Nonprofit Grace Centers of Hope Unveils 60th Renovated Pontiac Home for Program Graduates

PONTIAC, Mich. — Nine men and women who overcame addiction and homelessness through Grace Centers of Hope (GCH) have moved into a newly renovated historic duplex at 23 and 25 Lexington Place in Pontiac. The dedication ceremony on Sept. 9 marked a major milestone, as this was the 60th home completed in “Little Grace Village,” the faith-based nonprofit’s neighborhood of Aftercare homes for graduates of its yearlong Life Skills Program.

The Sept. 9 event featured remarks from Grace Centers of Hope CEO Darin Weiss, as well as GCH’s former longtime CEO Pastor Kent W. Clark, and Clif Seiber, who led the renovation efforts for GCH.

Since its founding in 2003, the Little Grace Village initiative has transformed once crime-ridden Pontiac blocks into thriving, family-friendly streets.

“The women and men moving into the Lexington house have faced much adversity, and Grace Centers of Hope is excited to offer them a new home and a new start to the next chapter of their lives,” Weiss said.“This was our biggest project yet, and I’m thrilled to see Little Grace Village reach 60 homes. We’re not slowing down — our 61st home is already under renovation, and our goal is 100 homes within five years.”

From Vacant Eyesore to New Beginning

Built in 1910, the 4,025-square-foot, 3-story duplex was vacant and boarded for more than a decade and nearly demolished before GCH purchased the property in 2024 for $60,000.

The three-story property, which received $310,000 in upgrades funded entirely through private donations, includes 9 bedrooms, 2 kitchens with islands and pantries, 4 full baths, and 2 first-floor laundry rooms.

GCH gutted the home down to the exterior stud walls and rebuilt with completely new wiring, plumbing and HVAC systems. Interior walls were removed to create a more open living space, and door openings were reconstructed to meet building codes.

The home houses six men in one unit and three women in the other. All residents were graduates of GCH’s Life Skills Program, which provides recovery, counseling, job training, and spiritual guidance. After graduation, they enter the Aftercare Program, which offers affordable housing, accountability, and community support while they build independent lives.

Weiss noted the demand remains high: “We currently have more than 30 graduates waiting for Aftercare housing. Each new home means more people staying on the path of recovery while strengthening Pontiac neighborhoods.”

GCH Residents and Graduates Help Rebuild

Several GCH residents and graduates also helped renovate the Lexington house. Nickolas Nowland, who installed plumbing and heating systems, moved into the home, and this carries deep meaning for him.

“I owe GCH my life. This house was once headed for demolition, just like I was. Now we both have a new beginning. I feel blessed and excited to keep building on this second chance,” Nowland said.

GCH graduate James Nicholas, another construction worker on the project, said the house required a complete rebuild: “We replaced the roof, tore out chimneys, installed steel supports, poured new footings, and added high-efficiency furnaces and water heaters. It’s our best house yet.”

Pastor Clark, who began the home renovation program in 2003 during his time at CEO, stated, “This program is a perfect example of ‘urban renewal’ without relying on taxpayers.”

Of the 60 homes completed, 23 have already been purchased by former GCH residents, 16 of them fully paid off.

About Grace Centers of Hope

Giving hope to the helpless since 1942, Grace Centers of Hope is considered one of the leading faith-based organizations in Southeastern Michigan, confronting daily the issues of homelessness, addiction, education, parenting, poverty, abuse and spiritual emptiness. On any given night, Grace Centers of Hope provides transitional shelter to 375 men, women and children, in addition to serving more than 238,000 meals each year. Grace’s $8 million yearly budget is maintained solely through corporate and private donors, exclusive of any government assistance. To learn more about Grace Centers of Hope or to make a donation, visit www.gracecentersofhope.org.