Jon Hausserman has committed his life to bettering the lives of others. For the past 25 years, he has been a philanthropic entrepreneur, volunteering full-time with Youth With a Mission (YWAM) and Mercy Ships, raising his own funds to support his work. Through his service, Hausserman has provided medical care on ships and at land-based clinics, and has participated in community development projects in Belize, Columbia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, and Nicaragua. He has handled in-country logistics and worked with local leaders and businesses, supported homeless outreach programs, built latrines, provided care for low-income older adults, volunteered with orphanages, and assisted at rehabilitation centers.

Hausserman served as a relief coordinator in Mississippi and Louisiana after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and volunteers in his southern California community through Project Care. With Project Care, Hausserman provides plumbing and basic electrical work, painting, help with yard work, and companionship to older adults in his area who have low incomes and limited mobility. Ultimately, the cornerstone of Hausserman’s success has been his service to communities throughout the world. People who know him say that his biggest impact has been the relief of suffering here in the U.S. and around the globe.

As a youth, Hausserman was a member of Ionia County’s Creative Clover 4-H Club. He enjoyed the Folkpatterns, arts and crafts, and gardening projects, and the county 4-H softball league. Today, Hausserman continues to volunteer with the popular 4-H Exploration Days event.