DROP-IN SELF-HELP CENTER

For our Consumers: Each individual will be empowered to achieve their highest level of recovery and optimal quality of life.\n\nFor our Organization: Foster innovative and sustainable approaches to streamline a network of support systems that bridges the gap between individuals, recovery, and peer services.\n\nFor our Community: Help create a community where all individuals are treated with respect, dignity, and are fully included in all aspects of social life.

The SHARE Center sees people who are at various places in their process of recovery from poor mental health and homelessness. Our strategy is to 1) make sure basic needs are being met. We offer meals, hygiene supplies, a safe and supportive environment, clothing, blankets, and other basic necessities. 2) Identify and address barriers. These include transportation, lack of ID, and unresolved issues with mental health and addiction. 3) Work towards stabilizing income and housing. Our Employment and Benefits Coach, Certified Peer Supports, and Recovery Coaches work with hard-to-employ individuals to find appropriate employment and/or navigate the system of benefits. We have a Street Outreach Team that works towards ensuring we are making every effort to reach out to various people and communities regardless of race, ethnicity, income, employment, sexual orientation, gender identity, abilities, or any other demographics.

As a drop-in facility, we are required to have 100% of our staff and board be current consumers of mental health services. Many of our staff members are former consumers of the SHARE Center. This allows us to have a unique perspective that ensures we are creating a non-judgmental, supportive, empathy-based environment. We have a dedicated staff that is trained in Mental Health CPR, CPR, trauma, de-escalation techniques, overdose assistance, and equity, diversity, and inclusion. \n\nWe also participate and lead several community collaborative efforts including the Homeless Coalition of Calhoun County, Hunger-Free Calhoun, the statewide ID Task Force, and the Housing Solutions Board. The gives us a perspective that allows us to identify and solve problems on a systemic level. \n\nFinally, the SHARE Center is an active member of the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness. Each year, we participate in their annual Legislative Action Day where we engage with our elected officials to educate them on important issues that impact our consumers.

The SHARE Center is a small organization with a big impact. In the last two years, we have increased our donor list and donations by over 200%. This has allowed us to grow the organization and add new programs that benefit our consumers. For example, two years ago, we added a Community Garden that gives our consumers the opportunity to engage in a therapeutic and educational activity. We have established new partnerships in the community that have produced a computer lab, a library, yoga classes, art classes, and other enrichment activities. We have also expanded our meal service to ensure that there is access to a healthy breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. More recently, we have been able to continue safely operating during COVID. Our staff and most or our consumers have been vaccinated and we are returning to normal operations.