Guiding Light Mission reveals recent renovations

The 125 people who attended Guiding Light Mission's (GLM) open house on June 5, 2013, got the inside scoop on the organization's recently completed renovations.

GLM is not a 'flop house.' The spruced-up facility now boasts five new offices; a new prayer room; updated safety, security, and fire protection; and a new set of bathrooms, thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor.

Since Executive Director Stuart Ray began working there four years ago, he has seen the staff grow from three people to 15. Before the renovation, people were scattered all over the building, which made communication difficult. Now everyone is centralized.

Ray's job is to lead and set the tone for the organization. "I'm fairly particular about the culture here," he says. "It's a form of respite to quiet the mind, and our goal is to create a culture of innovation. Our group is very passionate and committed to re-launching men back into the community."

GLM guarantees transportation to and from employers. Everyone has a savings plan, and the men give something back out of their wages. Entitlements are limited because at some point, the men must go back out into the real world. People are encouraged to stay, use GLM's resources, and develop an exit strategy.

"It is easy to just provide food, shelter, chapel, to kiss them on the cheek, and send them back out," says Ray. "But it takes a full year for the brain to recover from substance abuse. Generally, in the beginning, men make spontaneous decisions that are not necessarily well thought-out."

GLM is located at 255 S. Division Ave. in Grand Rapids' Heartside. In 2012, GLM served 72,415 free meals; provided 27,908 safe and secure overnight stays; and hosted 99 men who participated in the Christ-centered, in-house drug and alcohol recovery program. GLM also helped 161 men find full-time employment in Kent County. In the first three months of 2013, these men generated $772,800 in the local economy.


Get involved:

- Visit GLM's website.
- Donate to GLM.
- Host a fundraiser.

Sources: Stuart Ray, Executive Director, Guiding Light Mission; Jenny Luth, Clark Communications
Writer: Victoria Mullen, Do Good Editor

Images: Courtesy of Guiding Light Mission