“The purpose of support groups is to provide education, encouragement and emotional support for adults who are experiencing vision decline or loss of sight.”
Allegan County
Allegan United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall
409 Trowbridge, Allegan, MI
First Monday of the month, March through December, at 10:30 am
Ionia County
Green Acres Assisted Living Facility
2550 Commerce Lane, Ionia, MI
Groups forming. Call Cherie at 458-1187 for more information.
Kent County
ABVI
456 Cherry SE, Grand Rapids, MI
First Monday of the month at 9:45 am
Active Adults
Fridays 1:00 pm
RP Ushers Support Group at ABVI
456 Cherry SE, Grand Rapids, MI
Fourth Tuesday of the month at 2:00 pm
Northern Kent County Support Group
Richter Place Apartments, 9101 Courtland NE, Rockford, MI
Second Wednesday of the month at 12:45 pm
Mason/Oceana Counties
Ludington Senior Center
308 South Rowe, Ludington, MI
Third Monday of the month at 1:30 pm
Mecosta County
Mecosta County Senior Center
12954 – 80th Ave., Mecosta, MI
Fourth Wednesday of the month, March through October, at 1:00 pm
Montcalm County
Commission on Aging
613 N. State Street, Stanton, MI
Fourth Wednesday of the month at 10:00 am
Newaygo County
United Way Lakeshore
31 E. Clay, Muskegon, MI
Third Wednesday of the month at 10:30 am
Newaygo County
Hesperia Library Community Room
80 South Division, Hesperia, MI
Second and fourth Monday at 1:00 pm (Second Monday only in May, November and December). Call (800) 466-8084 for times.
Ottawa County
Village at the Pines
1450 S. Ferry Street, Grand Haven, MI
Second Tuesday of the month at 9:30 am
Royal Park Place
500 Parkside Dr, Zeeland, MI
Fourth Monday of the month at 2:00 pm
The Village at Appledoorn
630 Hastings Ave, Holland, MI
Fourth Monday of the month at 9:30 am
One word… LIFELINE! I had recently lost my husband, my sister and then my vision. I was one angry woman. (Social Worker) Cheri got me through my dark days. She is such a good listener. She gets you re-routed. I have turned a corner because of my counseling sessions with Cheri. Same thing with the Support Groups… LIFELINE! I am grateful my daughter encou aged me to come to ABVI. Sometimes you need a good shove!"
-Elizabeth Book
Other Meetings
“I’ve been going to the ABVI Support Group for over 15 years. It’s a very beneficial group. I like meeting lots of people from all different backgrounds. When you have a support group to belong to, it is very encouraging for those of us with eye conditions. We learn from each other. My vision keeps changing. I have to keep adapting. The group has been so helpful. We also learn from the people who lead the group. (Social Workers) John and Cheri have very sensitive approaches and attitudes. We do it together. Don’t give up! Get moving! Keep moving!
-Jane Scholtens
For additional information contact:
John McElheron
Social Worker
800-466-8084 ext 331
616-458-1187 ext 331
jmcelheron@abvimichigan.org
Cheri Fox, LLMSW
Social Worker
800-466-8084 ext 331
616-458-1187 ext. 331
cfox@abvimichigan.org
I’ve been going to the Grand Rapids Support Group for close to 20 years. The group encourages everyone to share. When people come, I listen to them all. They don’t feel that they are the only ones with eye conditions anymore. They are among friends. We become one big family.
-Barb Bailey