At Union Bank, we’re proud to work alongside customers whose missions extend beyond day-to-day operations and into meaningful service for others. One of those customers is Serenity Village, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Hastings, Michigan that provides a compassionate, home-like residence for individuals nearing the end of life when care can no longer be provided at home.
A Calling Rooted in Compassion
For Greg Hooson, leading Serenity Village is both professional and deeply personal.
With a background as a counselor, he brings an understanding of what individuals and families experience during life’s most difficult moments. That perspective was shaped not only through his career, but through his own family’s journey.
“When my mother received hospice care near the end of her life, I saw firsthand how meaningful compassionate support can be,” he shared. “The people who walked alongside our family during that time left a lasting impression. When the opportunity to help lead Serenity Village came along, it felt like a way to offer that same sense of care and reassurance to other families.”
A Community That Believed in the Need
The idea for Serenity Village grew out of conversations within the community—families recognizing that there was a gap in care when caregiving at home became overwhelming.
Barry County proved to be the right place for that vision to take shape.
“This community genuinely looks out for one another,” he explained. “Over time, residents, local organizations and businesses all recognized the need for a comfort care home. Serenity Village exists today because the community believed it was something families here truly needed.”
While rooted in Barry County, the organization also serves families from surrounding areas who find themselves in need of this kind of support.
A Different Kind of End-of-Life Care
Serenity Village is a nonprofit compassion home for individuals already enrolled in a licensed hospice program. While hospice services remain in place, Serenity Village provides the environment and daily support that allows families to step back from constant caregiving demands.
Those who stay at the home are referred to as “guests,” not patients.
“One way we think about our role is that while we care for the person staying with us, we’re also caring for the family,” he said. “When exhaustion or burnout sets in, we help with the day-to-day responsibilities so families can focus on what matters most—being present.”
Often, that presence looks like quiet moments: sitting together, talking, sharing memories or simply holding a hand.
“These moments of connection are what stand out,” he shared. “When families realize they can just be there, without carrying everything alone—that’s why Serenity Village matters.”
A Partnership Built on Shared Values
As a nonprofit, Serenity Village relies on support from individuals, foundations and local businesses to continue providing care rooted in comfort and dignity.
As both a customer and a community partner, Serenity Village found alignment with Union Bank’s relationship-driven approach.
“Union Bank stood out because it never felt like just a transaction,” he explained. “They understood the purpose behind our work and what it means for families in the community.”
That support recently included a $1,000 donation, reinforcing a partnership built on trust, encouragement and shared commitment to community well-being.
Banking Where UBelong
At Union Bank, we believe community is more than a location—it’s a relationship. While today’s customers live and move beyond a single ZIP code, belonging shouldn’t depend on where you are. It should depend on who you can count on.
Supporting organizations like Serenity Village reflects that belief. We’re proud to stand alongside customers whose work brings comfort, dignity and care to others—no matter where that care is needed.
We’re honored to support customers who care deeply for others—especially when it matters most.
Union Bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of Union Financial Corporation and operates full-service banking offices in Ada, Dimondale, Grand Rapids, Hastings, Lake Odessa, Mulliken and Westphalia and a loan production office in Portage. Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender. (NMLS# 488568) ubmich.com
Related Articles
2026
2026
2026