Lydia's Gate - Mio, Michigan

Ash D.

I was a guest at Lydias Gate from the beginning of October to December of 2024, and it was honestly quite nice at first. There were only a few other guests besides myself, and the directors were very willing to help us get on track to becoming independent and having a stable place to live again. However, once the shelter began to fill up with more and more people, it quickly became an absolute wreck; both physically and metaphorically. The guests became unruly, and I dare say pretty much terrorized the other guests and the staff. It's not the guests that I was directly upset about, however; it was the lack of acknowledgement and action from the staff (mainly the directors and board members) to maintain and correctly discipline the actions and behaviors of the guests that directly violated many of the ground rules and guidelines given to guests once they started to live at the shelter. There were many instances of guests threatening other guests, being lazy and slobbish, and basically making life hell for each other; all of which was brought up to the directors many times, and almost always either having a blind eye turned to our concerns, or those said troublesome guests getting a slap on the wrist and nothing more as a punishment. Everyday living there, there was some big argument or disagreement, even between the guests and the staff that simply just went uncorrected. There were quite a few instances when a guest should have been kicked out for serious reasons, and yet they never were, due to board members saying they "couldn't make someone leave just because they had issues". I am sure every shelter has their troublesome guests, but that does not excuse this shelters lack of a proper system put in place to not only correct their guests disruptive behavior, but also a system in place designed to actually help its guests get the proper help they need; whether it's in regards to mental help, physical help or just help finding a job/source of income and a place to live. In conclusion, I would highly advise anyone that is seeking shelter at this place to either seek shelter somewhere else, or at least be prepared to live in hell until you can get out.

Kiko P.

I have only just recently moved to the area of Mio and every single person that I've met at lydias gate has been kind to both myself and my dog Ausie. We frequent their yard quite often and I feel completely at home amongst the people that are staying there as well as the staff. God bless Lydia's gate and I'm honored to consider myself a neighbor of theirs.

Bonnie R.

I had a post on here I recently deleted bc one employee has now changed my view on this place. Today I brought a family member up here from downriver to get out of a abusive situation. We called prior to coming and got the ok she could stay there. Once arriving we were met at the door by a employee I'll leave nameless who not only made my family member scared to death but tried to make us feel bad bc she couldn't stay at our house. For reasons she knew nothing about and acted like my fiancee and I were bad ppl gir not allowing her to stay with us. Not knowing her ex who was abusing her knew where we lived so her staying here was not a option for everyone's safety. I had a high opinion of this shelter for woman but not now I dont. My opinion is if u dont like ur job or the way u should handle urself with the woman who walk in needing help, get another job!

Heather B.

This place is amazing for women in need. It's in a big beautiful old house and the staff is very friendly and helpful

Christy P.

Jessica M.