our story
Chosen Vision was founded by a group of individuals who were interested in establishing a group home for developmentally disabled adults that would meet their social and emotional needs. Eleanor Tobey was instrumental in bringing this group together and she served as President of the Board for the first nine years of the organization’s history. The organization was officially incorporated as a non-profit organization with the state of Michigan on July 26, 1991. In September of 1992, Chosen Vision, Inc. was granted exemption from federal income taxes in accordance with section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, thereby enabling all contributions to the organization to be exempt from federal taxes.
Chosen Vision struggled for many years to raise the money required to begin the serious undertaking of operating a small group home. Parents and friends met to discuss various means for developing a place that would provide a suitable living arrangement in a safe, secure, Christian environment. They had a dream – a vision – and they worked to prepare a viable plan.
Through the commitment of many volunteers and board members, and the generous contributions of a core of donors, the original goal to develop a home for developmentally disabled adults became a reality on August 1, 2001.
Chosen Vision is able to provide a quality program that enables each resident to live up to her own potential within a caring Faith Based environment because of the generosity of our donor community. We are grateful to God who by His providence has brought together 24 very special individuals as residents and a group of caring and conscientious staff. We thank each donor for being a part of making the vision an enduring reality!
On behalf of Chosen Vision Board and Staff, we want you to know that we are dedicated to meeting the needs of Developmental Disabled population.
vision and purpose
Chosen Vision provides a quality, safe and purposeful living environment for the developmentally disabled. Our homes enable each resident to grow and reach their own potential within a caring and nurturing environment. Our residents thrive and find joy and meaning in each day. In addition to our home in Grand Ledge, we have three homes in DeWitt and a fifth home in Westphalia, in 2023.
Our residents live together as a family in a supportive structure. Individualized monitored programs challenge residents through education, training and development of social skills. Residents work in the community/shelter workshops. Our DeWitt homes are structured toward independent living, empowering our residents with responsibilities. With guidance from staff, they take care of personal finances, cook meals, do household chores, arrange transportation, and use the computer to find community activities.
Chosen Vision serves developmentally challenged adults, ranging in age from 28 to 70. We serve all races and all income levels. Our research in the community is showing a need for additional assisted living homes in the tri-county area.
core values
Chosen Vision is devoted to operating residential homes for adults who have mental or physical challenges. To accomplish this, we provide:
- Trained, experienced and caring staff committed to our Christian values.
- Encouragement to residents to achieve a level of independence commensurate with their level of ability.
- Assistance to residents in locating volunteer work, education or employment depending on individual abilities.
- Resident involvement in planning and doing recreational, social and spiritual activities individually and as a group.
- Nutritious meals and guidance to make healthy eating and lifestyle choices.
- Involvement of family, relatives, friends and volunteers in the day to day life of the residents.
TINA schrump
HOME ADMINISTRATOR
Tina joined the Chosen Vision family in October of 2012. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience including over 30 years working in foster care with brain injured adults and other severe injuries. Tina earned her master’s degree in social work from Spring Arbor University.
Tina resides with her husband, Mike, is a mother of three adult children and especially enjoys her role as “MiMi.” Vacations and camping with family are Tina’s all-time favorites!
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jim Russell graduated from Hope College in 1983 with a degree in Business Administration. He is a partner in New Direction Partners, Inc., an investment banking firm specializing in the printing and packaging industry. Jim and his wife of 40 years have three adult sons. In addition to his work at Chosen Vision, Jim also serves on the Board of Student Statesmanship Institute and a number of other faith-based organizations. Jim and his wife, Michelle reside in Petoskey, Michigan.
Melanie graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Her work experience has centered primarily in Personnel, Public Relations, and Banking. Melanie is retired from staff work at the bank, however she serves as Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of Dart Bank; with offices in Frandor, Grand Ledge, Holt/South Lansing and Mason, with mortgage and commercial loan offices in other Michigan cities. She is the fourth generation to be actively involved in the Bank which was chartered in 1925.
Melanie attends Mason First Church of the Nazarene and is a member of the Lansing Rotary Club. Melanie is married, with a grown daughter and son and two grandsons.
Melanie Bergeron is the past-Chair, President and CEO of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®/ INTERNATIONAL, Inc., the largest franchised moving company in North America. Bergeron began as the company’s first franchisee – the founder of the company is her mother, Mary Ellen Sheets. The company has been featured on The Today Show and CNBC’s “How I Made My Millions.” Bergeron has spoken at several universities and for many business groups to share best practices she has learned along the way.
Melanie is a graduate of Central Michigan University and resides in between Charlevoix, MI and Nokomis, FL with her husband, Noel.
Joshua John Diehl, Ph.D., is a Teaching Associate Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Notre Dame. He holds an additional appointment as a Faculty Fellow in the Autism Studies program at Saint Mary’s College. Dr. Diehl received his B.A. from Princeton University in Psychology, & a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Rochester. He completed a clinical psychology internship at Golisano Children’s Hospital in Rochester, New York, and a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Childhood Neuropsychiatric Disorders at the Yale Child Study Center. He spent eight years as Chief Program Officer at LOGAN Community Resources, a nonprofit serving people with developmental disabilities in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan. Recently, he received an NIH-funded grant that focused on developing interventions to support individuals with ASD and their families. He has published work in journals & book chapters in the fields of Psychology, Speech-Language Pathology, Linguistics, Robotics & Disability Studies. He has researched clinical uses of robots for ASD treatment & has been featured on NBC, MSNBC, PBS, Times of India, WebMD, and in the Wall Street Journal. Most importantly, he is a proud sib of a Chosen Vision resident, his brother Shane, who continues to be the inspiration for all of his work and service.
Dave retired in 2016 from Michigan Agricultural Commodities (MAC) after spending 40 years there, the last 17 as its President. He has served on both State and National Boards representing the Agricultural Community during his career. A long time River Terrace Church member he has been on both the Elder and Deacon Boards. Married to Patricia for over 40 years; they have three married sons and 7 grandchildren.
Sue graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education.She retired after 34 years of teaching. The majority of those years were teaching students aged 16 to 26. She taught for 25 years at Clinton County Regional Educational Agency in Saint Johns.Teaching students with special needs has always been a passion and very rewarding. Sue brings a unique perspective to the board as someone with many years of experience with young adults with special needs, their parents and helping them reach their independence potential. Sue feels blessed to serve on the board of Chosen Vision and be part of the parent committee. She resides in DeWitt with her husband Jim. They have two adult daughters and four grandchildren.
Tom is a lifelong resident of Clinton County, having lived in Dewitt for over 30 years. He is president of Motz Homes, a residential building and development company, founded in 1985. Tom and his wife, Melinda, are proud parents of Andy, who resides in Brooklyn, N.Y., and Adrienne, who was among the first residents of Chosen Vision, Dewitt. Tom has served on the Board of Directors of First Bank-St. Johns, as well as The Greater Lansing Home Builders and Remodelers Association. Tom is excited to be working with Chosen Vision and to see his dream of providing Adrienne with a loving and nurturing home become a reality.
Craig Pilditch is the father of Michael Pilditch who resides in the DeWitt Men’s home. A common greeting by the men of the DeWitt home is ‘bald is beautiful’ which always leads to laughs from all 6 of them. Craig joined the Chosen Vision Board in January of 2016 and volunteers as Chair of the annual golf marathon fundraiser for Chosen Vision. A proud graduate of Michigan State University and an avid fan of all things MSU. Craig had a glorious career in medical device sales since 1985. Upon retirement, Craig enjoys his time as a starter at The Highlands at Harbor Springs. Michael’s older brother, Colin, lives in Chicago with his dog, Hank. Jane and Craig live in Bath together.
Dale Simmon of the Simmon Insurance Agency. Dale started working in the insurance industry in 1977 and seven years later, opened up his own insurance agency, the Simmon Insurance Agency, located in Delta Township. Dale lives with his wife Barbara in DeWitt, has 4 grown children and 4 grandchildren. Dale was introduced to Chosen Vision by DeWitt Mayor James Rundborg. Dale, being the father of a developmentally disabled young man, would want to know about the new Chosen Vision women’s home located in DeWitt. This started a chain of events and conversations that brought Dale to the Chosen Vision Board.
The addition of Dale Simmon to the Chosen Vision Board seems to be evidence of God’s perfect timing. “At this stage of my life,” Dale remarked, “I’m just trying to figure out how to take care of my son. And in the process, if there are other people I can help, that’s a bonus!”
Jennifer is a native of Peoria Illinois, moved to Michigan in 1981 to get married and start a family. This journey has led her to, among many other things, raise her daughters and help her husband build his business. Her expertise ranges from working full time as a mother of five, to volunteering in the children’s ministry at South Church in Lansing. Among her life experiences are helping to start and run a restaurant, taking college classes in psychology, running Marathons in Chicago, Detroit, and Quebec City, and traveling to Europe and Mexico to assist in the marketing of her husband’sbusiness. Since Jennifer has raised five daughters of her own, she has a passion for seeing young ladies live independently.
Linda is from Lansing, Michigan and received her bachelor’s degree from Calvin College. A third-generation owner of Granger Waste Services, Linda has dedicated her time to our community through serving a variety of non-profit organizations. She is a mother of three adult children and now a grandparent. Linda has served on Chosen Vision’s board for over 15 years. She splits her time between Leland, MI and Palm Beach, FL – but will always remain faithful to Chosen Vision.
Ellie brought together a group of interested persons in 1991 and formed an organization named Chosen Vision, Inc. with the purpose of developing small group homes for developmentally disabled adults. For ten years she served as the chairperson of that organization. Ellie has a bachelor’s degree in physical therapy. She later earned a master’s degree in social work from Western Michigan University. She worked as a professional social worker, supervisor and manager in the fields of mental health and health care. Ellie has been a long-time member of Trinity United Methodist Church where she has been a volunteer leader of a special ministry for developmentally disabled adults.
audited financials
P.O. BOX 281, DEWITT, MI 48820 | (517) 410-6541