Jennifer Evans, executive director of the nonprofit
Out On the Lakeshore, understands the growing mental health needs of Allegan County’s LGBTQIA+ community.
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Courtesy Jennifer EvansJennifer Evans
“That money will be earmarked for our outreach wellness initiative, and that's where we're getting mental health help to the people who need it when they need it,” Evans says of the $5,000 grant her organization received through the Allegan County Community Foundation’s second annual Pride Fund cycle. The money is part of $28,500 that the fund distributed this year to seven local organizations.
While the initiative won’t officially launch until later this summer, Evans says the team is preparing to offer services such as affirming therapy, art and animal-assisted wellness workshops, and group sessions.
Her team plans to collaborate with local therapists to make free, trauma-informed mental health care available, especially for youth and transgender individuals.
The program won’t be actively promoted during Saturday’s
Holland PRIDE Festival at Kollen Park in Holland.
“We're going to do a soft launch,” Evans says. “I really like to make sure that things walk before they run.” Still, festivalgoers will find a strong presence from Out On the Lakeshore and its programs, including Reading the Rainbow, Game Night, Gender Safe, and Age with Pride. More than 110 booths will offer merchandise, resources, and community connections.
Mental health care vital
Evans, who took the helm earlier this year, says the need for accessible mental health support is widespread.
“I think it's beyond the political climate. I think life is hard, and people need someone to talk to,” she says.
The Pride Fund, created two years ago, is managed by the Allegan County Community Foundation (ACCF). Its mission is to increase visibility and allyship, foster multigenerational support, and expand access to vital resources for LGBTQIA+ individuals and families.
Laura Feffer, principal of L.E. White Middle School, is a member of the Pride Fund Committee.
“We evaluated each proposal based on capacity to serve, not size alone, allowing both large and small organizations to demonstrate their value,” Feffer says.
This year’s grantees include a mix of established nonprofits and grassroots efforts:
- Arbor Circle Corporation ($3,000): Expanding LGBTQIA+ school outreach in Plainwell Community Schools with tailored mental health support.
- Community Action House ($3,000): Implementing inclusive leadership strategies to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across programs.
- Community Pride MI ($5,000): Hosting a series of Pride Week 2025 events to celebrate LGBTQIA+ identities and foster community.
- Out On the Lakeshore ($5,000): Launching the OUTReach Wellness Initiative to offer free mental health services, therapy workshops, and peer support.
- Allegan Speak Up! ($8,000): Organizing the fourth annual Allegan Out Loud! celebration at Riverfront Plaza with food trucks, music, and family-friendly activities.
- Red Horse Center for Collaborative Leadership ($2,500): Providing no-cost community wellness sessions, allyship training, and trauma-informed care education.
- United Church of Wayland ($2,000): Expanding its new Affirming, Limitless, Love (ALL) program with monthly gatherings focused on connection and belonging.
Community has many needs
The range of applications reflects the community’s evolving needs and the desire for inclusive spaces and support systems.
“There are many service gaps in Allegan County,” Feffer says. “We go back to our mission and work to fund as many organizations as we can.”
She adds that participating on the committee offered a broader view of the work happening across the county.
“It’s eye-opening to see the breadth of work, from making inclusive books available in libraries to creating events that bring all ages together,” Feffer says. “These efforts help people feel seen and valued.”
In the short term, the funded programs offer access to safe spaces, mental health support, and community events. Long-term, Feffer says the goal is to build a foundation where LGBTQIA+ individuals and families in Allegan County can thrive.
“I believe that the very existence of the Pride Grant is its own statement of support to our community,” she says.
Evans shares that vision and invites everyone to attend Saturday’s celebration.
“I hope that you come out,” she says. “The main thing is love in, love out. All are welcome.”
Building connection
When Bill Baillargeon first visited Allegan County in the 1980s, he never imagined he’d one day become a key supporter of a fund that uplifts and supports the LGBTQIA+ community.
What started as weekend getaways turned into something much deeper: a decision to settle down, build connections, and give back to the place he now calls home.
In 2004, Baillargeon moved to Saugatuck full-time, purchasing a fixer-upper and becoming part of the community. “It’s really easy to feel connected in Saugatuck,” he says.
“Many people reached out to make me feel welcome, especially Bill Galligan, a community-minded man who had a gift for making others feel seen and valued.” Galligan’s example left a lasting impression. Even years after his passing, Baillargeon and others continue to gather weekly to remember him.
That spirit of connection inspired Baillargeon and his husband, Brent, to become founding donors of the Allegan County Community Foundation’s Pride Fund. They joined forces with other donors who share a desire to make their community more welcoming and inclusive, particularly toward those in less visible or supported groups.
“At a time when so many are feeling fearful or unseen, we wanted to help bring some light and hope,” Baillargeon says. “We didn’t want to just sit back and worry – we wanted to take action.”
Since its inception, the Pride Fund has backed a variety of efforts, from mental health programs to youth support groups. One story stands out for Baillargeon: a man who learned that members of a Gay-Straight Alliance at a local school had to give up their lunch breaks to meet. Quietly, he arranged for sandwiches from a local restaurant to be delivered for every meeting.
“To me, that’s what this is about,” Baillargeon says. “One small gesture can lead to others. Like a pebble dropped in a pond, the ripples can reach people we may never meet.”
Baillargeon is also encouraged to see the fund’s impact reaching beyond Saugatuck and Douglas. The Allegan Pride celebration, set for Aug. 2, has grown each year, even in the face of vocal opposition. The event has become a place where LGBTQIA+ residents from rural areas can gather and feel supported.
“The Pride Fund sends a message,” Baillargeon says. “It tells people they matter. That they’re seen, included, and respected. And that can make a real difference.”
More information about the Allegan County Pride Fund is available at
alleganfoundation.org.