Karen Buie’s Faith-Led Missions to Restore Dignity & Opportunity

For many people, a birth certificate is something they rarely think about. For others, it’s the key to housing, employment, education, and identity itself.

Karen Buie, Muskegon County Clerk, saw that gap clearly — and helped close it.

For nearly three years, Karen and her office have partnered with the Resource Center to provide free, on-demand birth certificates to individuals who need them most. Once a month, she comes onsite, offering a service that removes barriers many people don’t realize exist.

PEOPLE DON’T HAVE THE RESOURCES. THEY DON’T HAVE TRANSPORTATION TO COME TO US. AND THEY DON’T HAVE PERMANENT RESIDENCY FOR US TO MAIL IT TO THEM.” 

Without a birth certificate, people can’t obtain an ID, secure housing, enroll children in school, or even apply for a job. What feels simple to most becomes impossible for those experiencing instability.

Using new technology that allows off-site access to vital records, Karen’s team can issue birth certificates within minutes, eliminating cost, wait times, and logistical hurdles.

“It seems easy to the regular citizen, you know, just go down and get it. But it’s not that easy for the population that we love to deal with.”

Each month, 15–20 people are served, often more, as many need records for their children, too. But the impact goes far beyond paperwork. Karen describes the work as deeply personal and faith-led.

“Every time we leave here, I have a different experience that shows me that God is really directed in this. I know this was a God idea.”

She’s seen lives shift because of access, a veteran able to secure housing, a mother reclaiming her profession, individuals finding hope through something as simple as being seen and helped.

“I see it as a ministry myself.”

This partnership doesn’t just restore documents, it restores dignity, opportunity, and a path forward.

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