Our Children Future Matters
The Problem
Children with untreated learning disabilities are more likely to develop substance abuse problems and are at greater risk of homelessness.
Michigan Department of Education reported in 2018, 28.8% of Michigan students had specified learning disabilities and approximately 25% of special education students drop out of high school. It is well-documented that children with untreated learning disabilities are more likely to develop substance abuse problems before the age of 14 and are at greater risk of homelessness. ILH was created to fill the void between government agencies and school services.
Our Mission
The needs of youth with developmental challenges are chronically unmet in the city of Detroit.
Independent Living Housing is dedicated to increasing the quality of life for these students and their families through education, therapy, and life skills training.
Learning Disabilities
Learning disabilities are defined as a condition giving rise to difficulties in acquiring knowledge and skills to the level expected of those of the same age, especially when not associated with a physical handicap.
Learning disabilities are neurological problems that can’t be cured or fixed. They are a lifelong challenge. Learning disabilities affect the brain's ability to receive, process, store, respond to, and communicate information. These effects can limit one’s ability to reason, write, speak, spell, perform mathematical calculations and can hinder an individual’s attention span, coordination, social skills, and emotional maturity. Learning disabilities also interfere with higher level skills such as organization, time management, abstract reasoning, and both long and short term memory. It is important to realize that learning disabilities can impact an individual’s life beyond academics and can strain relationships with family, friends, and coworkers.