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By Heather Johnson Durocher
Newsletter editor

 

Alex Franklin, 37, stayed at Safe Harbor on and off for a couple of years before finding permanent housing last December through his employer Molon Asphalt. He is thankful for the assistance he received while staying at Safe Harbor.

 

“Everyone was very welcoming. I have a lot of respect for them," Franklin said. "Once I had been there for awhile and got to know the staff, we developed a special bond.”

 

We caught up with Franklin, who recently took on a volunteer facility manager position with Safe Harbor, to hear more about how life is going these days. Here are several small victories he shared:

 

A job he loves and a place to call home

Just over a year ago, Franklin started working as a mechanic at Molon Asphalt.

 

“It’s something I am passionate about. I love working on things and fixing things,” he said.

 

Then, in December 2025, he was able to move into Molon’s company housing. Along with providing him with a job and a place to live, Molon team members have been incredibly compassionate and undertanding as Franklin continues with therapy, participates in a three-year drug recovery and jail-aversion program, and attends probation hearings.

 

“I wouldn’t be able to do a lot of this without Molon,” he said.

 

Family time and following a purpose

Franklin is grateful for his relationship with his 17-year-old son and 16-year-old daughter, both of whom live in Illinois.

 

Along with cherishing any time he gets to spend with his kids, Franklin is proud to play a leadership role in a Traverse City Police Department outreach program that helps people living with addiction, homelessness and mental health issues.

 

He also was recently asked by his probation officer to share his story as part of a panel taking place during crisis intervention training. “It’s huge. I told her I would.”

 

April 2026