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Drop In Center - Port of Hopes
731 Griswold Street
Port Huron, Michigan 48060
810-982-3560
Open 8:00 am - 6:00 pm, 7 days a week
The Drop In Center - Port of Hopes was established in Port Huron in 1990 with the intention of providing a haven for individuals with mental illnesses. For more than a decade now, the drop-in center has created an atmosphere of acceptance and community.
On a daily basis, approximately 60 people come to the Port of Hopes to socialize and escape the stigma that they so often experience in the outside world. While the directors facilitate many of the activities and services at Port of Hopes, the individuals who attend also have a voice in how the drop-in center is run and in the activities that will take place. They hold meetings every Friday afternoon, during which people can share their opinions and contribute ideas. All of the board meetings are open, which provides another opportunity for them to share their input.
The Port of Hopes has the feeling of home. For individuals who are in transition, the center provides a place to make and receive phone calls and an address to receive mail and messages. It is a place where individuals can find community on any major holiday - from a dance on Valentine's Day to a picnic on St. Patrick's Day. Especially for those who do not have family, it's a place where people take care of each other.
Beyond holiday events, the people who attend the Port of Hopes find various activities in which they can participate or help plan. After deciding on a film together, every Friday evening they have a movie and popcorn night. During the week, they often play bingo, pool, or hold a karaoke event. In collaboration with the social activities, some individuals take advantage of volunteer opportunities.
In December 2003, the Port of Hopes became the third drop-in center in the state of Michigan to have a Project Stay. Project Stay provides peer case management services for those individuals who may be resistant to a more traditional approach. The Project Stay office is housed in the Port of Hopes building so that they are literally meeting the individuals where they are and addressing their needs. The Project Stay theme is "Do with and not for." Most often, a staff member will sit down with an individual and assess their most immediate needs, such as food, shelter and clothing. They will then help the individual meet those needs in a variety of ways through: Department of Human Services, Social Security, housing applications, Economic Opportunity Committee, or other human service agencies; linking them to a shelter; or working with the local soup kitchen or Salvation Army.
