"Fighting The Challenges of Homeless Re-entry, One Home Design At A Time"

  Picking Up The Pieces ® was founded by a single Mother who went through the shelter process with a child, knowing that the only thing worse than being homeless was walking into a home with nothing in it. Having to lay on the floor because the home- despite its working lights, gas, and water – was empty and felt like shelter. Torn between paying the electricity bill or buying a bed to sleep on was one of the worst feelings. It is our goal at Picking Up The Pieces ® to provide families with gently used and donated items to help make the transition from homelessness to housing a little easier and to help fight the challenges of homeless re-entry in Michigan. So here we are "Picking Up The Pieces For Families, One Home Design At A Time".

  I’m the single Mother you read about in “our story”. My name is Shana and I now have two beautiful children. I have worked in a professional medical environment for almost 13 years, but my passion has always been helping people, and I love interior design. I’ve never been a fancy interior designer, but my Mother has always told me, “You’re always making something out of nothing, Shana”.  I have volunteered for numerous homeless shelters and organizations and have been a part of my community as long as I can remember. It is my life’s passion to help reduce the challenges of homeless reentry and help families regain a sense of “home” when they walk through their door I am dedicated to making sure that happens with every family I encounter. 

•   Compassion: We care deeply and believe everyone deserves to belong, be safe, to live a life of their choosing. We listen to understand the needs of our community. 
• Community: We believe in the value of healthy, lasting relationships between our staff, board, community partners and families, and to do our part to contribute to the communities we are part of. 
• Innovation: We embrace continuous improvement, bold creativity, and change.
• Diversity: We value the different skills, strengths, and perspectives we all have. 
• Integrity: We act with fairness, honesty, transparency, and accountability.

 At Picking Up The Pieces we encourage different perspectives. It allows us to see the world more clearly,  and with a clearer view, we can all see more and achieve more in the community. At Picking Up The  Pieces it is our priority and commitment to diversity, in all of its forms, is significant. We believe that  diversity includes appreciation and respect of differences in race and ethnicity, gender and sexual  orientation, religious affiliation, age, and life experience, nationally, language, physical capabilities, and  all the many forms of identity that shape our worldview. We are committed to diversity not only because  it helps us better serve the communities, but also because we believe it’s the right.

We expect each of us  no matter what our level, role, or function is to play an active role in creating environments where  people of a diverse range of backgrounds are excited to bring all of who they are and do their best work.  

We aim to: Create and maintain a culture of inclusivity - Proactively seek initiatives of our diversity, equity, and inclusion committee -   Focus on working together to build and foster a truly diverse and inclusive environment in which every person feels valued, empowered, and heard - Maintain and grow the diversity of staff, board, and supporters - Adopt processes, procedures, and practices aimed at becoming a leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

We will do this by: Raise diversity, equity, and inclusion awareness through training, programs, partnerships, and activities - Meet with and encourage leadership to look to hire a more diverse staff - Create procedures for designers to follow to help be attentive to clients needs and sensitivities - Seek  feedback from staff, clients, and volunteers to understand opportunities for improvement - Annually, review and assess our performance