Proposal to Repurpose Straight School as an Affordable Childcare, Youth Development Center The Other Way Ministries
Proposal to Repurpose Straight School as an Affordable Childcare, Youth Development Center
The Other Way Ministries
Summary of Proposed Use
The Other Way Ministries is seeking to purchase Straight School (850 Chatham St NW), currently
used primarily as office space, to expand youth and family services for West side families, especially
Sibley/GRPS families. The center would serve an estimated 175 children and youth*, immediately
adjacent to Sibley Elementary School.
Specifically, The Other Way intends to:
● Provide (expand) no-cost, daily after-school and summer program services for up to 55
students* from Sibley Elementary, and (introduce) a before-school program.
● Provide (expand) an affordable childcare for up to 80 infant and toddlers* on the West Side.
● Provide (introduce) wrap-around care for 40 GSRP (Pre-K) students*: Friday care, before and
after school care, and summer care.
*These numbers are conservative estimates based on the basic building layout - further study of the building and
plans would be needed to confirm, and would likely increase these numbers.
Additionally, The Other Way is committed to:
● Work with a nonprofit housing developer to sell its property adjacent to Straight and Sibley
Schools, to potentially add an estimated 10-12 affordable family housing units to the
neighborhood
● Collaborate with other direct-service nonprofits and programs to offer other wrap-around
services for families under one roof with any additional office or program space available
Community Need for Services
The Neighborhood
The neighborhood where Straight School is located has been identified as a “Neighborhood of Focus”
by the City of Grand Rapids based on research from the Kellogg Foundation - representing 2 of 17
census tracts that demonstrate “systemic and historic inequities, whose residents experience the most
disparate outcomes in the following areas compared to other Grand Rapids census tracts and the city
as a whole: Income, educational attainment opportunities, home ownership, and wealth accumulation”
The Need for Affordable Childcare (ages 0-3)
The need for an increase in both available and affordable childcare is well documented both nationally
and locally. A recent IFF study showed that in Kent County alone, an estimated 19,000 children live in
households that cannot afford childcare at market rate. The West Side is also a childcare “desert”, with
only two licensed childcare centers in the immediate area, one operated by The Other Way.
The Need for Wrap-around Care for Pre-k and School-age Youth
With the recent closing of LOOP afterschool and summer programs at Sibley, there has been an
increased demand for after-school and summer programs for youth in the community. Additionally,
there are limited options for parents of 4-5 year-olds enrolled in the district’s GSRP program, which
compared to the K-12 school schedule, operates shorter days, does not operate on Fridays, and has a
shorter school-year. Before-school care for K-5 students is needed for parents who need to start their
work day earlier than the morning bell time, and have limited options for care in the morning, which is a
common situation throughout GRPS.
Larger Neighborhood Vision
If this project is successful, the block defined by Sibley St., Straight Ave., Chatham St., and Lane Ave.
(see linked map) would contain:
- Neighborhood Public School serving Pre-K - 5th Grade (Sibley / GRPS)
- Affordable Childcare and Out-of-School Time Care for ages 0-18 (The Other Way / Boys &
Girls Club)
- Affordable Housing for 10-12 families (nonprofit housing developer TBD - early talks underway)
- Workforce Development (West Michigan Works)
- Green Space (Sibley and Straight Playground areas w/ public walk path)
Community Support for The Other Way’s Acquisition of Straight School
The Other Way Ministries has 57 years of history providing youth development programs, along with a
wide variety of other community programs and services, and enjoys a great deal of trust in the
neighborhood. Additionally, The Other Way also has operated an affordable childcare center
immediately adjacent to both Sibley and Straight buildings for 10 years, with the average family paying
less than $20 per week out-of-pocket.
Several community boards and organizations have formally voted to write and sign letters in support of
this project, including (letters linked in parenthesis):
● Westside Corridor Improvement Authority (link to letter)
● West Grand Neighborhood Association (link to letter)
● West Fulton Business Association (link to letter)
With letters currently pending from:
● Stockbridge Business Association
● John Ball Area Neighbors
Timeline and Next Steps
If GRPS Leadership and Board determine this project as an appropriate use and desires to sell
Straight School, the following timeline would be anticipated.
June 2025 - Price and terms of sale determined
July 2025 - Modifications and build-out costs determined
August 2025 - Capital Campaign - Feasibility Study and Case for Support finalized and launched
September 2025 - February 2026 - Major gifts and pledges secured
March 2026 - May 2026 - Public campaign to reach 100% of fundraising goal
June 2026 - August 2026 - Build-out and modifications completed
September 2026 - Programs begin
Additional Information
- Organizational Summary of The Other Way
- The Other Way Ministries 2024 Annual Report
- Map of the proposed school and surrounding area
- 1971 GR Press Article - The Other Way Serves Westside Youth
Any additional information, details, or suggestions surrounding this proposal are welcome!
Please contact Scott Bloem, Executive Director - sbloem@theotherway.org / 616-454-4011 ext. 5117