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A Lions of Michigan State Project
 

History of Welcome Homes

Bella Mae, one of Welcome Homes FoundersBella Mae Seeks Assistance

Welcome Homes began over 50 years ago when Bella Mae, a blind woman from Iron Mountain, Michigan, sought a safe and supportive home. Unable to live alone, she could not find residency because the blind were considered "high maintenance." Frustrated, Bella Mae enlisted help from the American Foundation for the Blind.

Through the generosity and foresight of a teacher for the blind at The Foundation, a new service organization was born. Her property in Saginaw was left to the newly formed Welcome Homes for the Blind. Sale of the property brought in $6,000, enough to purchase a home at 227 Charles Street S.E. in Grand Rapids. The home was to be open only to the blind and visually impaired.

 

Original Welcome Homes house on Charles St. in Grand Rapids, MILions of West Michigan Adopt Welcome Homes on Charles St.

Though the house was sound, it needed many repairs and required furnishing. Many groups and organizations helped with contributions of money, labor and services.



Lions members and residents enjoy StrawberriesThe Grand Rapids Lions Club was a major contributor and even sponsored a "furniture shower." Support for the concept of a home for the blind was so strong that the Lions of Michigan adopted Welcome Homes for the Blind as a "State Project" in 1952.

 

 

Welcome Homes building on Monroe StreetMoving to Monroe Avenue

Within 10 years, Welcome Homes outgrew it's first location and moved into a new home at 1953 Monroe Avenue N.W. The Monroe location was much larger and uniquely designed to meet the special needs of many more blind and visually impaired residents.

The Monroe Street home became an icon in the Grand Rapids area and served to capacity until the late 1900's. It was not until 2004 that Welcome Homes found itself reevaluating the changing needs of its current residents and considering the ability to accommodate projected growth.

 

Woman and CaregiverChange is Inevitable

It was determined that operating as a single location would not meet future demand for residential services for the blind and visually impaired and that modernizing the facility was not practical. There was also increased difficulty in attracting new residents. The growing population of older adults want to remain in their own communities; they want to remain active and close to family and friends. For most, moving to Grand Rapids was not considered a viable option.

 

A New Approach

It was time to take a different approach to fulfilling the Welcome Homes mission of providing support services to assist the blind and visually impaired in maintaining a healthy, dignified, independant lifestyle in a secure and compassionate environment.

 

Welcome Homes Member Plaque and ResidentsGerontology Network Affiliate

In 2005, Welcome Homes joined with Gerontology Network, a nonprofit organization made up of Affiliate services that work together to enhance the quality of life and promote independence of older adults, and Welcome Homes Residential Services was established.

Now, Welcome Homes is positioned to address the needs of people with vision loss throughout Michigan by facilitating sensitive and supportive living environments in existing residential settings.

We would like to invite you to join us in continuing our history of providing a secure and compassionate living environment for the blind and visually impaired.