Guiding Light Works

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Guiding Light Works Donate Now: www.GuidingLightWorks.org/Give

Visit us at www.GuidingLightWorks.org Need help with addiction? The program is very intensive. Need a place to sleep?

The Guiding Light Recovery Program is a holistic, inclusive addiction treatment and recovery program for men, consisting of residential care and aftercare counseling and support. For nearly a decade, our programs have offered hope to men struggling with addiction and opportunity to change their lives and seek new directions and new motivations. Programming exposes clients to God's healing love in a caring environment that provides education, vocational training, confrontation, guidance, and support. In this environment, each man is offered the tools he needs to develop a sense of self-worth and become transformed and motivated by a new vision of how his life could be. He develops concern for others and an appreciation for integrity, community, responsibility, sympathy, and fun. Men are required to fully participate in individual therapy, addictions counseling, and group counseling, which are Christian based and designed to help the client learn how to recover from his addiction and manage conflict in a healthy way. In addition to healing the man himself, the program also seeks to equip him with the tools to be successful in his recovery, including career development and help with housing. The goal of Guiding Light is to restore each man to a right relationship with himself, his family, and with Jesus Christ, so that he can become a productive member of society once again. Our Guiding Light Recovery Program is completely free. Our donors provide the support needed so the men can focus on getting back on their feet. The Emergency Overnight Shelter is a temporary place for men who are looking for a clean, safe place to spend the night. It is designed to address the immediate transitional needs of men trying to find their way through a lost job, a lost home, a lost loved one, the loss of relationships, or loss of direction. These men need a hand up - encouragement to seek that next level of progress - not just another hand out. Each guest is provided dinner, a shower, clean pajamas, a bed with clean sheets, and breakfast the next morning. Many of these men suffer from multiple issues that have led to the downward spiral of living in the streets. Some choose to move to the next level in our Back to Work progam. By making that commitment, they gain access to case management services, educational classes, relapse prevention, career counseling, and employment search services.

Saturday's 5K was a reminder of what can happen when a community comes together! With beautiful weather and more than 20...
10/12/2026

Saturday's 5K was a reminder of what can happen when a community comes together! With beautiful weather and more than 200 participants at Millennium Park, the morning was filled with engagement and support for our mission.

Thank you to every runner, walker, volunteer, and sponsor who was part of the day. We are especially grateful to our presenting sponsors, Aspen Investment Management & Mercantile Bank for their partnership and investment in the work we do.

See you next year!

10/09/2026

See you tomorrow!

Race Director Mark shares the run down of tomorrow's annual 5K Run/Walk in this quick video. It's not too late to join us!

On October 10th at 9am, Guiding Light will host our annual 5K fundraiser at Millennium Park. The check-in registration table will be open from 8-9am with the race kicking off at 9. You can still register at https://guidinglightworks.org/5k/ or in person before the race tomorrow!

Bring your family, friends, kids, and dogs to the race. All registered participants will get a raffle ticket for the chance to win one of two Pedago electric scooters valued at over $400!

Special thanks to our presenting sponsors Mercantile Bank and Aspen Investment Management for making this possible.

Today is DAF Day! What will your DAF do?Donor Advised Funds are a popular form of savings and giving: they give you an i...
10/08/2026

Today is DAF Day! What will your DAF do?

Donor Advised Funds are a popular form of savings and giving: they give you an immediate tax deduction when you make a deposit and the power of your values in action when you select charities to impact.

Today is the 3rd annual DAF Day, a national day of giving that’s focused on these important funds. Nonprofits of every size are asking their communities to reach in and make an extra gift from their DAFs today, and we hope Guiding Light is on your list.

If you choose to give to Guiding Light today, your DAF will:

-Impact men and women as they find long term sobriety: over 300 individuals experienced our program last year.
-Provide basic needs: housing, meals, hot showers, clothes alongside counseling and programming.
-Create long-term change. Last year, 86% of those completing our program reached a year of sobriety.

If you want to open a DAF, we recommend talking to your financial advisor or the National Christian Foundation’s Giving Fund, Grand Rapids Community Foundation funds, and the Holland-Zeeland Community Foundation.

https://guidinglightworks.org/legacy/

We're looking forward to hosting The Phoenix this Friday at 6:00 PM for a public forum at Guiding Light.The Phoenix crea...
10/07/2026

We're looking forward to hosting The Phoenix this Friday at 6:00 PM for a public forum at Guiding Light.

The Phoenix creates opportunities for people in recovery and their supporters to build community through activities like hiking, fitness, rock climbing, pickleball, and more. Come learn about their mission, hear what they offer, and explore ways to get involved.

Friday, 6:00 PM
255 Division Ave. S
No RSVP required. Everyone is welcome. Just show up and join us.

HAPPENING THIS SATURDAY - There is still time to register for Guiding Light's annual 5k Run/Walk at 9am in Millennium Pa...
10/06/2026

HAPPENING THIS SATURDAY - There is still time to register for Guiding Light's annual 5k Run/Walk at 9am in Millennium Park!

Bring your kids, dogs, parents, friends, neighbors, and more! This event is for the whole family and we can't wait to see you there. To register and for more details, visit https://guidinglightworks.org/5k/

10/02/2026

When we asked our Facilities Manager, Javi, who inspires him at Guiding Light, his answer was someone who consistently shows up for others.

Every day, our team members encourage, support, and challenge one another to be better and honor God's gifts.

https://guidinglightworks.org/about/

It's officially 5K month here at Guiding Light! https://guidinglightworks.org/5k/In just TEN DAYS, Guiding Light will be...
10/01/2026

It's officially 5K month here at Guiding Light! https://guidinglightworks.org/5k/

In just TEN DAYS, Guiding Light will be hosting it's annual 5K Run/Walk at Millennium Park. You can make an impact by joining us on October 10th at 9am.

All race proceeds support Guiding Light programming! Sign up today!

P.S. You can even win a FREE electric scooter from Pedego! All you have to do is sign up and attend the race for an automatic entry to win one of two electric scooters! We will be raffling these off at the end of the race, and your registration is your ticket to win. ($422 value!) *Must be present to win

Join us for a family-friendly 5K at Millennium Park on October 11 to support the men and women working to conquer addiction at Guiding Light.

Our Executive Director welcomes the Guiding Light community into his home with his family a few times a year to celebrat...
09/29/2026

Our Executive Director welcomes the Guiding Light community into his home with his family a few times a year to celebrate special recovery milestones.

Craig, Jon, and Aaron recently reached three years of sobriety, which means there was a party at the boss' house to celebrate! Long-term recovery is our goal here, which means that we want to encourage and honor the men and women who work towards this every day.

https://guidinglightworks.org/

As National Recovery Month comes to an end, our work continues year round!For many men and women struggling with addicti...
09/27/2026

As National Recovery Month comes to an end, our work continues year round!

For many men and women struggling with addiction, short-term treatment alone is not enough to achieve lasting recovery. That is why Guiding Light is committed to a long-term approach that focuses on sustainable change, not quick fixes.

Every day, we walk alongside individuals as they rebuild their lives. In fact, 80% of our men who move into Iron House reach one year of sobriety and counting.

https://guidinglightworks.org/2026/08/14/celebrating-national-recovery-month/

09/25/2026

When we asked Case Manager Sam who inspires him at Guiding Light, he didn't mention a mentor or a leader. He mentioned his coworker, Ayan.

Every day, the two work side by side supporting men in recovery. Their friendship is a reflection of something we believe deeply at Guiding Light: recovery happens in community.

We often say that the opposite of addiction is connection. That's why building strong relationships is at the heart of everything we do.

Address

255 Division Avenue S
Grand Rapids, MI
49503

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