
Alden G. Walters
Floyd Westendrop, M.D.
Donald P. Wierenga
Casey Wondergem
Dave Zylstra

Dick Gritter, Executive Director