“Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.”

Mission Statement

The purpose of the Alano House of SW Michigan is to provide facilities for meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, for special activities of AA members and their families; to promote the flow of information on alcoholism, and create an awareness and understanding of the illness of alcoholism throughout the community.

HISTORY

The Alano House of Southwest Michigan
4162 Red Arrow Highway Stevensville, MI 49127
(269) 429-9153

The local AA group started in 1945 with three members. With the addition of members, they met in homes, churches, and elsewhere until 1966 when they leased the present building.

Early in 1967 the group had about 50 members, and 27 of them secured the services of an attorney to form the Alano House, under charter from the State of Michigan as a non-profit making organization. Five (5) members were selected as officers, (minimum state requirement) and also functioned as the fund-raising committee with the prime intent of buying the building. It was decided the committee had to be small to avoid constant bickering and stalemating. In addition, the members of the committee had to have strong constitutions because of constant harassment and disagreement with the rest of the members of the House. About a dozen members of the AA Group decided not to go along with the rest, apparently concerned about impending failure and financial ruin of the group. This same dozen still met in homes and did not participate in the Alano House.

The five (5) selected members approached two locally prominent industrialists with a proposal consisting of pictures of the building and grounds, the purchase price, building contents and proposed operations and functions, seeking direction and enough capital for a down payment and operating expenses. These two industrialists saw merit in the proposal and presented the proposal to an organization called AREA RESOURCES IMPROVEMENT COUNCIL (ARlC), whose function was to investigate requests for contributions and, if approved, coordinate industrial contributions. ARlC secured a $15,000 contribution from local industries, with a maximum donation of $1,000 from any single contributor, thus avoiding any interference from or obligation to a large contributor.

The property, of slightly less than four acres, included the main building (a former restaurant and catering service) and a caretaker’s cottage. It had a price tag of $42,000. In June, 1967, the Alano House made a $10,000 down payment on the property, holding the remaining $5,000 for operating expense. Over the next nine years there were many financial problems. Individual members helped with not only monetary contributions, but also time and materials to keep the House operating. The $32,000 mortgage was paid in October, 1976.

In the spring 1977 a small second mortgage was secured. Over the next few years it was used for building and grounds improvement, which included new floor covering, central air conditioning, heating for the main meeting room, new floor covering for a coffee and refreshment room, new carpet for the parlor, the floor covering for the entrance way and stairway. Both parking lots were black-topped and connected with a black-topped drive behind the main building. Painted parking spaces and traffic-flow arrows were added, along with the shuffleboard court on the back of the main parking lot. When these improvements were started in 1977, there were approximately 50 members of the Alano House, plus an estimated additional 150 AA members.

By 1986 it was apparent, due the growing membership, that more room and general improvements were needed. During 1986-88, $250,000 was raised from the AA membership and businesses that were sympathetic to its cause. This money, in addition to a mortgage, was used to quadruple both the AA meeting room area and the Al-Anon area. Old windows and doors were replaced with thermopane, restrooms were enlarged, and a new ventilation system, along with an electrical service panel were installed. A new kitchen was built in the Al-Anon area. New carpet, window blinds, tables, chairs, and room dividers were added throughout the building. The old section was repaired and repainted, and a new metal entryway to the basement was built. Also, a handicapped ramp was added along the north side of the Al-Anon addition which makes the entire building handicap accessible.

The new Al-Anon addition removed the need for meeting rooms on the second floor, allowing the caretaker’s apartment to be enlarged and remodeled in the upstairs area. The new basement area is presently being used for dances and some meetings.

A new parking lot was added to the rear of the property doubling the parking capacity. Basketball, volleyball and horseshoe facilities were installed. At the end of construction a large pavilion was erected with a brick barbecue pit and heavy-duty picnic tables.

In 1988 there was a House membership of 170 people and an active AA membership of 700-800 people.

In November, 1989, the Michigan Department of Transportation offered a settlement for needed property fronting Red Arrow Highway, to widen the road. The money allowed the recent mortgage to be paid off in full.

In 1990, a new lighted sign, planter box, and 43′ lighted flag pole were installed.

The purpose of the Alano House organization is to provide facilities for meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous, for special activities of AA members and their families; to promote the flow of information on alcoholism, and create an awareness and understanding of the illness of alcoholism throughout the community.

The Alano House is a non-profit organization managed by a seven member Board of Directors

Since the original publication of the history of the Alano House in October 1991, many things have changed.

In 1992 the House celebrated its 25^th Year Anniversary.

Some of the physical changes to the house are as follows: Some remodeling of the upstairs apartment and other areas of the house has taken place. The roof has been redone. First the old section of the house, then part of the addition. A new air conditioning unit was installed in the addition area of the house. Locks have been added for security purposes, and a central key box was made for all keys. The old non-smoking area ceiling was replaced, and the bathrooms upgraded. A partial fence was added to the parking area on the north side of the building. The outside basement door, old basement, was replaced. Programmable thermostats were installed to the furnaces. A new copy machine was purchased and archiving of old meeting minutes completed and filed in the house office, located in the new basement area. The parking lot was repaved and striped.

Entertainment duties have bounced from the House Board to the Steering Committee, but many functions have been put on by both groups. From car washes to picnics, members have once again proved that there is fun in sobriety.

Berrien County has imposed a smoking ban on businesses and Non Profit Organization’s. The Alano House complied, and the world did not end.

Red Arrow Group AA holds some 34 meetings per week for alcoholics and Al-Anon still holds several meetings a week for family members of alcoholics. The House Board of Directors still takes care of the house business and maintains the facility in a fashion becoming of the founding fathers, who so thoughtfully provided the “BY-LAWS” for direction.

Many have volunteered their time and efforts to keep this facility in good shape, and this Board thanks all those who pitched in. Please remember, through your efforts this house is able to serve the recovering alcoholic and their families. Service is the program in action.

Image Gallery

The Image Gallery is filled with fairly recent images, except the iconic black and white one. The black and white one dates pre 1982 and is named “A Refuge From The Storm”. The photo was taken by a woman who got sober at the the Alano House of SW Michigan. She later went on to study photography in New York and became a successful photographer.

Click or tap on image to view full size