From Addiction to Action: Celebrating 25 Years of Mothers of Hope’s Service to the Kalamazoo Community

Mothers of Hope, a Kalamazoo-based nonprofit organization founded by Gwendolyn Lanier and Delores Johnson, is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Both Lanier and Johnson, now 35 and 34 years sober, respectively, were once addicted to drugs and alcohol and faced severe life crises, including Johnson losing custody of her children. They established Mothers of Hope to support individuals and families dealing with substance use disorder. The organization offers various services, including recovery meetings, diaper distribution, and community events. In 2020, the nonprofit handed out $8,500 worth of prepaid laundry cards and $3,400 for detergents to support families affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The city of Kalamazoo issued a proclamation acknowledging the organization’s contributions. An annual Walk for Recovery event is planned for August 5 to honor those recovering from substance use disorders and encourage others to start their recovery journey.

Main Takeaways:

1. Mothers of Hope, founded by two former addicts, Gwendolyn Lanier and Delores Johnson, is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
2. The organization supports people dealing with substance use disorder and their families in Kalamazoo.
3. Services offered by Mothers of Hope include recovery meetings, community events, diaper distribution, and more.
4. They handed out $8,500 worth of prepaid laundry cards and $3,400 for detergents in 2020 to families most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
5. The city of Kalamazoo acknowledged the contributions of the organization with a proclamation.
6. The nonprofit’s fourth annual Walk for Recovery event will be held on August 5.
7. Lanier and Johnson have been sober for 35 and 34 years, respectively, and aim to continue helping others reclaim their lives from substance abuse.

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