Walk Alongside
Build trusted relationships with people experiencing homelessness, addiction, isolation, instability, or other difficult life circumstances.
KALAMAZOO COUNTY • MICHIGAN
Helping people
get well.
We walk alongside people in the midst of their unique stories, build real relationships, connect resources, and create practical pathways toward stability, recovery, purpose, and community.
OUR MISSION
People are more than the hardest chapter of their story.
Get Well Michigan exists to meet people where they are and walk with them toward what comes next. We bring together relationships, practical help, community partners, and meaningful opportunities rather than treating people like problems to be managed.
WHAT WE DO
Connect Resources
Help bridge the gap between people and the churches, organizations, services, businesses, and individuals ready to help.
Create Pathways
Develop practical routes toward stable housing, recovery, meaningful work, skills, community, and long-term independence.
Build Community
Strengthen a network where churches, businesses, nonprofits, volunteers, and neighbors can serve together instead of working in isolation.
WHAT WE’RE BUILDING TOWARD
Imagining a humane reality for the future.
Build homes.
Grow careers.
Create belonging.
Imagine a community where the work of building a home also helps someone build a future. We’re exploring an ecosystem of attainable housing, paid training, local agriculture, and neighbors who show up for one another.
Meaningful work↗Attainable homes↗Lasting community
Build a home.
Learn a trade.
A proposed modular housing enterprise would connect people in recovery and reintegration with paid work, experienced mentors, and careers in construction. Small cottages, family homes, and multifamily designs could serve different households and stages of life.
A place to live.
People to know.
We’d love to partner with churches to explore small intentional communities on their properties, with private homes connected by shared meals, gardens, and dependable relationships. Larger standalone neighborhoods could follow as the model develops.
Grow food.
Grow possibility.
Community gardens and potential small-farm enterprises could offer fresh food, practical skills, paid employment, and new sources of income. Local industrial hemp production is one future possibility to explore with agricultural and processing partners.
Thoughtful materials.
Lasting value.
We’re exploring hempcrete and other natural building approaches, efficient homes, solar, and site-appropriate water systems. Each choice would be tested for performance, approval, and complete cost before becoming part of a housing project.
A vision in development. We’re seeking partners to help test, shape, and build these ideas.
THE VISION
From surviving
to belonging.
A stable home. Work with a future. Someone who knows your name.
These things belong together. Our vision connects housing, livelihoods, and relationships so people can build greater independence without having to do everything alone.
Starting in Kalamazoo County. Growing thoughtfully across Southwest Michigan and beyond.
DIFFERENT NEEDS. MORE POSSIBILITIES.
More than one way home.
We’re exploring housing options that meet people where they are, with room for different households, goals, and support needs.
01Immediate stability+
Safe bridge housing for people in acute need, connected to a clear route toward a lasting home. A Housing First approach offers access to permanent housing without requiring sobriety, treatment completion, or employment first.
02Recovery & reintegration+
Potential partnerships with sober living homes, recovery housing, and halfway houses to connect residents with work, transportation, mentoring, and career development. Recovery-oriented housing is a distinct option for people seeking that environment.
03A lasting place to call home+
Permanent rental homes and attainable ownership opportunities, including modest single-family homes sold to households seeking an affordable place to live. Subsidized homes can be funded with committed ongoing support.
04Community across generations+
Future possibilities include accessible homes for older adults, homes for foster families, and support for young adults leaving foster care. Each would be developed with experienced partners and the appropriate care and housing arrangements.
These housing choices give people different ways to find stability. Everyone can follow a path suited to their needs. Work and community participation should expand people’s choices.
A PERSONAL PATH FORWARD
Personal goals.
Practical steps.
Steady support.
We’re exploring a personalized approach that connects a Life Stability Assessment with a Personal Progress Plan. Together, people and their support team can identify strengths, choose priorities, and map practical steps toward greater stability in housing, work, health, transportation, finances, and relationships.
Regular check-ins can recognize progress, address barriers, and adjust the plan as life changes.
Understand your starting point.
A Life Stability Assessment can help you and your support team recognize strengths, talk through barriers, and identify what matters most to you.
Choose your next steps.
A Personal Progress Plan can turn your priorities into manageable actions, with practical resources and people to help along the way.
Keep moving, together.
Regular conversations can celebrate progress and make room to change direction. Stability can include accommodations, benefits, and ongoing support.
BUILT WITH PARTNERS
Bring what you have.
Help shape what comes next.
Churches & neighbors
Explore land, intentional community, shared meals, mentoring, and relationships that last.
Make room for belonging ↗Builders & employers
Help develop paid training, practical home designs, dependable transportation, and real careers.
Build a pathway ↗Growers & supporters
Bring agricultural experience, materials, professional skills, funding, or a willingness to explore.
Contribute your strengths ↗“Get well” isn't a destination. It's something we do together.
JOIN THE WORK
There is a place for you in this.
We are building partnerships with people, churches, businesses, community organizations, volunteers, donors, and neighbors who believe practical compassion can change lives.
Connect with Get Well Michigan