ARE
A.R.E Drop In Centers (ARE, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating two drop-in centers in Jackson and Hillsdale, Michigan, delivering free, peer-led mental health and substance use recovery support to 10,000+ members over 25+ years, funded by donations and online merchandise sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersJackson, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What ARE does
A.R.E Drop In Centers (legally ARE, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) peer-owned and operated nonprofit organization headquartered in Jackson, Michigan, providing community-based mental health and substance use recovery support to individuals in Jackson and Hillsdale counties. Founded over 25 years ago, the organization has served 10,000+ members through a service model built on Certified Peer Support Specialists (CPSS), Certified Youth Peer Support Specialists, and Certified Parent Support Partners who deliver support grounded in lived experience of recovery.
The organization operates two physical drop-in centers (Jackson at 334 W. Franklin Ave and Hillsdale at 64 Hillsdale St.) and delivers core programs including Peer Support Services, Parent Support Partners, Youth Peer Support, and structured Support/Recovery Groups (WRAP, WHAM, Traveler's Guide, Pathways to Recovery). Services are provided free of charge to members, who are primarily referred through institutional partners anchored by LifeWays Community Mental Health, the regional CMH authority, plus the Jackson Community VA Outpatient Clinic, Center for Family Health, and several housing and substance use treatment providers.
Revenue is generated through two streams: (1) tax-deductible donations collected via the Zeffy online platform and by mail, and (2) online merchandise sales through a print-on-demand e-commerce store branded under the Hope Dealers and Recovery Renegade sub-brands, offering t-shirts, hoodies, letterman jackets, and water bottles priced from $11.50 to $75.00. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors (Christopher Moss, President; Christene Ryan, Vice President; Shelly Woods, Treasurer; Ronald Kidd, Member at Large) and led by CEO Ann E. Cole, who has served since 2009. No government contracts, grant amounts, or annual budget figures are disclosed in available sources.
ARE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ARE
- Legal name
- ARE, Inc.
- Website
- https://arepeerservices.org
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- A.R.E Drop In Centers (ARE, Inc.) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating two drop-in centers in Jackson and Hillsdale, Michigan, delivering free, peer-led mental health and substance use recovery support to 10,000+ members over 25+ years, funded by donations and online merchandise sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ARE industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Community Mental Health Peer Support Services
- NAICS
- Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services (BPAGAEAO)
Keywords
Where ARE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Jackson
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
ARE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Charitable Contributions: The organization relies on tax-deductible donations from the public to fund operations. Donations can be made online via Zeffy platform or by check mailed to the Jackson office.
- Merchandise Sales: Online store selling branded merchandise including t-shirts, hoodies, water bottles, and letterman jackets. Products are print-on-demand and sold at various price points ($11.50-$75.00).
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels3 records
ARE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ARE, Inc. (Activities, Recovery, Empowerment) operates two physical drop-in centers in Jackson and Hillsdale, Michigan that provide free, peer-led mental health and substance use recovery support. Services are delivered by Certified Peer Support Specialists, Certified Youth Peer Support Specialists, and Certified Parent Support Partners who use lived experience to assist individuals and families with housing, employment, benefits access, services planning, and recovery groups (WRAP, WHAM, Pathways to Recovery). The organization supplements its mission through an online merchandise store selling branded apparel.
Product overview
ARE, Inc. (Activities, Recovery, Empowerment) is a peer-owned and operated nonprofit organization providing community-based mental health peer support services across Jackson and Hillsdale, Michigan. The organization operates two drop-in centers and offers multiple service programs including Peer Support Services, Parent Support Partners, Youth Peer Support, and Support/Recovery Groups. Additionally, ARE operates an online merchandise store selling branded apparel and accessories under sub-brands including Hope Dealers and Recovery Renegades, with products such as t-shirts, hoodies, letterman jackets, and water bottles. The organization serves over 10,000 members and has been operating for over 25 years.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hope Dealers: A brand/sub-brand used for merchandise products including water bottles, t-shirts, and letterman jackets.
- Recovery Renegade
Products and services
- Peer Support Services
Quantifiable outcome
- 10,000+ members served over 25+ years
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use ARE
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
ARE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
ARE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- LifeWays Crisis R & RcoreMental health crisis services partner providing crisis intervention and referral services for ARE clients
- LifeWays Medical ServicescoreMedical services provider for Hillsdale and Jackson locations, coordinating healthcare access for ARE members
- Center for Family HealthminorPhysical health services provider offering primary care and dental services referenced as a resource for ARE clients
- Jackson Community VA Outpatient ClinicminorVeteran services partner providing outpatient clinic services for veterans in the Jackson area
- Home of New VisionminorSubstance use treatment provider referenced as a resource for ARE clients seeking addiction services
- Hope HouseminorSubstance use services provider offering residential treatment and support services
- TTIminorHomelessness and housing services organization providing shelter and housing resources
- Jackson Interfaith ShelterminorEmergency shelter services for individuals experiencing homelessness
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
ARE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Bring Change to Mind: Bring Change to Mind is a peer-driven mental health awareness and peer support organization focused on youth and young adults — overlapping with ARE's Youth Peer Support service line but operating at national scale rather than community-drop-in scale.
Direct peers
- NAMI: NAMI is the largest nationwide peer-led mental health advocacy and support organization, offering support groups, peer-run programs, and education. Its affiliate network operates local drop-in style peer support very similar to ARE's model, making it the closest comparable peer-run mental health nonprofit.
- Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): DBSA runs a national network of peer-run support groups for individuals living with mood disorders — a model directly analogous to ARE's WRAP and recovery group offerings. ARE's own COO serves as president of DBSA Metro Detroit, underscoring direct operational overlap.
- Recovery International: Recovery International runs peer-led self-help meetings for adults facing mental health challenges using the Abraham Low method — a structured peer support group model closely paralleling ARE's WRAP, WHAM, and Pathways to Recovery groups.
- Clubhouse International: Clubhouse International accredits and supports a global network of psychosocial rehabilitation "clubhouses" — peer-operated community centers offering recovery support, employment, and social connection. The clubhouse model is a structural sibling of ARE's drop-in centers.
- NAMI Michigan: NAMI Michigan is the state-level affiliate of NAMI, operating peer-led support groups, family programs, and advocacy across Michigan. It is a directly comparable peer in the same geography, with overlapping referral relationships with CMH authorities.
Broad incumbents
- Mental Health America: Mental Health America is the nation's oldest community-based mental health nonprofit, providing peer support, screening, advocacy, and education. It is a broader incumbent with overlapping peer-support programming but a national rather than community-based operating model.
Regional players
- Compeer of Michigan: Compeer runs volunteer-based, one-to-one peer mentoring for adults in mental health recovery across Michigan and other states. It is a regional peer support peer operating in overlapping Michigan geographies with a related (but mentoring-led, not drop-in led) model.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ARE social profiles
Digital presenceARE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ARE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
ARE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ARE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ARE
What does ARE do?
ARE, Inc. (Activities, Recovery, Empowerment) operates two physical drop-in centers in Jackson and Hillsdale, Michigan that provide free, peer-led mental health and substance use recovery support. Services are delivered by Certified Peer Support Specialists, Certified Youth Peer Support Specialists, and Certified Parent Support Partners who use lived experience to assist individuals and families with housing, employment, benefits access, services planning, and recovery groups (WRAP, WHAM, Pathways to Recovery). The organization supplements its mission through an online merchandise store selling branded apparel.
Is ARE a public or private company?
ARE is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ARE founded?
ARE was founded in -1. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ARE based?
ARE is headquartered in Jackson, United States, in the North America region.
How does ARE make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Charitable Contributions are the primary driver. The others are merchandise Sales.
Who are ARE's main competitors?
Bring Change to Mind is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are NAMI, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), Recovery International, Clubhouse International and NAMI Michigan. Mental Health America is listed as a broad incumbent. Compeer of Michigan is listed as a regional player.
Does ARE have an API?
No public API is recorded for ARE.
What industry is ARE in?
ARE's product category is Community Mental Health Peer Support Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAFACAN, Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services, with a secondary code of BPAGAEAO, Substance Use Recovery & Harm Reduction Support Services. Its NAICS code is 621420 and its SIC code is 8300.