Financial Advisor Tom Blower Builds a Solid Foundation for Coral Reef

While Connie Lettinga is the founder of Coral Reef, Tom Blower is its backbone. A financial advisor by trade, Tom has been a friend and collaborator of Connie’s for almost 10 years. Tom is a big proponent of Connie’s mission, and describes her as a quiet, down-to-earth person who consistently advocates for so many people and strives to make a big difference in the Grand Rapids community. 

A Labor of Love

Over the years, Tom and Connie have collaborated on many projects, so it’s no surprise that Connie pitched the idea of Coral Reef to Tom about eight years ago. Tom was immediately excited and for the past five years has worked hand-in-hand with Connie to turn it into a reality. “It’s been a labor of love,” he says. He serves as the Coral Reef treasurer and secretary to keep things organized and finances in check.

Shared Dreams and Goals

Like any new endeavor, Coral Reef has already seen its share of challenges. But Connie and Tom have been relentless in their pursuit to make it work and make a true difference in the lives of adults with special needs. “No matter what obstacles we’ve faced, we’ve continued to push the project forward,” explains Tom. When asked about his vision for Coral Reef in 20 years, Tom said he wanted a “full reef,” complete with 28 residents who are proudly living independently and optimistic about their future. 

Focus on the Mission

Tom also hopes that his financial background will ensure Coral Reef always has the finances to prioritize its residents best interests. “I want Coral Reef to be fully funded so we can focus on the mission,” explains Tom. 

Through their intentional land purchase and financial strategy, Tom and Connie are confident they’ll be able to build a welcoming, safe and inspiring community. “We want Coral Reef to be a home, not just a place for people to lay their heads,” says Tom. 

Before Coral Reef, Tom didn’t have a full picture of the challenges people with special needs face. Through his relationship with Connie and work on the project, he’s learned that many people with special needs simply want to be seen, and to take advantage of equal opportunities to flourish. Tom truly believes that Coral Reef will allow them to do just that. “Coral Reef can provide peace of mind for families and a jump off point for young adults to really live their best lives,” he says.

Learn More About Coral Reef

For more information on what Connie and Tom have created, visit liveatcoralreef.com. You’ll find project updates and details on what you can expect with our unique independent living facility for adults with special needs.