Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from LADD, Mental Health Service, 300 Whitney Street, Dowagiac, MI.
Living Alternatives for the Developmentally Disabled, Inc.(LADD), provides services in Calhoun, Cass, Berrien and Van Buren Counties to vulnerable adults and children with various disabilities.
02/21/2026
🌟 Professional Caregiver – 2nd Shift, Starting Pay: $17.13/hour
If you’re someone who brings comfort, confidence, and compassion wherever you go, this is your chance to turn those strengths into meaningful work. Join a team where your care truly changes lives. Interview this week, potentially start this week. Open interviews on Tuesdays from 1 pm to 3 pm and Wednesday 11:30 am to 2 pm at 300 Whitney Street, Dowagiac, MI (behind Taco Bell). Other interview times may be available; call 269-782-0654.
đź’› About the Role
As a Professional Caregiver on our 2nd shift, you’ll be a trusted source of support for individuals who need assistance with daily living. Your presence will help people feel safe, respected, and valued. In this role, you will:
• Provide personal care with dignity and empathy
• Assist with mobility, meals, hygiene, and daily routines
• Offering companionship that brightens each day
• Observe and report changes in a person’s well-being
• Maintain a safe, clean, and encouraging environment
đźš— Requirements
• Valid driver’s license
• Shifts include the ability to work every other weekend
• Strong reliability in attendance — your consistency makes all the difference
• Professionalism, compassion, and a genuine passion for helping others.
🚀 Why You’ll Love This Opportunity
• Starting pay of $17.13/hour
• A role where your kindness has a real impact
• A supportive team that values your dedication
• A workplace that celebrates compassion and professionalism
🌟 Who You Are
You’re someone who:
• Leads with patience, respect, and genuine care
• Communicates clearly and listens with intention
• Handles challenges with calm confidence
• Shows integrity, dependability, and commitment in everything you do
We are Hiring Apply Now! Employee Referral Bonus // WHAT'S MISSING IN YOUR LIFE? Join Our Team MAKE THE DIFFERENCE Don't wait, we're hiring now! Join our team and help us to MAKE THE DIFFERENCE in the lives of people each and every day! Apply Now! More Info LADD Compliance and Anonymous Reporting Li...
02/21/2026
✨ Happy Weekend! ✨
Take a moment to rest, recharge, and enjoy the little things that make you smile. Enjoy the weather!
02/18/2026
📣 We’re hiring! Come work with purpose 💙
LADD is holding open interviews every Tuesday (1–3pm) and Wednesday (11:30am–2pm) in Dowagiac, MI for Professional Care Technicians!
âś… $17.13/hr
âś… Paid on-the-job training
âś… Holiday & birthday pay
âś… Medical, dental & vision insurance
âś… Career growth opportunities
âś… Paid excursions, and more!
Make a difference in your community while building a meaningful career supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.
đź“Ť300 Whitney, Dowagiac, MI
🗓️ Must be 18+ to apply
02/17/2026
Happy Presidents’ Day from LADD 🇺🇸 It’s a day to acknowledge leadership and the role it plays in shaping our communities, and we wish everyone a restful and positive holiday.
02/15/2026
❤️Everything we build starts with care, intention, and attention to detail. We’re grateful for everyone who continues to support and believe in the work. ❤️Happy Valentine's Day from LADD.❤️❤️
02/13/2026
It’s almost Friday 🙌 Don’t forget your mental health matters too. Take a moment to pause, breathe, and carry kind thoughts into the weekend đź’✨ Whether it’s resting, reconnecting with loved ones, or doing something that makes you smile, remember that small acts of care go a long way. Let’s end the week with intention and positivity.
02/12/2026
Happy Wednesday! Take a moment to breathe, reset, and focus on what’s going right today. The week’s not over yet, there’s still time to make it amazing.
02/10/2026
Happy Monday from LADD! 🌟 We know the start of the week can feel tough sometimes, but remember, each new Monday brings fresh opportunities and a chance to reset. 💪 Try incorporating mindful habits like deep breathing, taking breaks, or setting small goals to keep your mind calm and focused.
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Steven had been living independently in his own apartment for several years, with the natural support of his mother. In August of 2017, his weight was at his heaviest at 426 lbs. He was fully dependent on his natural support for all of his needs including sponge baths, dressing, hygiene, and transferring into his wheelchair. Steven was able to utilize public transportation at this time and could come and go; had his own visitors; however, he said he was making very poor food choices resulting in continued weight gain. Due to this weight gain, he now required more support and assistance than his natural support was able to provide. Steven decided he could no longer live independently and needed to seek additional supports.
After visiting Oak Grove, which is a Licensed Residential Home, Steven and his mom decided he wanted to move in. Steven had challenging’s in getting around now due to his weight gain since his wheelchair would not fit onto the traditional van lifts. Steven had to utilize different transportation busses to arrive at Oak Grove when he first moved in. Steven said moving into Oak Grove was a culture shock for him. He was dependent for the first few months on support staff because he was unable to care for himself in the most basic ways. It took support staff to help him move around, as he no longer could do this independently. Steven was unable to access the community due to the limitations his weight gain had imposed on him. He was unable to walk or even bear weight. Steven said he felt hopeless and angry and his only comfort was food. He had forgotten what independence felt like.
Steven soon started losing weight and building relationships. A completely new world began to open up. Steven chose to reduce his calorie intake, it did not take long for the weight to start falling off. Once this occurred, Steven had a completely new set of short-term goals that he wanted to meet and with the support of Oak Grove staff; they helped Steven to achieve his goals. The first major achievement was when Steven was able to achieve taking a shower for the first time in many years. How good that must have felt! He slowly began to assist in dressing himself with little support from staff. The things we all take for granted were reasons for Steven to celebrate! Steven continued to lose weight and was able to gain his independence back, planning community outings with his housemates and support staffing utilizing the home van. Steven continued to progress with being able to dress himself including putting on and taking off his own shoes. Steven also began to work on household chores such as taking out the trash. Before long, Steven was bearing weight and was walking with a walker and getting in and out of bed with very limited assistance.
Steven was now able to get himself dressed while standing up. It was not always easy for Steven to see himself any other way then he had been for years, so with this came many emotional changes. These changes were sometimes harder to overcome then the physical ones. His confidence was low and he needed support and words of encouragement. Steven’s newfound freedom, support and encouragement from his support staff and housemates helped him to be able to go shopping and learn to make healthy choices for himself and learn the hardest lesson of all “portion control”. Steven was not only helping himself but also learning the value and joy of helping others. He learned the lesson of honesty and accountability by the loss and gain of a few pounds during his weight loss journey.
It was soon evident that Steven was outgrowing the care that Oak Grove provided. He was excited at the prospect of moving to a Supported Independent Apartment, with the support he received from his Case Manager, family, and support staff he knew it was time to explore new options. Although Steven liked Oak grove’s scenery, country setting and sitting in the backyard with family and friends, he was ready to move to greater independence. (He also liked picking on the Maintenance Man that came to Oak grove). Steven visited an apartment in Niles where he visited with the people and support staff there to see if this is the right fit for him. Steven then decided it was time for him to move to Broadway, a Supported Independent Apartment where he is able to work towards greater independence. Steven’s eventual goal is to move into his own apartment with little to no staffing supports in the future. Steven is very proud of his current weight of 264lbs and the fact that his is no longer a borderline diabetic.
“Staff knew I could do it. They said change is frightening at first, but keep doing what you’re doing. I am glad to be back in Niles to be able to do more stuff and use public transportation. I am getting used to my new housemates and learning all about them. I want to reach 250 lbs., and be able to dance at my niece’s wedding and go to Disneyland. My advice is to try to portion your food, exercise, watch calories/sugar, just keep going, and drink protein smoothies and diet green tea. My family, friends, staff believe in me, and I believe in myself! I also love women with long gorgeous hair and have a sense of humor.” Steven
