Mentor Bio: Colton & Paige
Colton and Paige are entering their second year of mentorship in the Koinonia House. What drew them to serving in the program was the ability to walk alongside students in such a transformative time of their lives and encourage them to keep a healthy perspective and strive to glorify God along the way. "Already in our first year of living as mentors in Project Neighborhood, we have felt God's hand on this program and on everyone's life as we seek to live how the early Church lived. It is such a unique program to live with others in such a candid environment, that growth is inevitable." Graduating from app with Kinesiology and Psychology degrees in 2017, Colton currently works as an Admissions Counselor and Head Baseball Coach at Grace Christian University, and Paige works as a Social Worker with Cancer and Hematology Centers of West Michigan. Hobbies of theirs include playing board games, being outdoors, and visiting local eateries.
What's unique about the house?
Koinonia is the Greek word for “fellowship.” Koinonia became app's very first Project Neighborhood house in 1998 and is the largest of all the PN houses with up to nine students plus a mentor family. From the wood paneled attic (which once served as a ballroom) to the finished basement, there are plenty of places to study or hang out with friends. The house also has two desktop computers, a video projector in the basement (for excellent movie watching nights!) and a piano in the living room. Because of its size, it is very easy to host friends and family members overnight.
The house is located 3.6 miles west of app's campus in Eastown. The 20-minute ride bus route picks up and drops off in front of the house. Or it is an easy 20-minute bike ride.
What's interesting about your neighborhood?
If you walk up Lake Drive or down it, you will find some of Grand Rapids finest restaurants, breweries, indie bookstores and shops. It is a lot of fun to sit on the huge porch on warm evenings as there are always lots of people out and about.
The neighbors love having the Koinonia house and meeting the new students that move in each year. The house hosts pancake breakfasts and always participates in the yearly block party.
What partnership opportunities exist in your neighborhood?
Koinonia is not partnered with a specific church like some of the other PN houses. Students who live in Koinonia are expected to serve at one of the many non-profits in the Eastown neighborhood or on nearby Cherry Street. These include West Michigan Environmental Action Council, Inner City Christian Federation, The Institute for Global Education, Wealthy Street Theatre, Eastown Community Association, Treetops Collective, and The Grand Rapids Pride Center among others.
