Calvin's StreetFest Program receives Friends and Champion Award
Annie Mas-Smith and Zach Van Baren were a couple of the representatives from Calvin University who attended The Fountain Hill Center's Holiday Open House on December 9, 2025.
In early September, Zach Van Baren ‘27, a junior studying marketing management and graphic design, and a group of first-year Calvin students spent a few hours serving at Fountain Hill Center. The task was simple: clear away weeds. The goal? To uncover a patio that could be transformed into a future meditation garden.
The project was one of 50 that first-year students worked on during Calvin’s annual StreetFest program, which provides an opportunity for incoming students to get to know the needs of the city through the lens of the organizations with which they are serving.
But this particular project at Fountain Hill Center not only uncovered a future patio, it revealed the impact small and consistent efforts can have over time.
On December 9, 2025, Van Baren and the StreetFest program were honored during Fountain Hill Center’s Holiday Open House with the Friends and Champion Award—an award that recognizes individuals and organizations who go above and beyond in supporting the center’s mission to provide accessible, compassionate, and community-centered mental care.
“I think receiving an award like this is a great reminder for our students that the impact that even a half day of work can have long term for an organization is significant,” said Annie Mas-Smith, director of Calvin’s service-learning center.
“We get to take care of some of the things organizations don’t have the time to attend to, so they can stay focused on their missions,” said Van Baren.
And while Van Baren and the team of students he led completed the task they were assigned, they also caught the vision for the community partner, exceeded expectations, and they now have the organization aiming to open the new meditation garden in 2026.
“This space will allow our clients to take a few minutes before or after their session to be in kind of a healing space,” said Amy Van Gunst, executive coordinator of the center and a licensed therapist. “The students did a ton of work this fall getting the ground ready for that and I’m guessing they’ll help bring that vision to fruition next year.”
“StreetFest has been a special program for us—bringing Calvin University students into the community and creating lasting connections through service. Each year, we are deeply encouraged by the energy, generosity, and commitment of StreetFest participants, and this year was no exception,” said Sara Binkley, advancement coordinator for Fountain Hill Center. “What could have felt like a daunting task, the team transformed into a joyful and purposeful effort—creating a space that will serve our clients and community for years to come.”
