About Us
Grass Lake Sanctuary
A Retreat Center for Life Balancing Connections
Mission
Our Mission is to provide dynamic retreat experiences and programs focused on nature, relationship building, creativity from the heart, foods for health, de-stressing and rejuvenation services. GLS sets out to help people integrate this experience back into their lives through follow-up coaching and community resources.
Vision
Our Vision is to be the national model for research-based programs and retreats with an emphasis on integrating Life Balancing Connections back into everyday life.
Background
GLS was officially founded in July 2007, by a group of volunteers who wished to pool their resources and make a unique retreat sanctuary available to the community at large. The last couple of years have been spent preparing and restoring the land while building partnerships within the community that provide funding through grants and donations, making programs possible for people in need. With a fresh commitment to service, the organization has grown in volunteers and skills – our volunteers have logged over 30,000 hours of work! Our next step is to run pilot programs, expand our volunteer and donor bases, and launch our retreats for the general public.
The 145 acre Grass Lake Sanctuary property is being acquired from the late Dr. Clark Spike, who was a retired Eastern Michigan Chemistry Professor who took an early retirement to return to farm life. Clark spent the 38 years sculpting the natural landscape according to how it spoke to him on his daily care taking journeys through the property. Clark came to a point where he and his family were unable to continue caring for the land. Clark yearned for an organization to carry on his legacy and put his hard earned 38 years toward reaching children, people and families. He put out a call for local stewards to take over and transform this nature preserve into a sanctuary that serves the community. As one of the last parcels this size in the southeastern Michigan area, our organization felt the need to put it on display, and bring forth the Sanctuary’s vision.
(New Board of Directors will be updated soon!)
Click here to meet our Board of Directors!
Honorary Board
Ed Boullion || ED, Michigan From The Heart
Wileta Burch || Founder, Global Community
Paul Saginaw || Owner, Zingerman’s
Liz Goodenough, PhD. || Professor, University of Michigan Residential College
Sara Warber, MD || Director, University of Michigan School of Integrative Medicine
Howdy Holmes || President, Chelsea Milling Co
Ari Weinzweig || Owner, Zingerman’s
Jan McDermott || Owner and Innkeeper at Davies House Inn Georgetown Bed and Breakfast
Bill Zirinsky || Owner, Bookstore
For more details about our living model & ways to get involved or support please contact us directly or call:
