Everyone deserves the joy of friendship.
And while all of our services help provide opportunities to make new connections, Independence Prep Extension and our Skill Building Program are a great place to start.
When the Johnson family first came to us, their biggest hope wasn’t housing or job skills—it was something far more personal: friendship.
Their daughter Maya was bright, funny, and full of personality. But despite her warmth, she spent most of her teenage years feeling alone. She watched her siblings go to sleepovers, join clubs, and make lifelong friends--while she struggled to find people who truly understood her.
Her parents shared their deepest wish with us, 'We just want her to have someone to laugh with. Someone to text. Someone to miss her when she’s not around.'
That’s where our journey with Maya began.
We started by listening. We asked Maya what she loved, what made her feel safe, and what kind of connections she dreamed of. Then, we introduced her to a small group of peers in our supported living community who shared her passions: music, baking, and a love for animals.
At first, Maya was quiet. She waited for others to make the first move. The conversations were short, and the connections felt fleeting.
But Maya didn’t give up.
After a few weeks of trying, she gathered the courage to ask one peer for their phone number. That simple moment changed everything. Texting made it easier to open up, and soon, their conversations blossomed into something beautiful.
Friendship. Real, lasting friendship.
Maya was invited to game nights, movie outings, and dinners with her expanding group of friends. She even joined our group trips to explore cities across the U.S.—laughing, sharing and growing with her friends.
And for the first time, Maya had a birthday party where every guest was someone she’d chosen herself.
Today, Maya’s parents say the biggest change isn’t just in her social life—it’s in her confidence. She walks taller. She smiles more. She talks about her future with excitement.
And her parents? They finally feel like they’re not the only ones cheering her on.
(Identifying details have been changed to preserve member privacy.)
Independence Prep Extension is a 9-month program for teens and young adults still in school.
An after-school program, it offers classroom and community-based activities twice each month from September through May.
Take a look at a sample calendar here.
Independence Prep Extension costs $750 for the full 9-month program.
Our Skill Building Program offers three to four activities each week.
Our activities are scheduled for weeknights and weekend afternoons, and about half take place in our classroom in Troy while others take place out in the metro Detroit community.
Take a look at a sample month of activities here.
The Skill Building Program costs $275 per month and includes unlimited access to our activities.
If you're interested in making friends, begin the application process here.
Please contact Emily Lourim, Director of Education, at emily@onmyownofmi.org or (248) 649-3739 x 221.