When you think of Peace Neighborhood Center, images of smiling children enjoying After-School and Summer activities often come to mind. While our youth & family programs are a central part of the services Peace provides, we also provide vital Case Management support services to individuals of all ages across Washtenaw County to help them address a range of issues and move from crisis to stability.

 

Over the last ten years, Peace has partnered with the Ann Arbor Housing Commission to provide support services and meals to residents at a public housing facility in downtown Ann Arbor. Baker Commons, a 64-unit housing complex at Packard & Main provides supportive housing to people who have struggled with chronic homelessness and employment issues due to physical, emotional, developmental and/or mental disabilities.

 

Since 2013, Peace’s Senior Case Manager Kelly Martin (BSW), a long-time Peace staff member, has been working with Baker Commons residents to provide supportive services and care. She explains, “Case management involves navigating through the system.And a lot of advocating on behalf of clients to make sure they get the services they need, and working through disputes…It’s about relationships, gaining trust, helping and holding people accountable.”

 

Since that time, Peace’s valued presence at Baker has grown and we’ve expanded the team to include an additional case manager, DeShara Mckinney (MSW) and a kitchen assistant, Keira Overstreet. Together, they focus on providing services to effectively address resident’s needs.