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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.

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 Resilient, People-First Hudsonville:
Community-Focused. Environmentally Responsible.

Hudsonville’s 2025 Community Master Plan lays out a clear and hopeful vision: a walkable, well-connected city that supports sustainable growth, protects our natural resources, and enhances the quality of life for all residents. I fully support these goals—and I believe we must take bold, inclusive action to turn them into reality.

As a nonprofit leader, parent, and longtime community advocate, I’ve worked directly with families affected by outdated infrastructure, rising costs, and a lack of accessible public spaces. I know what it looks like when systems leave people behind—and I’m committed to ensuring that Hudsonville’s future works for everyone.

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Infrastructure That Reflects Our Values and Serves Our Future

  • Advance Walkable, Connected Neighborhoods

    • The Master Plan calls for a more walkable Hudsonville—and I’m ready to deliver. I will prioritize sidewalk expansion, bike lanes, safe crossings, and traffic-calming measures so residents can move around safely, regardless of age or ability.​

  •  Put Equity at the Center of Growth​

    • As we implement the Master Plan, we must ensure that all parts of Hudsonville—regardless of income, background, or geography—benefit from city improvements. I will champion equitable investment in infrastructure across every neighborhood, including those historically overlooked in Ward 1.​

  • Support Mixed-Use, Community-Centered Development​

    • The plan envisions a more vibrant, mixed-use city core—and I support development that includes walkable commercial areas, attainable housing, green space, and access to essential services. I’ll advocate for development that serves real community needs, not just market trends.​

  • Integrate Green Infrastructure into Projects​

    • From rain gardens to tree-lined streets to permeable pavement, we must invest in infrastructure that works with the environment—not against it. I will advocate for nature-based solutions that reduce flooding, improve water quality, and beautify our neighborhoods.​

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The 2025 Community Master Plan gives us a roadmap—but it’s up to us to bring it to life. That means putting people first, listening to every neighborhood, and making sustainability a standard—not a side goal.Together, we can create a Hudsonville that’s more connected, more resilient, and more reflective of the values we share.

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