Go-Getters in southwest Detroit provides a place of fellowship for men and women living with mental illness, many of whom are homeless or formerly homeless. It provides nutritious lunches, art and recreational activities, learning opportunities, recovery support groups, and important support services to help individuals in their recovery journeys and reintegration into society. Go-Getters’ staff works with persons to secure vital documentation so they can qualify for housing and benefits. Staff also works closely with Southwest Counseling to ensure that individuals receive the mental health services they need.

Go-Getters is open four days a week, Monday through Friday, from 7 AM to 2 PM. It is a warm and welcoming place, where persons in recovery from mental illness can relax, be themselves, feel accepted and safe, and find the support and encouragement that they need to rebuild meaningful lives.  Many participants describe Go-Getters as a “family,” where they feel a sense of belonging.

Programming includes support groups for men and women, recovery groups for substance use, meetings of the Bipolar Disorder Support Association of Metro Detroit, a daily walking and fitness group, music and arts and crafts classes. A nutritious lunch is served daily.   

Participants have the opportunity to help run the center, assisting with everything from conducting social activities and support groups to mentoring new members. This involvement enables participants to gain and practice social skills, and to grow in feelings of competence and self-esteem. 

Go-Getters is located at 2640 West Vernor, Detroit, 48216. For more information, contact Shirley Cockrell, who heads the program, at 313.961.0677 or email her.

Donations are an essential part of the funding for Go-Getters to support and sustain its programming. Please consider helping. Use our online donation form and write "Go-Getters appeal" in the comments section. Or call Janette Rodriguez  at 313.297.1372.

   Results

• Helps about 60 persons a day
• Serves 1500 hot meals per month
• Helped hundreds of homeless persons take their first steps toward recovery

Since it began in 1995, the staff at Go-Getters has enabled hundreds of men and women to receive the services they need to recover from mental illness. Go-Getters’ staff are in recovery from mental illness themselves, and they provide a sense of trust, hope and motivation for those they serve in the program.

Go-Getters News 2012 Holiday party celebrates families recovering from homelessness Ford volunteers help at Go-Getters (December 2012) Photo essay: The charitable spirit of the season Ford volunteers at Go-Getters and Larkins ELC (December 2011) Empty Bowls 2011 draws 150 people and raises $5000 for Go-Getters Celebration of the life of Melanie Ortiz (1952 - 2011) MGM Grand team donates and delivers food and items to Go-Getters Ford volunteers install community garden at Go-Getters (May 2011) New food pantry and kitchen improvements at Go-Getters help alleviate hunger Ford volunteers build food pantry at Go-Getters How Go-Getters stretches every dollar to help those of little means Illness Management and Recovery group lets consumers help each other to recover Artist Elizabeth Sutton teaches at Go-Getters Homeless Drop-in Center Read Shirley Cockrell's story in a speech she delivered at Solutions at Sunrise Go-Getters consumers hurt by cutbacks Counseling programs cut by 10% because of state cutbacks Photography classes at Go-Getters taught by Oneita Porter Shirley Cockrell named "Consumer of the Year" by BHPi Fox2-TV profiles our Supportive Housing program and Go-Getters Fox2-TV story on Love Ezell's family reunion at Go-Getters Go-Getters moves into Vernor facility as Fisher Clubhouse closes Crain's: Flinn Foundation grant to Southwest Counseling for illness management Mental health "2008 Empowerment Day" draws 400 consumers