Making a Difference
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Choose a cause or group and get involved. Spread the word, volunteer, donate. Together we matter in building a strong community! Most of these links are to local opportunities, but this site will continue to expand and more resources will be added. If you know of groups that are seeking volunteers please email sand.kathy@gmail.com and I will add the resource.
Justice Reform- Helping the Incarcerated and their Families
Before During and After Incarceration- BDAI advocates for the incarcerated by providing restorative programming, family support, and community education about alternatives to incarceration while engaging local and statewide stakeholders to improve the criminal justice system.
Keys to Freedom Ministries- Keys to Freedom Ministries seeks to restore dignity to those affected by Crime and incarceration. Ministering inside the jails, our trained Chaplains and Program Providers introduce prisoners to hope available through Jesus Christ.
Nation Outside-Nation Outside is a movement that uses community education strategies and civic engagement initiatives to inspire our members and the community to get involved in knowledgeable, sustainable, and socially just forms of advocacy to support currently and formerly incarcerated folks, their loved ones, and their communities in order to inspire and create real reform in the criminal justice system.
Housing
Safe Harbor-We operate a non-profit, volunteer-run Seasonal Emergency Shelter and a year-round Housing & Human Services Resource Center. As part of the Continuum of Care, we also focus on community partnerships in order to better collaborate on long-term solutions to ending homelessness in our Goodwill Inn region.
Goodwill Inn- We’re grateful to the volunteers who make it possible for us to bring food to neighbors and help people find home in Northern Michigan. The Goodwill Inn is a year-round, 120-bed emergency shelter that includes 11 suites for families. We provide safe, supportive shelter with food and other basic
Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency-Housing Resources-Provides assistance with foreclosure prevention,homeownership counseling, homeless prevention and supportive services for veteran families
The Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness- Addresses housing issues through a community-based process that develops a comprehensive, coordinated continuum of care to individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in our communities.
Homestretch Housing-HomeStretch was established in 1996 in response to an identified Affordable Housing Crisis in Traverse City. Since then we have developed over 100 below market rate rentals and homes for sale, adding new obtainable housing stock to our communities each year.
Housing North-This independent nonprofit focuses on addressing the systemic problems embedded in zoning laws, development financing, and public-private partnerships.
Habitat for Hummanity-Grand Traverse Region- Habitat for Humanity brings people together to build sustainable homes, communities and hope.
Mental Health
NAMI-Grand Traverse- Dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with mental illness and their families through support, education, and advocacy.
Northern Lakes Community Mental Health- Northern Lakes Community Mental Health Authority serves adults with serious mental illness, persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, children with serious emotional disturbance, and persons with co-occurring substance use disorders in six counties: Crawford, Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Missaukee, Roscommon, and Wexford.
Substance Use Recovery
Grand Traverse County Drug Free Coalition-To create a community-wide culture of awareness and action in the prevention, treatment and recovery of substance use disorders
Families Against Narcotics (FAN)-An integral part of FAN's mission is to remove the stigma associated with addiction through education and to inform the community of the growing problem of substance dependency or addiction among all ages, and the increasing use of heroin by our young people.
MI State Police Angel Program-The program allows any person who enters a MSP post and requests help with his or her addiction to be screened for potential participation without fear of being arrested for their drug/alcohol use or current possession.
Harm Reduction-MI- Harm Reduction Michigan’s mission is to decrease substance use-related harms in Michigan, in a respectful manner in collaboration with people who use drugs and alcohol. We are dedicated to improving our community’s health and well-being by supporting people in abstinence, moderation and safer use.
Addiction Treatment Services- Our mission is to promote the overall health, wellness, and recovery of individuals impacted by substance use and behavioral health issues by meeting the treatment needs of our clients and community.
Catholic Human Services- CHS provides counseling, substance use disorder treatment, prevention education, adoption, youth mentoring, and senior services to thousands of people each year. We partner with health care providers, employers, churches, and agencies to offer a wide range of best-practice services.
Veterans
Grand Traverse Veterans Coalition- The GTAVC is comprised of Organizations related to Veterans and Service Personnel from the Grand Traverse Michigan Area. These include Service Organizations like but not limited to the VFW, DAV, American Legion, Government and Private Services. It is our interest to promote Military Veterans Services, Memorials and Recognition Programs in our area
Diverse Opportunities
The SALT Coalition-Grand Traverse Area- An interfaith group coming together from many belief systems. Creating community-wide opportunities for education, civil discourse and action around Housing, Racial Justice and Voting Rights