Recovery Services
Life Align operates a no-cost recovery community center and harm-reduction hub in Muskegon Heights (Mon–Fri, 10am–7pm) for people navigating substance use and co-occurring mental health challenges—and their families. Guests receive same-day peer recovery coaching (BARC-10–informed), individualized goal plans, and daily peer groups (men’s, women’s, SMART Recovery). To prevent overdose and reduce harm, Life Align delivers evidence-based education and naloxone training, and distributes nasal naloxone, fentanyl/xylazine test strips, and safer-use supplies through in-center, street, and homeless outreach. Staff provide warm linkages to community resources—clinical care and MAT (via Samaritan Health Care), infectious-disease testing and syringe services (via The Red Project), safe housing and DV supports (via Every Woman’s Place), plus navigation for IDs, benefits, employment, and transportation. Meals are served weekly (Tuesdays) and every other Saturday to build community and reduce food insecurity.
Life Align is intentionally non-judgmental and inclusive, centering the experiences of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ residents and offering bilingual/ASL access as needed. In 2023 the center recorded 2,420 touchpoints with 500+ unique individuals, and service reach grew 25%+ from 2022–2024. In the coming grant year the program will serve ~550 individuals (including residents who are unhoused), with tracked outcomes in the Recovery Database Platform (RDP) aimed at improved health, health-promoting behavior change, reduced substance misuse, and stronger relationships.
Why this supports United Way’s mission/priorities
Life Align directly advances Healthy Families/Individuals—particularly Healthy Lifestyles and Mental Health / Access to Care—for ALICE households in Muskegon County. Serving a city where poverty is concentrated and most guests are of working age, the program removes practical barriers (cost, transportation, stigma, language), prevents overdose, and builds stability through culturally responsive coaching and rapid connection to health care, employment, and housing. These are the near-term conditions families need to meet basic needs and move toward long-term self-sufficiency. United Way funding will expand culturally tailored outreach, overdose-prevention education, distribution of life-saving supplies, and peer-coaching capacity, ensuring more working families in the Lakeshore—especially those facing discrimination, criminal-record hurdles, unstable housing, and low wages—can stay safer, healthier, and on track to thrive.