Since 1970, SOS Community Services has been a creative, caring source of help in Washtenaw County. We have remained committed to helping people in need, regardless of economic or emotional circumstance.

2006

SOS embarks on a new intiative, called SOS Housing First.  SOS Housing First means we are putting "family housing" first in our list of SOS prorities.  Our plan is to dramatically reduce the time a homeless family is in a shelter by placing them in permanent housing as quickly as possible.  SOS will then provide each family with services and support so they remain housed.  SOS hopes to start this initiative in the Spring of 2007.

 

 

2005

SOS celebrates 35 years of service to the Washtenaw County community.

2004

SOS officially changes its legal name to SOS Community Services, reflecting the full breadth of its mission to provide housing crisis services, homeless family services, and homeless children's services to the community.

2002

Responding to acute community need, SOS sharpens its focus on helping homeless families and children to achieve self-sufficiency and housing stability.

1995

SOS establishes Time for Tots, a therapeutic daycare center for homeless infants and pre-school children.

1992

SOS begins post-transitional follow-up services for graduate families. This initiative provides an additional year of support for families to further stabilize their housing and family lives.

1990

SOS opens its Family Resource Center, which houses its integrated supportive services. SOS also develops a scattered site model of transitional housing for recently homeless families aimed at helping families achieve long-term family and residential stability, economic independence, and emotional self-reliance.

1989

SOS develops an integrated continuum of supportive services geared towards moving homeless families toward lasting stability and self-reliance. Services address a network of inter-related issues including employability, adult literacy & education, childcare and educational supports for children, health care, financial and home management, family development, social-emotional support, substance abuse recovery and prevention, homelessness prevention, and housing relocation.

Summer, 1988

The Prospect Place Family Shelter opens.

1987

The SOS Prospect Place Family Shelter Program is established to meet the increasing demand for emergency shelter for homeless families with children.

1985

SOS creates the "Washtenaw Affordable Housing Initiative," a broad-based effort to engage the wider community in defining and mobilizing response to the emergent crisis of the mid-eighties: homelessness and the need for affordable housing. Partnerships are formed with property owners, other service providers, and community leaders, resulting in expansion of emergency housing assistance and the formation of the Washtenaw Affordable Housing Corporation and the Inter-Agency Housing and Shelter Council.

Early 1980s

SOS expands its emergency food pantry, consumer advocacy services, and emergency housing aid. More families begin using short-term counseling, and new programs are created to help welfare clients gain job skills. SOS becomes a founding member of the Ypsilanti Emergency Shelter network (1981) and the Huron Harvest Food Bank (1982). In 1983, SOS develops programs for those in need of help with housing and rent. The following year, SOS creates an outreach program serving citizens in the Bryant neighborhood area of Ann Arbor.

Late 1970s

Amidst deep economic recession and changing federal policy towards human services, SOS assumes a more central role as a private organization helping people hurt by political and economic change. Services are increasingly directed toward families and individuals struggling with crises associated with economic hardship: unemployment, hunger, homelessness and other basic needs.

1976

SOS officially incorporates as a private non-profit agency. The agency's efforts remain focused on addressing drug-related concerns among young adults and assisting economically challenged community members.

September 1973

SOS moves to 114 North River Street, Ypsilanti, and adopts the name "SOS Community Crisis Center." SOS forms a Community Advisory Board and, under the auspices of Catholic Social Services, begins receiving support from the Ypsilanti Community Chest (now the Washtenaw United Way).

Fall, 1971

SOS becomes a truly community-based crisis counseling program, moving off campus to a house at 501 North Adams, Ypsilanti. The goal: to make crisis services accessible for the entire community. SOS offers help to growing numbers of citizens from all age, race, and class groups. Core programming includes a volunteer-staffed, 24-hour crisis line, walk-in services, information and referral, suicide prevention, short-term counseling, substance abuse prevention, and emergency food distribution.

 

Spring, 1970

SOS ("Students Offering Support") is founded by students & faculty at Eastern Michigan University. Volunteers help peers resolve inter-generational and drug-related conflicts. SOS features a 24-hour crisis line, walk-in counseling center and Emergency Outreach and On-Call Team. Services grow to include emotional problems and to serve nearby high schools.