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
Matt Lehr
+ strategic leadership + board relations & support
+ financial management
+ external relations & advocacy
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 ENGAGEMENT MANAGER
Cindy Wilhelm
+ interest-based opportunities
+ community & agency connections
ACTIVITIES & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Rachel Whiting
+ 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.
McKayla Tyers
Lakeshore Flats Residence
McKayla is studying at GVSU, where she is majoring in Psychology, with a minor in Disability Studies. She loves reading, writing, fishing, and crafting. She deeply enjoys time spent with friends, family and Goldendoodle, Lily. She has worked with the Penguin Project and as a CLS worker. She is deeply passionate about spreading kindness and positivity. Most importantly, she is passionate about supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.
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.
Kathy Betts (Treasurer)
Kathy is pleased to be serving on the Board of Directors in her first term and looks forward to contributing to its important mission. She brings over 25 years of accounting experience to her work and volunteer service, as a graduate from Baker College, with a BBA in Accounting . She has supported businesses of all sizes and industries, currently serving as Director of Finance for the Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven Spring Lake Ferrysburg. Passionate about giving back, Kathy has also served on other boards and various parent support organizations. She is committed to helping her community thrive.
Her heart for nonprofits and creating opportunities for others is what connects her to the mission of Gracious Grounds—building a supportive and inclusive community where everyone can flourish.
Stacy Freed (Secretary)
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.
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.
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.
Nicole Deschaaf
Nicole is honored to be serving her first term on the board for Gracious Grounds. With a professional background in sales, marketing and talent development Nicole has focused her career and volunteer efforts to helping Grand Haven remain a vibrant community where everyone can live, work, play and learn. She is passionate about the mission of Gracious Grounds and its commitment to providing a safe and supportive home where adults with disabilities can live independently and enrich our community as a whole.
Lauren Gowman
Lauren Gowman is currently serving her second term on the board of Gracious Grounds. She graduated from Hope College and has her Master of Business Administration from Cornerstone University. She is a fourth-generation member of her family business, Heritage Senior Communities, where she is deeply involved in senior living operations—work that closely aligns with Gracious Grounds’ mission of providing supportive housing for vulnerable populations. Lauren has a passion for helping those who may need assistance to advocate for their needs, and she is committed to creating inclusive, compassionate communities.
Steve Engers
Steve joined the Gracious Grounds Board of Directors in 2025. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan with an engineering degree and retired from a career with Consumers Energy Company. He brings technical, managerial and organizational skills to the board. Steve has served on the Gracious Grounds Parents Advisory Committee (PAGG). His motivation for serving on the board comes from his step-daughter who currently lives at Gracious Grounds – Lakeshore Flats.
Katelyn Herrygers
Katelyn S. Herrygers is a speaker, storyteller, and everyday advocate dedicated to reshaping how we think and talk about disability, inclusion, and resilience. As a mother to a child with Down syndrome, she draws from personal experience to empower others to lead with empathy, clarity, and purpose. With a background in strategic marketing and project management, she blends emotional intelligence with practical tools to drive meaningful change and achieve organizational goals.
Matthew Phares
Matt and his family have called the Grand Haven/Spring Lake area home since 2002—a place that holds a special place in their hearts. Growing up in Holland, he’s always felt a deep connection to this community and the many meaningful relationships they’ve developed. He has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from MSU and an MBA from Wayne State University.
With over 20 years of experience in real estate development, his career has been firmly rooted in transforming land into vibrant communities and commercial spaces. He enjoys problem-solving, negotiation, deal-making, data analysis, and overseeing projects from inception to completion thriving on solving challenges, working collaboratively, and building solutions—much like piecing together a complex puzzle.