Live Independently

When Alex first came to us, the idea of living on his own felt like a dream—one that always seemed just out of reach.

He was in his mid-20s, full of potential, but had never spent a night away from his parents. His parents did everything for him—cooked his meals, managed his doctor appointments, even picked out his clothes.

His mom told us, 'We love him more than anything, but we know we won’t always be here. He deserves a life that’s his own.'

We started by building trust—getting to know what Alex loves (Detroit sports) and how he prefers to show up in our community (quietly at first, and with support to start conversations with new people.) Once trust was built, we worked together to build new skills.

Alex first learned how to make a few simple meals and manage his daily routine. And we practiced everything—from locking his door at night to managing anxiety in group settings.

He had support every step of the way, but we made sure he was the one making decisions.

When Alex moved into his own apartment, it wasn’t without nerves. But we were there—checking in, helping him set up his space, and celebrating every milestone. The first time he paid his rent on time, he called us just to say, 'I did it!'

And the first time he hosted his parents for dinner, his mom cried. Not because she was worried—but because she saw her son becoming the adult she always knew he could be.

Now, Alex lives independently, takes the bus to his part-time job, and volunteers at the local library. He’s proud of his space, his routines, and the life he’s building.

And his parents? They’ve gone from caretakers to cheerleaders.

(Identifying details have been changed to preserve member privacy.)

Independence College by On My Own of Michigan® is a two-year residential college-like experience for young adults with developmental disabilities, giving students an opportunity to grow their independent living and employment skills in a safe, supported environment.

Unique in its focus on graduating students right into successful, long-term independent living and competitive wage employment, Independence College by On My Own of Michigan® welcomed its first class of students in Fall 2023.

Independence College by On My Own of Michigan® has been carefully designed to give students:

• a college-like experience in a safe, supported environment,
• the skills necessary to successfully live on their own long-term and gain and maintain competitive wage employment of their choosing, and
• a community of supportive peers.

Independence College by On My Own of Michigan® is a two-year program consisting of four semesters (Fall + Spring of each academic year).

While attending Independence College, students live in an apartment, learn independent living and employment skills during the day, and engage in structured social activities at night.

Each student has an individualized learning plan, receives hands-on classroom and in-home instruction, participates in supervised community-based learning and work experiences, and completes at-home skill practice.

Independence College curriculum includes (but is not limited to):

• life skills (personal management, getting up + ready independently, managing a schedule)
• employment skills (finding + keeping a job)
• safety (staying safe in the community + an apartment)
• money management (creating + sticking to a budget)
• health and wellness (self-care + coping strategies; making healthy meals; building an exercise habit; healthy relationships)
• communication and socialization (advocating for your needs; making + keeping friends)
• transportation (getting around the community with public transportation + ride shares)
• foundational skills like functional reading, language and math

Upon graduation, students are ready to continue living on their own and maintain meaningful employment.

Independence College by On My Own of Michigan® costs $40,000 per academic year, for a total investment of $80,000. Students are required to enroll in the full two-year program.

Tuition includes:

• shared housing
• healthy meals
• our customized two-year curriculum taught by experienced educators every weekday
• an individualized learning plan to support each student's long-term goals
• work-based learning experiences of the student's choosing
• weekly community outings and activities
• weekend virtual check-ins with staff
• 24/7 emergency phone support

Tuition payments may be made:

• in a lump sum at the start of each academic year (July 1st; a $250 annual discount applies to this option)
• in two equal payments each academic year (July 1st and January 1st; a $125 annual discount applies to this option)
• in ten equal payments each academic year (July - April)

A $4,000 non-refundable enrollment deposit will be due on April 1st of each year and be applied to your total balance due.

Limited, partial need-based scholarships are available.

All students are required to be up-to-date with the following vaccinations before enrolling in Independence College:

• Diphtheria, Tetanus and Pertussis (DTP, DTaP, Tdap)
• Polio
• Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)
• Hepatitis B
• Meningococcal Conjugate
• Varicella (chicken pox)

Our Independent Living Program provides long-term support to people with developmental disabilities who are either actively preparing for the transition to independent living or who are already living on their own.

Members of our Skill Building Program who meet the qualification criteria and are either preparing to live independently within 12 months or who are already living on their own and live within 15 minutes drive time of our office are eligible to participate in our Independent Living Program. Independence College graduates who live within 15 minutes drive time of our office are also eligible for our Independent Living Program.

Independent Living Program support is provided, on average, for 45 minutes per week, though is dependent on where an individual is on their journey to independent living. Members who are successfully maintaining their independence may have support meetings less frequently.

Most of our members meet with their support staff during traditional business hours (Monday through Friday, 9 am - 5 pm.)

In addition to a weekly meeting, members of our Independent Living Program also have access to our 24/7 emergency phone line to help them through urgent issues.

Finally, families of members in our Independent Living Program are also provided assistance in creating a long-term family plan to answer the important question: "what will happen when I'm no longer around?"

Here's a deeper look at what's provided in our Independent Living Program:

Life coaching (included in monthly Independent Living Program membership fee):

• annual assessment of skills to identify annual goals, quarterly objectives and monthly milestones
• creation of an annual plan focused on independent living, employment and quality of life
• creation and annual review of a continuity of care plan (to answer the family question: what happens when I'm gone?)
• help applying for and maintaining government benefits
• help hiring, training and managing direct care staff to ensure skill and goal attainment
• up to weekly, 45-minute life coaching sessions focused on the annual plan
• 24/7 emergency phone support for issues that cannot wait for the next life coaching session

Direct care (available as needed and billed at $25 per hour):

• 1:1 skill building
• financial monitoring support
• medication monitoring support
• employment support
• appointment support
• transportation support
• in-person emergency support

The Independent Living Program costs $250 per month. This is in addition to the Skill Building Program cost of $275 per month, as all Independent Living Program members must also be in our Skill Building Program. In total, full membership is $525 per month.

Some members may be able to have their $250 Independent Living Program cost covered by Medicaid through Community Living Services of Oakland County.

Please note, our Independent Living Program does not include housing.

If you're interested in living independently, begin the application process here.

Please contact Emily Lourim, Director of Education, at emily@onmyownofmi.org or (248) 649-3739 x 221.