WHO WE ARE
The Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH) has grown out of a concern for the underlying causes of homelessness. While the ICRH, its community partners, and the guests work toward eliminating those causes, we realize the need is immediate and urgent for individuals who need shelter. Our short-term goal is to provide a safe, warm place for those in our community who need shelter for as many winter nights as possible.
In seven years of providing emergency shelter, the ICRH has experienced exponential growth in guests from an average of 9 guests per night in the inaugural season of 2012-2013, to 30 guests today. There is clear evidence that homelessness in Isabella County is real and the need for emergency shelter is on the rise.
DEE OBRECHT
Executive DirectorDee, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Community Service from CMU, brings experience at the Executive Director level from her time at both the Criminal Justice Chaplaincy in Grand Rapids and the Child and Family Enrichment Council in Mount Pleasant. In addition, she previously served as the Regional Coordinator of the Children's Trust Fund. She is excited to lead ICRH in achieving our strategic goals and advancing the efforts in coming years.
WADE DAVIS
Day Shelter ManagerWade Davis is from the local area and graduated from Shepherd High School. He is married and has five children and ten grandchildren. He served in the United States Air Force for ten years and recently graduated from CMU with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Currently, he is pursuing his Master’s degree in Social Work at Ferris State University. For the past four years, Wade has worked with the homeless population by volunteering at the soup kitchen as a cook, as well as working with veterans in finding the resources available for them to feel that they are a big part of our communities. Wade has also worked in the local community in helping out the recreational baseball program in the Shepherd and Mt. Pleasant areas. He is looking forward to helping make changes in society alongside others that share his passion for assisting people in achieving their goals and becoming successful individuals.
MARC MANKOWSKI
Community Engagement LiaisonMarc grew up in Mt. Pleasant and attended Alma College where he earned his degree in business administration and secondary education. After graduating, he taught business and technology at the middle and high school level. His dedication to our youth led him to direct and manage experiential education programs for students in the USA, Tanzania, and Cambodia where community service was a focal point of the curriculum. These programs fueled his passion to help others and is now excited to help coordinate those efforts in his hometown. In his free time, Marc enjoys spending time with his family, hunting, fishing, and camping in the outdoors.
THE BOARD
Norma Bailey
Rebecca Dingus
Joyce Hendricks
Jeremy Howard
Tobin Hope
William Joseph
Kristen Kendrick
Angela Maney
Kelly Murphy
Cindy Schumacher
Don Systema
Kim Voisin
Terrie Zitzelsberger
