“What Friends and Family, Inc. means to me is another family outside of my own. I have worked with the company for over 20 years. I have been blessed to know and work with a lot of wonderful people. From office personnel to managers to the people we serve, I am so grateful to be a part of this team. I have learned from them what it means to be calm, patient and understanding. I was once in a very dark place after losing so many family members back to back that some days I didn’t know where I was going, but coming to work every day and having people depend on you and love you, hug you, pray with you, laugh with you, and talk with you. It really made a big difference in my life. I am forever grateful to Friends and Family and to all the wonderful people I serve. I love you all and I truly do consider you my family.”
– FFI Manager
“I am so happy with my brother's living arrangement and care with Friends & Family. I originally heard of this company over a decade ago based on their reputation, and they continue to live up to their name. He is cared for so well day to day, with long term goals, medically and socially. His home manager and staff are in tune to his wants and needs, and the manager keeps me informed and included as his guardian. She is truly a pleasure to interact with. They help him stay engaged in the community which he loves. The way he is treated well is obvious, for example he is always saying "good job honey!" and its clear people say this to him often. He is happy and comfortable; he is always asking people if they are happy. In my interactions with Friends & Family it is also clear to me that the owner of the company personally knows and cares about every person, client and staff, at every home. She celebrates the staff and clients. I can't imagine working with any other company for my brother's needs.”
– Family member/Guardian
“I can't say enough good things about the Manager at the Granger Group Home. She is excellent at communicating with me with any issues at any time. You can tell that she has a real connection with the residents at the home. I was out there recently and could not have been happier to see how she interacts with the residents and her staff. I got the same impression with the staff that was on hand when I was out there as well. It seems to be more than just a job to them. They truly seem to care about these residents. I feel comfortable that my sister is getting the care that she needs. She has been in this facility since 1985 and this is her home and her family. The facility is well cared for, clean, and in a very peaceful setting.”
– Family member/Guardian
“When you are in your darkest hours and need to know who you can trust with your loved one, you can rest assured that Woodward's Friends and Family is the best choice. When personally making this difficult choice, my sister and I visited, studied and vetted other centers. We quickly learned not to judge a book (or building) by its cover; it's the "who and how" that matters. Many can go to classes to learn how to become a caregiver, but this trained staff and the owners have something more. They possess a sincere love, lots of compassion, and hearts to serve that make the very difference that you can't learn in any classroom.
Each of the caregivers at Woodwards bring their own unique experiences and passion to their job. They are incredible people that went above and beyond taking care of our mom. We (our mother and our family) were lucky to have them! We were so blessed by this caring group of men and women who looked after Mom day and night. It's a peace you can't understand until you get to know the staff as personally as we did and some of us live far out of state. We've never doubted their abilities or their sincerity, especially after watching them with the rest of the residents that called Woodwards their ‘home away from home’. The staff felt more like friends and family. We would all highly recommend them!”
– Robert Taylor, Bristol VA
“I can’t say enough about the care my sister received during her stay at Woodwards! The other ones I have been to when my friends were in left me with a sick feeling. I was surprised and so happy the first time I visited her, I was greeted with friendly people who were concerned with their patients. All the caregivers were loving to her, showing her respect and compassion for her and the family.
I know it’s a possibility I could be there and I’ve told my family that is the only place I would go. God Bless them all it’s a tough job!”
– Family member
“When my brother and I had were faced with one of the toughest decisions a family has to make, (where to place their loved one for the extra care they need), we took this important task very seriously. We visited several other homes before we came upon Woodwards/Friends and Family.
I will admit that my first impression of the building didn't look like the "other facilities" we visited, but we quickly learned we were glad we didn't judge without gathering all the information, because THIS WAS OUR PLACE! We felt it IMMEDIATELY upon meeting the staff and seeing the care of the residents that were in the main dining area as we toured.
I was also surprised by all the time they took "interviewing" us/our mom to see if our mom was going to be a good fit. I learned how important this process was later when we were told a new resident would be joining their home. I would wonder if they would be a good fit with everyone, and then I remembered back that, of course, they would because they did such a great job making sure this would work for our mom as well!
I cannot say enough good things about every single staff member! The caring and compassion each one of them showed is not a skill that can be taught! They are truly people with huge hearts and a calling to serve these people in this stage of their life.
The communication they kept with us through every stage of the Dementia process was so helpful. They worked with us through some difficult stages and never complained, even though you know it was tough on them!
They treated our family like family from beginning to end and I will forever be grateful for all the care, love, and compassion they gave (to all of us). They didn't just care for our mom (which was all they "had" to do) but were gentle with our hearts through the whole process too.
We would choose this path for our Mom, or any family member or friend, if the decision needed to be made again.
I do not need to have my testimony listed as anonymous, as I would tell every single person I talk to, that this is the BEST DECISION they could ever make for their loved one! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to let others know about Friends and Family and how they will NEVER REGRET this huge decision!”
– Debbie Lietzow
“I have been employed with Friends and Family for about 8-9 years in total. I love my job but I also love my people. When my father passed away with stage four cancer, it became a priority for me to make some moves and changes in my own life. I went to college and took a CNA course. I couldn't help him; I was too young at the time of his passing. However, with this new set of skills and experience I was able to grow in this field even more. Through the years I have worked sometimes two jobs, but F&F has always remained my home. Because this company really does have good values and morals. They treat everyone with dignity, respect and equality. They have empathy for the employees and for the residents. Everyone overall is taken care of and heard! Not a lot of companies listen and take accountability and responsibility. This one does! They have an amazing foundation and I'm happy to say where I work when people ask because I truly LOVE my job!”
– Direct Care Worker
“I’m a mother and our daughter gets amazing care at her group home. The ladies at her group home treat her and us as family. The great staff have been there for years which really makes a difference in the care that she receives. The group home manager is exceptional and we work well together scheduling appointments for our daughter. I highly recommend Friends and Family, Inc.”
– Mother/Guardian
“I have had the privilege of working closely with Friends and Family for close to 15 years, collaborating with their team across a number of their homes throughout Oakland and Macomb counties. In my experience as a social worker, I have consistently observed their unwavering commitment to the dignity, growth, and well-being of the individuals they support. The staff and management foster an environment that is both compassionate and professional, always prioritizing individualized care while maintaining high standards of safety and accountability. Their dedication, responsiveness, and genuine love for the individuals they serve make them a standout provider in our community. It is truly a pleasure to work alongside a team that consistently models excellence, integrity, and warmth in every aspect of their work. They fully encompass their organization's name.”
— IDD Care Coordinator Supervisor
