Our Story

Advocates For Self Determination was founded on a simple belief: every person deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, choice, and independence.

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Our story began with our founder, Janet Patterson, who opened her very first Adult Foster Care home more than two decades ago. What started as one family home — built on compassion, faith, and the desire to provide a safe place for individuals who needed care, quickly grew into a calling. Families trusted her, residents thrived, and a reputation for quality and compassion began to spread.

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From that single home, Janet’s vision expanded into a network of specialized Adult Foster Care homes and semi-independent living programs. Alongside her daughter, Shannon Patterson, Advocates For Self Determination has become a trusted provider across Michigan, serving individuals with unique needs and empowering them to live meaningful lives.

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Today, we continue that family legacy — combining personal experience with professional excellence. What began around a family kitchen table is now a mission-driven organization dedicated to building safe homes, creating opportunities for independence, and supporting families through every step of the journey.

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At Advocates, our story is still being written every day — in the lives of the people we serve, the dedication of our staff, and the values our founder instilled from the very beginning.