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PLATFORM
Community Focused, People First 

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I’m running for office because I believe leadership should be rooted in lived experience, driven by equity, and accountable to the people it serves. As a nonprofit leader, mother, and survivor, I’ve spent my career fighting for families, advocating for justice, and building systems that care for people—not just serve policy.

My platform is centered on real solutions for Hudsonville’s future—solutions that are inclusive, sustainable, and built from the ground up.

LIST OF ISSUES
Community Engagement & Transparency:
Government should work with the people—
Not behind closed doors.

For too long, decisions that affect our lives—our schools, our neighborhoods, our housing, our safety—have been made without real input from the people who live those realities every day. That needs to change.As a nonprofit leader, mother, and community advocate, I’ve spent my career listening to people, building trust, and turning that input into action. I believe the same must be true in public office. We deserve leaders who not only show up—but stay present, listen deeply, and lead WITH the community, not just for IT.

Here’s How I’ll Lead with Transparency & Accountability

  • Open-Door Leadership

    • I will hold regular community listening sessions—both in-person and virtually—so residents can share concerns, ideas, and lived experiences that guide my decisions. You shouldn’t need connections or credentials to be heard.

  • Accessible Communication​

    • Government information should be easy to access and understand. I will advocate for plain-language communications and ensure meeting updates, policy proposals, and public decisions are shared in real time through multiple platforms so ALL Ward 1 citizens are able to be informed.​

  • Participatory Decision-Making

    • I will push for participatory budgeting tools and community advisory boards—especially for issues like public safety, housing,infrastructure enhancement, and youth engagement—so residents have a direct voice in how resources are spent and priorities are set.​

  • ​Transparent Reporting​

    • I will publish regular updates and performance reports on key issues—like housing development, community safety, and local spending—so residents can track progress and hold me accountable.​

  • Centering Citizen Voices

    • I will ensure that citizens are invited into policy conversations, not after decisions are made—but before they even begin.​

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Transparency is not a buzzword. It’s a commitment to honesty, humility, and shared power. I believe that when we invite people into the process—not just the outcome—we get better policy, stronger communities, and leadership that truly reflects the people it serves.Together, we can rebuild trust in local leadership—by making it open, honest, and rooted in real community connection.

Public Safety & Mental Health Support:
In Hudsonville, safety should mean care, compassion, and accountability—for everyone.

Hudsonville is known for its close-knit neighborhoods and small-town values—but like every community, we face real challenges. As our city grows, so do the pressures on our public safety and mental health systems. Rising mental health needs, domestic violence, and the lasting impacts of trauma can’t be solved by outdated systems alone—they require new approaches rooted in prevention, healing, and community trust.As a survivor of both gun violence and domestic violence, and someone who has worked directly with families in crisis here in West Michigan, I understand both the urgency and the opportunity we have to create a safer Hudsonville for all of us.

My Vision for Hudsonville: Safety Through Support

  • Strengthen Mental Health Resources Locally

    • Mental health services are often out of reach for too many families in our area. I will advocate for local investment in mobile crisis units and community partnerships that bring trauma-informed care directly to where people live and learn.​

  • Support Survivors & Prevent Violence​

    • In Ottawa County, domestic violence and sexual assault remain under-addressed. I will champion expanded funding for shelters, legal support, housing access, and culturally competent services—so survivors aren’t just protected, they’re empowered. As a local leader and advocate, I’ll also work to ensure prevention education reaches every corner of our community.​

  • Expand Non-Police Crisis Response Options

    • Our law enforcement officers do important work, but they shouldn’t be the only ones responding to mental health or nonviolent crises. I’ll advocate for co-responder models that include social workers and mental health professionals—especially for youth and those in emotional distress.​

  • Build Community Centered Safety Strategies​

    • I believe safety starts with strong relationships. That means listening to residents, elevating youth voices, and building public safety strategies alongside the people most affected. I’ll support regular community safety forums, increased transparency in budgeting, and accessible reporting on safety outcomes.​

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Public safety is not one-size-fits-all. For Hudsonville, it means ensuring our systems care for our neighbors in crisis, protect survivors, and prevent harm before it happens. It means addressing mental health with the same seriousness as any other emergency—and making sure every person, in every part of our city, feels seen, supported, and safe. As someone who has lived through the gaps in these systems, I’m not just running to lead—I’m running to listen, to serve, and to build solutions that reflect the heart of this community.

Affordable & Attainable Housing:
Safe, stable, and affordable housing is not a luxury—
It’s a basic human right.

Hudsonville is a growing community, but too many families, young professionals, and seniors are being priced out. With home prices rising sharply—especially for smaller households—and limited affordable rental and ownership options, our neighbors are being forced to make impossible choices between housing, healthcare, childcare, and food.As someone who has worked directly with families facing housing instability, I know the impact this crisis has on every aspect of life—especially for those already struggling due to systemic inequities, trauma, or displacement.

Here's How We Can Do Better:

  • Support Missing Middle and Affordable Housing Development

    • We must actively support the creation of housing that meets the needs of middle-income and working-class residents. This includes townhomes, duplexes, and smaller-scale rental options. I support initiatives like The Landings project—and want to expand similar models with strong community input.

  • Partner with Local Nonprofits & Housing Advocates

    • Groups like Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity and Housing Kent are doing vital work. I will work to strengthen public-private partnerships that empower these organizations to build and maintain truly affordable housing and prioritize equitable access—especially for Black, Latinx, and low-income families disproportionately affected by housing discrimination.

  • Advocate for Zoning Reform and Housing Policy Updates

    • We must modernize zoning laws to allow for more flexible, mixed-income housing options. I will advocate for inclusionary zoning, streamlined permitting for affordable housing, and the removal of unnecessary regulatory barriers that delay development or favor large-scale, high-cost construction.

  • Protect Tenants and Prevent Homelessness

    • We need stronger tenant protections, eviction diversion programs, and access to emergency rental assistance for those facing housing insecurity. I will support local countywide initiatives that stabilize families before they’re forced into crisis.

  • Center Lived Experience in Policy Decisions

    • I believe policies work best when shaped by the people most affected. As a survivor and advocate who has worked in housing navigation and direct service, I’ll ensure that community voices—especially those of low-income families, survivors, and seniors—are at the table when decisions are made.

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Addressing housing is about more than just buildings—it’s about belonging, stability, and justice. Together, we can build a Hudsonville where everyone—whether you're raising a family, aging in place, or just starting out—has a place to call home.

Building a Hudsonville That
Works for Familes:
Stronger Families. Stronger Communities.

 Hudsonville’s  families are the backbone of our community—and they deserve a city that supports their well-being, growth, and stability. But too many families are stretched thin by rising costs, limited child care, and the daily challenge of balancing work and home life. As a mother  and nonprofit leader who works with local families , I understand these pressures firsthand—and I’m committed to building a Hudsonville where families don’t just survive, but truly thrive.

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My Vision for Hudsonville: Families First, Always

  • Expand Access to Affordable, Quality Child Care

    • Affordable child care is essential for parents to work and children to succeed. I will champion partnerships with local providers and pursue funding opportunities to increase affordable, high-quality child care options—so every family can find care they trust close to home.

  •  Support Family-Friendly Workplace Policies

    •  Families need flexibility to manage the demands of work and home. I will advocate for local employers to adopt family-friendly policies like paid leave, flexible schedules, and remote work options, helping parents stay employed and present with their children.

  • Improve Transportation and Infrastructure for Working Families

    • Getting to work, school, and child care shouldn’t be a daily struggle. I will support investments in safe, reliable transportation options and infrastructure improvements that make commuting easier and safer for families throughout Ward 1 and the city of Hudsonville.

  • Increase Economic Opportunity for All Families

    • Living wages, job training, and career development matter. I will promote workforce development programs, small business support, and equitable hiring practices that help families build financial stability and economic mobility.

  • Create Stronger Support Networks for Parents​

    •  Parenting can be isolating and overwhelming. I will work to build community resources—such as parenting groups, mental health supports, and family resource centers—that connect families to the help, education, and peer networks they need to flourish.​

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 Support for families is about more than policies—it’s about honoring the daily strength and resilience of Hudsonville’s parents, caregivers, and neighbors. Together, we can build a community where every family feels supported, empowered, and celebrated at every stage of their journey. I’m running to listen, to lead, and to ensure that Hudsonville is a place where all families can thrive.

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