LANSING—Think of someone experiencing homelessness, and you probably conjure an image—someone standing on a street corner with a cardboard sign, perhaps. Or sleeping on a park bench. Or staying at a shelter.
But like the causes of homelessness, the true image is more complicated and diverse.
“People who experience homelessness don’t always fit a simple definition,” said Celaina Boylan-Castilla, Community Impact Associate at United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI). “They include families who have no choice but to live with other family members, couch surf at a friend’s place or double up with others.”
That reality prompted creation of the Shared Housing Intervention Program (SHIP), a collaboration of Housing Services Mid-Michigan, Child and Family Services, and Advent House Ministries. UWSCMI is a funder of this program, which serves families in Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties. Through SHIP, case managers work with these families to provide financial literacy, support, advocacy, and links to financial assistance programs and other agencies.
“SHIP is a critical service to aid families with children that otherwise might not qualify for help,” said Boylan-Castilla.
Another Capital Area housing collaboration that UWSCMI proudly supports Haven House of East Lansing. Haven House provides emergency shelter, rapid rehousing and homeless prevention for families.
“Our support through Haven House helps drive a ‘Housing First’ strategy—making sure each family has a safe place to live first and foremost, and then providing other forms of assistance to move them toward self-sufficiency,” said Boylan-Castilla. Through Haven House, support includes food, shelter, rehousing assistance, clothing, employment assistance and other critical needs.
The work doesn’t stop there. As it does elsewhere in the region, UWSCMI helps invest federal dollars each year through the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program, administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency. In 2024, UWSCMI distributed $218,280 to eight programs in Clinton, Eaton and Ingham counties and the City of Lansing focused on housing, food and utility aid.
“Safe, affordable, stable housing continues to be a crucial need in the Capital Area,” Boylan-Castilla said. “I’m so grateful that United Way is a partner in bringing solutions.”
United Way of South Central Michigan is investing, convening, advocating and collaborating on solutions so families can reach the goal of an affordable, safe, stable home and homeownership. By making a gift today, you can make a difference—right in the community where you live.
