About Us

Origins

David and Florence Reece were longtime residents of Midland County. they had three children: Nancy, Sandra, and William. William was born with Down Syndrome and according to doctors, would be disabled for life. The Reece family soon discovered there were very few resources to help with their son's care, so along with other parents of disabled children, founded the Midland Association of Retarded Children (MARC). Its mission was to promote programs for children with mental retardation.

David Reece died in 1956 and his memorials were contributed to MARC, which established the David Reece Fund. Over the years, as that fund grew, it eventually became the seed for the current Reece Community Living Endeavor. Today, the Reece children continue to actively support the mission of the Reece Endeavor.

Reece Endeavor

The Reece Community Living Endeavor, established in 1957 and located in Midland, Michigan, is committed to helping individuals with a range of disabilities live in decent, affordable housing. The Reece Endeavor currently owns more than 30 homes throughout Midland County.

First Home Purchased

The original David Reece Fund, now almost 50 years old, had a humble beginning, with $1130 left in memory of David L. Reece. His family and friends worked diligently on fundraising over the next 16 years, until in 1973 when the Reece Fund was able to purchase its first home on West Carpenter. The home remains in use today.

Transitions

After several years of experience with purchasing homes for disabled residents, or those individuals transferring out of group or family homes, the Reece Fund was faced with a new request.

In 1989, Tim Bartlett, a young man with developmental disabilities, his family and his Circle of Friends facilitated through the Arc of Midland, requested the Reece Fund purchase a home for Tim. The Fund would, in turn, rent the home to Tim.

The concept was that Tim would share the home with two people who would help with the rent and become housemates for Tim. Tim would receive assistance from a staff, hired and paid for by the Department of Social Services and Community Mental Health.

While this was a different concept from what the Reece Fund Board of Directors was accustomed to, it quickly became apparent that the value of permanency for Tim and his acceptance in the community, made this an exceptional model for future activities.

Success was immediately evident. Many other Midland families chose to follow in Tim's footsteps, forming circles of support for their children with disabilities. they were looking for permanency in their children's living situations, which drove the need for Midland's Supported Community Living model.

Utilization of this concept has dramatically increased in the ensuing years, and the mission of the Reece Fund was changed to:

Provide and maintain affordable housing and to explore housing opportunities for the support of individuals with disabilities in Midland County.

In 1997 the Fund, which began with the Reece family's search for permanency for William, became known as The Reece Community Living Endeavor.

Funding

The Reece Endeavor is supported through foundation grants, Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), Federal Housing programs, Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), individual contributions, memorials, endowments and fundraising activities, including our Annual Garden Walk.

What the Program Offers

The Reece Endeavor is committed to helping individuals with disabilities live in decent, affordable housing. It does not "place" individuals in homes. Instead, individuals along with their support system of family, friends and professionals join in a decision-making process to best match people with available homes.

While the homes are owned by The Reece Endeavor, maintenance responsibilities are shared with the tenant. Individuals interested in participating with the Endeavor program must:

• Have a disability which requires intervention
• Receive support services from another agency to ensure success in the community.
• Be willing to abide by a rental agreement
• Have a desire to live in a a house.

Please contact the Reece Community Living Endeavor with any questions about the Endeavor or about local agencies providing assistance to people with disabilities.