Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurie Labie.
Laurie , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
In 2017 Enriched Living was founded by myself and my brother Jeff Labie to offer premium care for adults with disabilities. Today, we operate five Adult Foster Care (AFC) homes and have a partner business Barso Acres AFC home. We have been home to nearly 100 residents in the past 8 years.
My passion for the community we serve began when I was attending Central Michigan University. I graduated with a degree in Special Education and Physical Education. After graduation, I began working with group homes in Chicago. My early experiences in the world of in-home care became a foudation for understanding the value of meaningful connections in every stage of life. Enriched Living was born from the belief that adults with disabilities deserve to live their BEST life and we-as a community-must advocate for opportunities and offer superior support services to those in need.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In 2016 I took a huge risk in moving myself and my daughter from Chicago to Grand Rapids in hopes of starting a business. After a lot of grueling work Enriched Living’s first home was licensed by the State of Michigan as an Adult Foster Care (AFC) home in February 2017. My brother Jeff and I were the only employees. Our very first resident required a lot of hands-on care. When she first moved in she was mute. In the following months we were so privileged to watch her transform from someone who was very weak and timid to a smiling, content woman. These early experiences have given us the courage to take many more risks in building the organization—we opened more homes and took more residents that had great struggles. We decided we weren’t in business of providing basic necessities—we really wanted to change lives.
While it has not always been easy it has been so rewarding to watch our residents blossom and grow. Today we continue to take individuals with high behavioral needs and have a home dedicated to those with high medical needs.
We’ve been impressed with Enriched Living, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Adult Foster Care (AFC) homes are residential homes licensed by the state of Michigan to offer 24-hour care and supervision for adults with disabilities. Enriched Living operates five AFC homes and has a partner company, Barso Acres AFC home. Our homes are located throughout West Michigan and designed to serve many needs and stages of life. In all the Enriched Living homes we are focused on offering customized care that meets individuals’ unique needs and growth journeys.
Enriched Living is family owned and operated and residents of Enriched Living consider each other family as well. The most sincere compliments are from Enriched Living’s residents: “I have gained a family and friends I will have for the rest of my life. I am a better person thanks to (Enriched Living). These people are my role models and heroes.”
The Enriched Living Difference is rooted in a proven process that focuses on connection, support, and advocacy. This process has been carefully crafted by a team with a combined 100+ years of experience in social services, caretaking, and business. Through this process we offer individuals premium care, a role in their community, and a safe home to live in, believing everyone deserves to live their BEST life. Our vision does not end with our homes, we work tirelessly with government entities and other nonprofits to build awareness, increase funding for services, and teach best practices in caretaking.
Enriched Living is a 501c3 nonprofit since 2018. While we are supported by funding from the State of Michigan, those funds are designed to only cover a bed and basic necessities. Through the generosity of donors we are able to provide opportunities for our residents such as adaptive sports, regular outings in the community, transportation to appointments, Christmas and birthday celebrations. In addition, donations are critical to support fundamental costs such as home repairs and staffing needs. Each year Enriched Living has two or more large fundraisers including an annual golf outing and gala. Without the support of our community we cannot provide premium care to the residents who currently reside in our homes and we cannot grow to support the nearly 100 people on our waitlist.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Enriched Living is a leader in the nonprofit community of West Michigan. Each year we devote hundreds of hours volunteering at other nonprofits, working closely with community leaders, and Laurie personally works as a consultant to other AFC home owners.
With continual changes in the nonprofit sector and funding cuts companies like Enriched Living cannot survive without the support of our community. Donations are critical in being able to continue providing premium care.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.enrichedlivingmichigan.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enrichedlivingmichigan
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/enrichedlivingmichigan
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EnrichedLiving-michigan
