Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from LADD, Mental Health Service, 300 Whitney Street, Dowagiac, MI.
Living Alternatives for the Developmentally Disabled, Inc.(LADD), provides services in Calhoun, Cass, Berrien and Van Buren Counties to vulnerable adults and children with various disabilities.
12/12/2025
Access to fresh, healthy food should never be out of reach. 🥬
Throughout the month, pantries across Calhoun, Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren Counties are offering free groceries and produce to those in need.
📍 Each pantry has its own time and location, so be sure to check the flyer before heading out. Bring a box or bags if you can, and come early — supplies go quickly!
These food distributions are made possible through dedicated volunteers, local partners, and Feeding, working together to make sure every family in our community has what they need this season.
12/12/2025
It’s almost Friday 🙌 Don’t forget your mental health matters too. Take a moment to pause, breathe, and carry kind thoughts into the weekend 💭✨ Whether it’s resting, reconnecting with loved ones, or doing something that makes you smile, remember that small acts of care go a long way. Let’s end the week with intention and positivity.
12/10/2025
📣 LADD is hiring!!!! Come work with purpose!!! 💙
✅ $16.60/hr
✅ Paid on-the-job training
✅ Holiday & birthday pay
✅ Medical, dental & vision insurance
✅ Career growth opportunities
✅ Paid excursions, and more!
Make a difference in your community while building a meaningful career supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.
📍300 Whitney, Dowagiac, MI
🗓️ Must be 18+ to apply
12/09/2025
🎁 Toys for Tots Donation Drive! 🎁
This holiday season, LADD is proud to support Toys for Tots! A donation box is now available in our lobby for anyone who would like to give a toy and help bring joy to a child in need.
All contributions, big or small, make a difference. Stop by and drop off your donation today — let’s make this season brighter together! 🌟
📍300 Whitney St. Dowagiac, MI 49047
12/03/2025
🥕 Mobile Pantry Today! 🥕
Feeding America West Michigan will be at Caring Cupboard at Woodland Shores in Bridgman today at 4:30 PM!
📍 3555 W. Shawnee Rd, Bridgman, MI
🚗 Please do not arrive before 3:45 PM — volunteers will direct traffic for everyone’s safety.
All are welcome — no registration required. Let’s continue to fight hunger together this holiday season. 💚
12/02/2025
12/02/2025
Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 💙
We join the global community in recognizing and celebrating the achievements, creativity, and resilience of people with disabilities. This day reminds us of the importance of accessibility, inclusion, and equity, not as goals, but as everyday commitments. Together, we continue working toward a world where everyone has the opportunity to live, work, and thrive as their authentic selves. ♿🌍
12/02/2025
🛒 Berrien County Mobile Pantry Schedule — December 2nd to 23rd, 2025
Feeding America West Michigan continues to serve our community with drive-through mobile food pantries across Berrien County.
📍 Check the full list of dates and locations above — from Sawyer to Coloma — and please note specific arrival times for safety.
💚 Everyone is welcome. No registration required.
Together, we can make sure no one goes hungry this holiday season.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when LADD posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Steven had been living independently in his own apartment for several years, with the natural support of his mother. In August of 2017, his weight was at his heaviest at 426 lbs. He was fully dependent on his natural support for all of his needs including sponge baths, dressing, hygiene, and transferring into his wheelchair. Steven was able to utilize public transportation at this time and could come and go; had his own visitors; however, he said he was making very poor food choices resulting in continued weight gain. Due to this weight gain, he now required more support and assistance than his natural support was able to provide. Steven decided he could no longer live independently and needed to seek additional supports.
After visiting Oak Grove, which is a Licensed Residential Home, Steven and his mom decided he wanted to move in. Steven had challenging’s in getting around now due to his weight gain since his wheelchair would not fit onto the traditional van lifts. Steven had to utilize different transportation busses to arrive at Oak Grove when he first moved in. Steven said moving into Oak Grove was a culture shock for him. He was dependent for the first few months on support staff because he was unable to care for himself in the most basic ways. It took support staff to help him move around, as he no longer could do this independently. Steven was unable to access the community due to the limitations his weight gain had imposed on him. He was unable to walk or even bear weight. Steven said he felt hopeless and angry and his only comfort was food. He had forgotten what independence felt like.
Steven soon started losing weight and building relationships. A completely new world began to open up. Steven chose to reduce his calorie intake, it did not take long for the weight to start falling off. Once this occurred, Steven had a completely new set of short-term goals that he wanted to meet and with the support of Oak Grove staff; they helped Steven to achieve his goals. The first major achievement was when Steven was able to achieve taking a shower for the first time in many years. How good that must have felt! He slowly began to assist in dressing himself with little support from staff. The things we all take for granted were reasons for Steven to celebrate! Steven continued to lose weight and was able to gain his independence back, planning community outings with his housemates and support staffing utilizing the home van. Steven continued to progress with being able to dress himself including putting on and taking off his own shoes. Steven also began to work on household chores such as taking out the trash. Before long, Steven was bearing weight and was walking with a walker and getting in and out of bed with very limited assistance.
Steven was now able to get himself dressed while standing up. It was not always easy for Steven to see himself any other way then he had been for years, so with this came many emotional changes. These changes were sometimes harder to overcome then the physical ones. His confidence was low and he needed support and words of encouragement. Steven’s newfound freedom, support and encouragement from his support staff and housemates helped him to be able to go shopping and learn to make healthy choices for himself and learn the hardest lesson of all “portion control”. Steven was not only helping himself but also learning the value and joy of helping others. He learned the lesson of honesty and accountability by the loss and gain of a few pounds during his weight loss journey.
It was soon evident that Steven was outgrowing the care that Oak Grove provided. He was excited at the prospect of moving to a Supported Independent Apartment, with the support he received from his Case Manager, family, and support staff he knew it was time to explore new options. Although Steven liked Oak grove’s scenery, country setting and sitting in the backyard with family and friends, he was ready to move to greater independence. (He also liked picking on the Maintenance Man that came to Oak grove). Steven visited an apartment in Niles where he visited with the people and support staff there to see if this is the right fit for him. Steven then decided it was time for him to move to Broadway, a Supported Independent Apartment where he is able to work towards greater independence. Steven’s eventual goal is to move into his own apartment with little to no staffing supports in the future. Steven is very proud of his current weight of 264lbs and the fact that his is no longer a borderline diabetic.
“Staff knew I could do it. They said change is frightening at first, but keep doing what you’re doing. I am glad to be back in Niles to be able to do more stuff and use public transportation. I am getting used to my new housemates and learning all about them. I want to reach 250 lbs., and be able to dance at my niece’s wedding and go to Disneyland. My advice is to try to portion your food, exercise, watch calories/sugar, just keep going, and drink protein smoothies and diet green tea. My family, friends, staff believe in me, and I believe in myself! I also love women with long gorgeous hair and have a sense of humor.” Steven
