Grace Centers of Hope cut ribbon on 61st renovated Pontiac home

Four women who have overcome addiction and homelessness through Grace Centers of Hope (GCH) and three of their children are moving into a newly renovated historic home at 85 Moreland in Pontiac, the 61st completed home in “Little Grace Village,” the faith-based nonprofit’s growing neighborhood of Aftercare homes for graduates of its Life Skills Program.

A ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony took place at 10 a.m. on June 2, at the home.

The event featured remarks from Grace Centers of Hope CEO Darin Weiss, Pontiac Mayor Mike McGuinness, community members who supported the project, and members of the Grace Centers team who oversaw the renovation.

Grace Centers of Hope is one of the leading faith-based organizations in southeastern Michigan, offering long-term programs to restore the lives of people facing homelessness, addiction, education, parenting, poverty, abuse and spiritual emptiness.

Their Little Grace Village housing efforts were launched nearly 25 years ago, and have grown into a large community in Pontiac full of program graduates.

New start for families

The home, purchased in July 2025, underwent an extensive top-to-bottom renovation after crews uncovered major structural and water damage issues that were not initially visible.

“What looked like a solid home from the outside quickly turned into one of the most challenging renovation projects we’ve undertaken,” said Weiss. “But this house represents exactly what Grace Centers of Hope is about — restoring what was broken and creating a new beginning.

“These women and children are getting far more than a roof over their heads. They’re getting a safe, beautiful place to continue rebuilding their lives.”

Melanie Thompson, who entered GCH Women’s Program in February 2025 and is a graduate of the one-year Life Skills program, will be one of the residents at 85 Moreland with her 4-year-
old daughter.

“Finishing the Life Skills Program and moving into this home is something I honestly never believed would be possible for me and my daughter,” said Thompson. “A year ago, I felt completely hopeless, but today we have a stable, Christ-centered place to live that is safe, clean and truly beautiful. My 4-year-old calls it ‘our beautiful home,’ and knowing she sees it that way means everything to me.”

‘Every major system’ replaced or upgraded

Originally budgeted as a more modest renovation, the project evolved into a near-complete rebuild after crews discovered a severely cracked basement foundation wall, major water intrusion issues, and structural concerns throughout the home. Grace Centers of Hope invested approximately $350,000 into the project, including the purchase of the home and renovations funded through donations and general charitable support.

“This is now one of the most thoroughly rebuilt homes in Little Grace Village,” Weiss added.

“Every major system in the house has been replaced or upgraded, and it will provide stability and hope for years to come.”

The renovation included:

 A new roof, siding, rebuilt gables, porch and rear deck
 Complete replacement of electrical, plumbing and HVAC systems
 New furnace and tankless water heater installation
 Structural reinforcement of a severely damaged basement wall
 Excavation and exterior water management improvements
 Removal of a leaking basement entrance and unsafe fireplace
 Full interior demolition and reconstruction
 New insulation, drywall, bathrooms, kitchen, flooring and fixtures throughout the home

Phil Zentz, Project Manager at Grace Centers of Hope, has overseen the renovation since August 2025.

“When we opened the walls and basement, we realized this project was far more extensive than expected,” Zentz said. “The basement wall had major structural cracking, water was entering the home from multiple points, and virtually every major system needed replacement.

Thanks to generous donors, volunteers and contractors who stepped up to help, we were able to completely restore the home and make it safe and beautiful for the families who will live here.”

Community lends support

Several contractors and community partners donated time, labor and materials to support the project, including Joe Hagen of Earth Art Landscaping; and Consumers Energy, which contributed a furnace for the home.

The project was first made possible by Dr. Pat Kelly, who along with his wife Dawn and their children purchased the home for Grace Centers in 2025. Several other major donors, including Mary Castorri, also contributed to making the home rebuild a reality.

The women moving into the home are graduates of Grace Centers of Hope’s yearlong Life Skills Program, which provides addiction recovery services, counseling, education, job training, parenting support and spiritual guidance.

After graduation, residents transition into the nonprofit’s Aftercare Program, which provides affordable housing and continued accountability as they work toward independent living.

Since launching Little Grace Village in 2003, Grace Centers of Hope has transformed dozens of once-blighted Pontiac properties into stable housing opportunities for individuals and families in recovery.

Many former residents have ultimately become homeowners themselves.

“We continue to see tremendous demand for Aftercare housing,” Weiss said. “Every home we complete creates another opportunity for someone to stay on the path of recovery while also strengthening the surrounding neighborhood.”