For eight years, Connexion Point served as a link between individuals struggling with substance use disorders and the life-changing resources they needed to recover. Today, that connection is being preserved through The Boon House Legacy Fund at the Community Foundation for Mason County. This fund, which grew out of the legacy of Connexion Point, offers grants to local organizations dedicated to preventing, treating, and supporting recovery from substance use disorders.

Connexion Point was founded in 2017 by Dr. Michelle Kuster, an emergency room physician who witnessed the urgent need for local addiction services while observing high numbers of people seeking prescription drugs in the ER. Driven by a mission to connect chemically dependent individuals back to their lives through medically assisted treatment and comprehensive support, the organization became a source of hope and recovery for those trapped in a cycle of addiction and incarceration.

Through Connexion Point, Dr. Kuster provided the framework necessary for recovery from chemical substance use disorders. The program required members to check in daily to get their medication and other support. Sometimes, the need was so great that individuals would reach out directly to board members like Mark Boon, seeking a way out. “I’m just desperate,” they would tell him.

The organization’s heartbeat was its dedicated board, which included founding member Jackie Steckel, along with Julee Sarto, Caitlin Hagerty, Wendy Laraway, Julie Chappel, Mark Boon, and Beth Kirby. “It was something that I needed to get involved in,” said Beth, a special education teacher at Ludington Schools. She and Mark, also in education, joined the board years ago after witnessing how addiction directly impacted students and their families.

“This has definitely been the most emotional and personal board I’ve ever been on,” shared Julee. “Everyone stayed on the whole time because we cared so deeply about the mission.”

Founding member Jackie Steckel echoed this sentiment, noting the profound impact she witnessed. “It’s a real inspiration to see how hard people have worked to get to that point to be successful in their recovery,” Jackie reflected. “There’s nothing better than having a member come to the board and say they’re ready to move on with their life… It’s just such a great feeling to see that happen.”

Board members agree that one of Connexion Point’s most significant accomplishments was the establishment of The Boon House, which operated from February 2019 to October 2024. Named after board member Mark Boon because of his reputation for giving back to the community, it was the only recovery living facility in Mason County. The Boon House provided a safe, structured environment for up to six residents at a time as they transitioned out of jail or treatment programs. 

The Boon House served as more than just a residence; it was a hub for healing. Meetings took place regularly in the basement, bringing together residents and others from the community. “When people would tell their stories, I think that was the most powerful thing,” Mark reflected. “They’d come downstairs and say… ‘I’ve got somebody that’s not giving up on me.’”

Rather than returning to the setting where they had struggled previously, The Boon House provided a community focused on recovery. Residents could work on securing and maintaining employment in an encouraging, stable environment. This recovery ultimately led some residents back to what they valued most—their families. Board members noted that the most meaningful success stories involved those who reunited with their children and regained their independence. 

The community rallied behind Connexion Point through special projects like the Haunted Forest at Cartier Park. For five years, the board and volunteers decorated a spooky path to raise money. Pennies from Heaven, the Community Foundation, and local families and businesses also generously provided financial support.

The board faced the difficult necessity to dissolve Connexion Point in 2024 when Dr. Kuster stepped away from the board. Dr. Kuster’s personal contribution—including providing licensed medical oversight—was a service the organization could not financially replace. “We wanted to make sure there was a way to continue on in the spirit of everything that the donors provided,” said Beth. After careful consideration, the board chose to partner with the Community Foundation for Mason County.

“It makes me very happy to see that the money from Connexion Point was put into an endowment fund,” said Jackie. “That’s going to support the efforts in Mason County forever.”

The Boon House Legacy Fund Grant will be available during the Foundation’s annual grant cycles. By transitioning to grantmaking, the legacy of Connexion Point shifts from direct service to empowering nonprofits that do similar work. 

While the physical doors of The Boon House have closed, Connexion Point’s original mission will continue to ripple through Mason County in perpetuity, impacting the lives of individuals and their families through the programs this fund empowers.