Gen One Parenting

because thriving children start with supported parents

Planting seeds of change.

Watering growth.

Nurturing transformation.

OUR MISSION

We work to strengthen families by walking alongside parents with research-informed parenting education and tools that help build strong, connected homes—because thriving children start with supported parents.

WHY we do what we do

Parenting is one of the most important and challenging roles in our society—and while many parents manage without formal support, research shows that accessible, relational resources and support improve outcomes for families and communities.

All parents should have access to the support, knowledge and tools they need to raise strong, healthy, secure children. When families face financial strain, trauma, or barriers to support, it can make effective parenting harder—putting children’s health, development, and well-being at greater risk.

We believe stronger parenting support systems can change everything. When families are equipped with practical, relational parenting tools and developmental knowledge, it doesn’t just improve the home—it ripples into schools, communities, and futures.

When parents are professionally supported, they parent with more confidence, connection, and calm and are able to create a nurturing home environment.
When children feel safe and secure, they thrive at home and in school.
When communities invest in families, they raise the next generation with resilience and hope.

WHAT the need looks like

1 in 3 children will live at least part of their childhood without an involved father.
Nearly half of U.S. parents say parenting is harder today than it was 20 years ago.
81% of parents say they could use more support.
40% of lower-income parents say financial strain gets in the way of good parenting.

WHERE we work

In person across West Michigan (and virtually anywhere)—one parent, one family, one community at a time.

We focus on high-impact, relational support, offering coaching and teaching in local organizations like churches, schools, and nonprofits across West Michigan so we can meet people where they already gather. Our model is designed to grow—with your support.

HOW we accomplish our mission

We believe every parent deserves access to support—no matter their financial situation.
That’s why we start with removing as many barriers as we can. We offer sliding-scale services, made possible by generous donors and grant partners.

Parenting Seminars/Workshops

Interactive, real-talk sessions that focus on everyday parenting challenges.

Some of the topics we cover:

Effective communication skills
The power of creating a strong parent-child connection
Helping kids with big emotions
Parenting neuro-divergent kids
Effective discipline strategies
How to raise competent, resilient kids

Subsidized Coaching

Not every parent can afford personalized coaching. Through donor and grant support, we offer both small group and 1:1 parenting support on a sliding scale for families and organizations that need it most.

Leader Training

We train school staff, church volunteers, and nonprofit teams to support parents with empathy and research-informed tools.

Community Partnerships

Whether it’s a church trying to serve young parents, a school navigating family dynamics, or a nonprofit working with underserved families—our partnerships bring encouragement, education, and long-term support.

JOIN US

Parenting matters. And access to quality support does too. Together, we can equip and empower parents to build stronger families and create brighter futures.

You can help by:

Donating to make coaching and classes accessible
Partnering as a local organization who serves parents
Spreading the word to those who can donate/partner
Spreading the word to those who need the help we offer

One parent. One family. One community at a time. Together.

Give the Gift of Support

Gen One Parenting is a 501(c)(3).

All donations are tax-deductible.

EIN 33-4877594

OUR STORY

Long before Gen One Parenting was a nonprofit, it was a vision that took root around our family dinner table. While raising our three kids, our dinner table often felt like "holy ground". We felt it was our sacred space, because it’s where we connected—over food, laughter, hard questions, and honest conversations. As followers of Jesus, we believed that loving well and showing up for one another was the beginning of something bigger. And we started to wonder: What if what we practiced around this table could ripple out into the world?

At the time, I was deep into my work as an educator, with more than 30 years spent walking alongside students and families from every background. Over and over, I saw how kids thrive when the adults in their lives are supported. And how kids struggle when the grownups raising them are overwhelmed, under-resourced, or on their own. And yet, the parents who most need encouragement, tools, and support are often the least likely to have access to it—especially those facing financial hardship, trauma, or systemic challenges.
At home, our family of five continued asking some big questions around our table: How could we live out our family mission—Loving, Encouraging, Blessing—in a way that reached beyond our home's walls?

Our daughter Greta was just seven when she began her quest of how to help bring clean water to people in need. That dream became our first “Walk for Water” (< click link to watch a short video!) and eventually inspired others to take action too, including the development of the nonprofit 20liters.org.
Her boldness reminded us that real change often starts close to home—with one conversation, one family, one step toward something better. That’s the heart of Gen One Parenting. We're taking steps toward something better because we believe strong families build strong futures for everyone. And we know—both professionally and personally—how transformative it is when parents feel seen, equipped, and encouraged. No one should have to do this alone. We were thankful for the support we had while raising our kids, but we know that not every parent has that same kind of support available to them. Yet, every parent deserves support that is relational, research-informed, and rooted in real life. Support that doesn’t just teach, but transforms. Support that plants seeds, nurtures growth, and helps families truly flourish. We're not about perfect parenting. We're about walking alongside families as they do the hard work of raising the next generation.
Join us in supporting this vital and transformative work.