Food Ministry at Guiding Light: Serving People, Strengthening Community

Pablo, staff member, preparing meals for Food Ministry program

At Guiding Light, food ministry is about service, dignity, partnership, and a shared commitment to meeting a basic human need. Every pallet of food that arrives at our doors represents an opportunity. Our staff and participants work together to unload, weigh, and separate each delivery so it can be shared in the way it is … Read more

“This Place Has Saved My Life”

Corey speaking to a group of people seated at assigned tables for the Family Easter Meal celebration

Corey recently moved to Guiding Light’s sober living community called Iron House after completing four months of addiction recovery programming and spending another four finding stable, full-time employment and saving up for his future in recovery. He recently spoke at our Family Easter Meal celebration, and below is the powerful testimony he shared: “Good afternoon … Read more

Guiding Light Gave Us Our Son Back.

Matt S nailing his recovery plaque to the wall at Guiding Light

Dave and Cheryl suffered in helpless silence for years as their son struggled with alcohol. “There were a lot of nights where my wife would be crying and we would be asking ourselves, ‘What did we do wrong?’” Dave said. “Some of our friends knew what was going on, but we were hiding it. We … Read more

WILLINGNESS, NOT WILLPOWER.

group of four men wearing yellow guiding light shirts standing near a Christmas tree in the Grand Rapids Mission

Willingness is an attitude backed by action. At Guiding Light, Focus Points are the core practices that shape how we live out recovery and build a new way of life. They are not abstract ideas or personality traits, but lived principles that guide our daily choices, actions, and ways of being. Each Focus Point invites … Read more

Celebrating the Launch of the Guiding Light Heritage Society

Guiding Light Heritage Society Member wall with member's names on plaques

On November 19 we celebrated a meaningful new chapter for Guiding Light as we introduced our Heritage Society. The Heritage Society recognizes individuals who have pledged a gift to Guiding Light in their estate plans or wills. These long term commitments are powerful expressions of commitment to Guiding Light’s mission, and they help ensure that … Read more

Celebrating a Year of Sobriety

Brian Elve standing amongst one year honorees from sobriety program

“My life now is better than it was before coming to GLR. I have a job. I have a positive attitude. I renewed relationships with my family and with my daughter. I have a community around me that pushes me to be the best me. I am grateful for everything right now in life, big … Read more

Waking Up

men sitting at tables in classroom setting, filling out paperwork for sobriety program

The following excerpt was written by one of our women’s program spiritual directors, Annie Karasinski as an email shared to the congregation of St. Andrew’s Church: On Division Avenue, across the street from the Cathedral, is Guiding Light, a program dedicated to the recovery and restoration of people suffering from addiction. Many people I love, … Read more

The Power of Silence

men and women in Guiding Light Recovery program in front of the Hermitage, monastery retreat center

In the busyness of everyday life, it’s rare to find time for quiet. But for the men and women in our recovery program, stepping away from the noise is not just a luxury. It becomes a key milestone in their recovery journey. Participants in our Recovery Program travel to the Hermitage once during the foundations … Read more

God Opened the Door for Me.

Pablo hugging his daughter in celebration of his recovery from addiction

As a teenager, Pablo left his home in Puerto Rico because he couldn’t stand watching how his father treated his mother whenever he got drunk. He moved in with his uncle in Holland, graduated high school, was married for 26 years, had three daughters. But, little by little, family history repeated itself: His own drinking … Read more

I Couldn’t Run or Hide.

Sam playing violin, and another sobriety program member playing piano at Thanksgiving gathering

Sam spent a lot of time living — and a lot of time drinking — in isolation. “It was just a steady, nonstop stream of alcohol. I was getting plastered, and I didn’t want to be seen.” Then a case of acute pancreatitis landed him in the hospital. “I was stuck in a hospital bed … Read more

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