about

Our Mission

Home To Stay Housing Assistance Center helps Midland County Residents in need sustain stable housing through education, advocacy and support services, promoting self-sufficiency.

Our countless volunteers, devoted board of directors and staff have a collective vision of a community with safe, stable housing for all. No one should have to worry about where they’re going to sleep tonight and if they’ll be safe.
​
We are designated by the State of Michigan as the Housing Assessment and Resource Agency (HARA) for Midland County, making us a recognized central point of intake for high-need individuals and families facing eviction or homelessness.

our services

GET INVOLVED

Home To Stay Housing Assistance Center is a non-profit, designated by the IRS as a 501 (c)(3). All donations are tax deductible.

OUR PEOPLE

We’re thankful for a strong board of directors that passionately support our mission and serve as ambassadors for Home To Stay.

Board of Directors

• Wayne Blaser, Board President - Retired Research Manager, Dow Chemical
• Amy Gilstad, Vice-president - Procurement Manager, Trinseo
• Mike Fazio, Treasurer - Retired Chemist, Dow
• Kandis Pritchett, Secretary - Retired, MPS
• Chris Shirk - Senior Engineering Consultant, Assigned to DuPont
• Jenny Pomeroy - HR, Trinseo
• Joe Sepesy - Retired Attorney, Dow Chemical
• John Wilson - Principal, Wilson Law Office
• Kayla Susko - Communications Specialist, Dow
• Lorie Mault - HR, Mid-Michigan Medical Center
• Shelley Hobbs - Vice President, Isabella Bank
• Stacey Trapani - Owner, Trapani Communications
• Steve Koehler - CPA and Principal, McMahan Thomson and Associates
• Tamara McGovern - President and CEO, Briza Capital Advisors, LLC

Staff Members

• ​Donna St. John, LBSW - Executive Director
• Lois LeForge, BS - Finance Director
• Nate Coston - Home Repair and Facilities Manager
• Anita Forgie, LLMSW - Intake Coordinator
• Rena Walker, BS - Housing Resource Specialist
• Becca Marcott - Housing Resource Specialist
• Joe Kanouse, BSW - Housing Resource Specialist
• Cindy Armbruster - Furniture and Home Repair Coordinator
• Joyce Hobbs - Front Office Coordinator 
• Marianne Ray - Receptionist (Region 7)
• Karen Whitehead - ​Receptionist (Region 7)

history

In 1969, 10 local churches saw a need for a coordinated response to housing issues of low-income, senior and disabled residents. They pooled their resources and ideas around a central mission of providing housing assistance to those in need and Home To Stay was established. 

Founding Churches

• Aldersgate United Methodist Church
• Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
• First Baptist Church
• First United Methodist Church
  
• Memorial Presbyterian Church
• St. John's Episcopal Church
• St. John's Lutheran Church
• Trinity Lutheran Church
• United Church of Christ
• Unitarian Universalist Church