Our History & Values

Since 1970, SOS Community Services has been a caring source of help in Washtenaw County. SOS Community Services, originally called Students Offering Support, was founded by students and faculty at Eastern Michigan University. Student peer-counselors provided support through a 24-hour crisis phone line to address issues surrounding the local drug culture. Eventually, the organization moved from Eastern’s campus to make services accessible to the entire community and achieved non-profit status.

As the economic outlook in Washtenaw County changed, SOS Community Services began to take a central role in directing services toward families struggling with housing hardships that may result in homelessness.

To read about our agency’s milestones read the history timeline.

SOS Community Services is committed to offering assistance in a caring and non-judgmental atmosphere. We believe that services are enhanced by being inclusive and respectful to all people.

We seek to build on the strengths of the families we serve. Each family is responsible for their own personal change, as they work with staff to regain housing stability.

Our services are driven by these seven essential values: accessibility, dignity, diversity, self-determination, advocacy, volunteerism, and partnership.