Our History

Highways to Hedges Community Outreach was founded in 2022. Prior to the organization being founded, Kenneth and Michele Willis felt compelled to go out into the community to help those in need after repeatedly witnessing many people sleeping on the streets and standing on the street corners. As someone who was homeless herself at one time, Michele wanted to assist and make a real difference in the lives of those in need. 

Both Kenneth and Michele felt compelled to aid those that are homeless and in need. They began by creating a Street Outreach Training Module for volunteers in effort to educate and empower them in ways to be effective in street outreach. They conducted multiple training sessions in Flint MI, Saginaw, MI and Pontiac, MI throughout 2022 and in 2023.  Following the initial training sessions, in September 2022 a group of 10 people went out near several overnight homeless shelters in Flint, MI, where they set up a distribution site in the community where the homeless dwell, and provided them with meals, water, clothing, blankets, and hygiene products. Since then, Highways to Hedges Community Outreach has continued to train volunteers and has held several Street Outreach and distributions in Flint, MI, and Saginaw, MI, during the winter, spring, summer and fall months, in addition, Highways to Hedges Community Outreach has continued to connect those we serve with various vital community resources all in effort to make a difference in the community one life at a time.