Since 2005, we have invested in neighbor-to-neighbor community care
THE BEGINNING
2005-2018
BUILDING A COMMUNITY
In 2005, 3Sixty’s founding director, Brian Wolthuis, and his neighbor, Jon Myers, came together to connect neighbors in the community. Both licensed builders, Wolthuis and Myers used donated materials to organize several neighbor-led initiatives.
MAKING IT OFFICIAL
From these relationships, the 3Sixty community emerged to continue identifying and addressing broader neighborhood needs. In 2009, 3Sixty became an official non-profit organization.
PARTNERING LOCALLY
3Sixty’s work expanded to include partnerships with area churches, social service agencies, and the City of Holland to address pressing neighborhood issues like affordable housing and public safety.
INVESTING IN PEOPLE
Over the years, 3Sixty has worked with many gifted, hardworking volunteers who have shared the vision for neighborhood connection. These volunteers and staff opened the Tool Library, started 8th Day Farms, and began regular neighborhood-wide spring & fall clean-ups.
GROWING & EXPANDING
2018-2022
LEADING FORWARD
In 2018, 3Sixty hired on Jake Norris as the new Director of 3Sixty, working to continue building partnerships across Holland, organize neighborhood connections, and run the growing operations out of the newly remodeled Midtown Hub.
ADVOCACY TEAM
In 2020, the Eastcore Neighborhood Advocacy Team was formalized, leading the way and stabilizing a plan for long-term community development and care.
CITY SHAPERS
In 2021, the Lupton Center selected 3Sixty as the 3rd City Catalyst in the country to launch a City Shapers Cohort in Holland, a 2-year program to equip local businesses, nonprofits, churches, and our Neighborhood Advocacy Team with the tools and know-how to produce sustainable change.
MONTELLO PARK
In 2022, 3Sixty branched out beyond the borders of Eastcore, and headed west—to the vibrant and diverse neighborhood of Montello Park. In partnership with four congregations and local residents, we are building stronger neighborhood connections on the westside!
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Place matters.
While many existing efforts to alleviate poverty and related social problems have focused on people or policy, recent research points to the importance of place, specifically neighborhoods, in creating lasting change. Outcomes like educational attainment and life expectancy are closely related to the neighborhoods where we grew up and those where we currently reside. In other words, place matters.
Neighbors First.
Too often nonprofits and charities focus on what our communities lack, and have overlooked what we already possess. 3Sixty believes that all residents have dignity regardless of their socioeconomic status and have something to contribute to their neighborhood’s well-being. We also believe that, together, these strengths can be leveraged to shape a neighborhood’s future.
Whole Communities.
Instead of working in silos, holistic community development prioritizes projects and initiatives that support the social, structural, and economic vitality of a community simultaneously, ensuring that neighborhood growth is led by neighbors, for neighbors, especially those on the margins.
Thriving Cities.
Our vision is that a thriving city would be possible because of resident leaders who self organize to address neighborhood needs and enhance the quality of life from the ground up. As neighborhoods improve, the overall quality of life for the city improves, producing a thriving city.
MISSION
Using holistic community development programming, 3Sixty prioritizes the voices of actual neighbors, so that all can benefit from community growth. Through place-based leadership trainings, neighborhood health assessments, and strategic development projects, we connect, equip, and mobilize community partners for neighbor-led transformation.
VISION
As a result of these efforts, a thriving city is possible: one made up of flourishing neighborhoods where all neighbors – including the most vulnerable - are empowered and connected to each other, and to a strong sense of place.
VALUES
NEIGHBOR-LED
We build on the hopes and strengths of neighbors who care enough to act together and are willing to build trusting relationships.
DATA-DRIVEN
We use qualitative and quantitative research to inform, guide, and hold our work accountable.
PLACE-BASED
We exist to improve the lives of residents, households and the health and wholeness of our neighborhoods.
It all starts with residents who care.
We invest in our neighbors, recognizing that they are the real change agents for a thriving city. 3Sixty provides the infrastructure needed to help active neighbors self organize and drive transformation in their community.
