This spring, Garrett’s Space broke ground on a residential treatment center designed for young adults living with anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges. The Ann Arbor-based nonprofit was founded by Julie and Scott Halpert in 2018, a year after their son, Garrett, died by suicide.
“Garrett really wanted a place like this — a place in nature,” Julie Halpert told Hour Detroit the morning of the groundbreaking ceremony on April 24.
The 76-acre property in Superior Township boasts what Scott Halpert described to an assembled crowd of benefactors, members of the press, and other interested parties as “acres and acres of wooded areas for walking trails,” “a beautiful pond and open fields,” and “the stunning Fleming Creek.”
“Just imagine our participants taking all this in when they arrive and feeling the warmth and compassion of our incredible facilitator team,” he said. “[They]’ll sense immediately that this place is different — that they can let their guard down and be themselves.”
Since its founding, Garrett’s Space has provided a mixture of remote and in-person “non-medical” wellness programming at various locations throughout the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area. The programming is designed to foster peer connection and support, mindfulness, movement, journaling, and healthy eating, among other activities.
In 2023, the organization was awarded $4 million by then-President Biden as part of that year’s Omnibus Appropriations Package, funding for which the Halperts were invited to apply by Congresswoman Debbie Dingell, who was present at the groundbreaking.
“I was proud to secure federal funding for Garrett’s Space and look forward to the positive impact they will have on our community,” Congresswoman Dingell told Hour. “This work makes profound differences in young people’s lives.”
To the crowd, the congresswoman mentioned her younger sister, Mary Grace, who died of a prescription drug overdose at 43. “There was nothing I could do that could make a difference. This place,” she said, gesturing to the new property, “will make a difference.”
The Halperts say that Garrett’s Space — and especially the forthcoming 10,000 square foot residence and studio set for completion in 2027 — are intended to function as supplementary services for teens and young adults (ages 18-28) with mental health issues, especially those who might feel uneasy with more traditional approaches to therapy.
The stunning Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home will be used for administrative purposes and cooking classes. Once the campus is fully operational, the Halperts estimate they’ll be able to serve 200-300 young adults (ages 18-28) per year. Up to 20 residents will be permitted for 30 days at a time, with another 10 guests admitted for day programming.
To qualify for treatment, residents must either currently work with a therapist and/or psychiatrist or be willing to start. Meanwhile, Clinical Director Peggy Galimberti has pledged to assist those who don’t qualify for treatment in locating resources for which they do qualify (including those in the midst of psychosis or mania, those who pose a current threat to themselves or others, and those using illicit substances).
Garrett’s Space has also publicly announced its “Bring Hope to Life” campaign, which aims to raise $13 million in funding for the purchase of the property, construction costs, renovations to the existing building, and operating costs for the campus’s first year. The campaign, which is co-chaired by community philanthropists Linh Song and Ashley Oberheide, has raised upwards of $9 million to date. (Those interested in donating can do so here.)
“What [Garrett] wanted as a young adult is what many, many young adults crave,” Julie Halpert told Hour, adding that Garrett, who would have turned 31 two days before the groundbreaking ceremony, had wanted to become a therapist.
“Ever since he died, we’ve spent our time trying to figure out how to honor his goodness and help other people in the way we couldn’t help him,” she said.
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