Grace Christian University

As recent graduate Gerard Oray shares about his late mother, Tawanda Williams, his eyes brighten and a sense of pride fills his words. Williams passed away due to breast cancer in 2018 after previously beating the disease a few years earlier, in 2015. She was a woman of great character, determination, and with a heart for others and her stories live on through her son, as does her service to the community. Oray is thankful for the person she was to those around her and for the mother she was to him. He now lives every day to honor her as he looks to serve young people God places in his path. Graduating from Grace Christian University with a degree in Business this spring was another step in following in his mother's footsteps. "Mom always worked with kids in her community through the schools or the local church. She worked with the local Boys and Girls Club chapter and also worked for Project Lift as she was always looking to impact the younger generation coming up." Williams set a foundation for her son by first earning a degree in Business, and using that knowledge to strengthen communities. "My goal is to continue my mom's legacy as I hope to one day operate and lead a Boys and Girls Club," Oray shared. With the Boys and Girls Club as the long-term plan, Gerard is already continuing his mom's good work by leaning into the youth in his community. The amount of young people Gerard Oray has worked with in the past few years is impressive. Whether it was coaching middle school basketball at Calvin Christian School, serving as a recess monitor at Grandville Christian Elementary or coaching at Grand River Preparatory Academy, it is obvious Oray loves the younger generation. Most recently "Coach G" was asked to assist the Grand Rapids Union Varsity Basketball team as they finished their season. Oray continues to encourage and develop young people through mentoring and investing his time, modeling success and the promise that they can follow their dreams. "Coach G" has accepted a position through the West Michigan Drive AAU basketball team, where he will be coaching 15 and 16 year olds. He is excited to have student athletes on his team from Grand Rapids Union, Ottawa Hills, Kentwood, Forest Hills Northern as well as athletes from the homeschool community. His efforts to bring these athletes together comes with intention. "I am passionate about building a special team made up of athletes from many different cultures" he shares. "Our team will be prepared for the real world through the process of winning and losing with one another." Built earlier this spring, the team has already been holding practices and Oray sees their promise. "It has been great to see them accept each other as they are willing to hold one another to high standards of conduct - on and off the court. This is going to be a special group." While he is no stranger to hardships he knows there are lessons learned that are to be shared with others. "The hard things I have gone through will help me to walk alongside my students as we do life together. My mother led by example and it is important for me to lead openly as well," he shared as he spoke of his opportunity to lean into the next generation. "My goal is always to instill confidence, create accountability, and to build respect and integrity." The future is bright for Gerard Oray, and those he is leading, as he continues to guide youth with the love and commitment learned from his mother. He lives out her goal regularly as he builds character and determination in his service to those following his lead. Our world is better because of graduates like Gerard Oray. While there are many, many community members who are thankful for his heart and efforts, it is the joy his mother most certainly feels while watching from above that Oray seeks daily.

Savanah Pfaff, daughter of Frank and Andrea Pfaff, has always known a profession in counseling was in her future. Uncertain of the field in which she would specialize, Pfaff explored various areas throughout her studies. Abnormal Psychology, Counseling Seminar, and similar coursework offered by Dr. Scott Shaw, allowed her to delve into new and unique areas of Counseling as a career. Pfaff came to Grace Christian with the support of her family. "My family has always been very supportive of me attending a Christian university to receive a Psychology degree with a Christian worldview." Physiological Psychology, taught by Professor Dawn Rogers-Defauw, brought to light the extreme need of Grief Therapy. Over time Pfaff saw senior students volunteer and intern for a local non-profit named "Starlight Ministries." Located in Hudsonville, Starlight's mission is to be a place "where hope outshines grief." Combining her coursework, mentorship from professors, and opportunities provided by Starlight Ministries, Pfaff's states "it was meant to be". Her time walking with those who are grieving the loss of loved ones to suicide has given Pfaff "a passion to walk with those who are grieving the loss of a loved one and this is a path I definitely feel called to." "At Starlight Ministries, we really try to talk about death in a straight forward but loving way, to assist people in navigating through their feelings and emotions within group settings" stated Pfaff. This free service offered to people of all ages has a yearly budget built upon fundraised dollars. Currently, Pfaff is working with grief groups ages Pre K- Third grade, but is developing a young adult support group for ages 18-25 with the hopes of groups starting in 2022. Director of Programming for Starlight Ministries, Stephanie Hogan, shared "Starlight Ministries has been blessed to have Savanah as an intern these past several months. Savanah is passionate about helping people and has a heart for shining God's hope into the lives of hurting people. She is a hard worker, go getter, and never shies away from a new experience even when it feels daunting. Savanah has been a true joy to work with!" Every support group is permeated with the Bible, "To see the change in people as they come to a place where they are understood is so powerful. We are able to listen and present the hope of God and the eternal life that is given to each of us." Joyful moments for Pfaff come in seeing healing begin, "This one little girl came to our group but was very quiet at first. After about six weeks she started to open up and eventually became the ringleader of the group, helping others to feel comfortable. She knew she was not alone in her grief and has now taken on a leadership role where she is helping others just like her. I went to help people but whenever I serve someone they actually help me to learn just as much, if not more, about the value of our stories and how we navigate feelings. Helping children work through their grief while learning about the Bible has been so enlightening and refreshing. My hope is that the work God has called me to do will rub off on the kids I walk alongside, so that they may grow up and serve others as well." Savanah Pfaff will graduate next month with a Bachelors in Psychology with a hope to work toward graduate studies soon after. Ms. Pfaff is finishing her internship by "leading through developing programs of grief support, while fulfilling one on one support as well." Always reflective of her time at Grace Christian University, Pfaff states that a goal is to "bring more grief support programs back to Grace Christian one day after I graduate." After her time here, Pfaff will seek full-time roles as a Children's Grief Counselor. Grace Christian University wishes Savanah Pfaff great success in her future as she finishes her degree this spring and launches into the world prepared to serve Christ in church and society. To learn more about Human Services offerings, visit On Campus School of Human Services or Online School of Human Services.

When Merly Velasquez-Ortis shows up for her internship, she never knows the array of questions she will find upon answering the phone. Yet she does so with compassion for her community members in distress, and is grateful for the honor of navigating challenges with them. Daughter of Abelina Ortiz and Eliseo Velasquez, Merly is fulfilling an internship with the Grand Rapids Police Department as a student with Junior standing at Grace Christian University, located in Wyoming, MI. Merly is not only the sole daughter of five children in her family, she is also the only family member in law enforcement. "We do everything together as a family and they are very supportive of my chosen profession," Velasquez-Ortiz stated when asked about their feelings. An open mind and willing heart drove Velasquez-Ortiz to pursue a career in law enforcement. "During and after high school, nothing seemed to fit for my future until I took Introduction to Criminal Justice at Grace Christian University. In that class I found out about the internship with the Grand Rapids Police Department and the path that can be offered through their program. I was hooked after that," said Velasquez-Ortiz. Merly is able to serve as an intern with GRPD, located in Grand Rapids, and as a team member who answers non-emergency calls for the department. Her tasks also include taking larceny reports from the public and updating the sex offender registry, among other tasks. When asked about what fills her with joy from this internship, she knew just how to answer, "I think being bilingual has really opened up opportunities to assist detectives by serving as an in-house translator for them as we serve people that come to us. I was honored to be able to be the actual voice for a shooting victim who was sharing the story of what happened as I translated for him. Being able to connect with him in the moment was special and will shape my future in the field of police work." When asked about her future in this profession, Merly Velasquez-Ortis was excited to share her goal of a Graduate degree in Criminal Justice. She is exploring the Grand Rapids Police Department sponsorship program, which contributes funds for the Police Academy and further training. While enrolled at Grace Christian University Merly continues to grow academically and spiritually, while pursuing the many career opportunities available to her. The School of Social Sciences and Human Services at Grace Christian University, led by Dr. Scott Shaw, Phd., D. Min provides a variety of degree options rooted in a biblical core. On Campus or 100% Online programs allow students like Merly to seek and pursue their calling in a format convenient for their life.