SAFFORD — The ribbon was cut on the House of Hope on Friday, a 17-bed sober living facility designed to help those coming out of rehab for substance abuse.
“Amazing; it’s all kind of coming together, in a sense, from all different aspects and directions,” said Jenny Howard. “I think that meeting this threshold . . . continues to open doors along the way for people to realize, ‘You can do it. We can do this together.’ ”
The House of Hope will help those coming out of rehab transition back into the community, as well as provide meeting space for those in 12-step programs.
Jenny Howard, along with her husband, John, and Kathy Grimes of the Graham County Substance Abuse Coalition, spearheaded development of the House of Hope. They credited Marge Schade, owner of the local Pepsi bottling plant, with having the greatest influence via her donation of land and extensive fund-raising.
During his welcoming speech, John Howard thanked all the area businesses that contributed to development of the facility through donation of materials or labor; as well as the local criminal justice system.
“The results we’ll get from a place like this will not only help the people who need it, it also helps law enforcement (and) helps our courts because people won’t repeat offend; they have a better chance,” said John Howard.
Also speaking was U.S. Rep Tom O’Halleran, D-Ariz., who said he will continue to seek more federal money for the facility and others like it, such as the respite facility for those on the street proposed by the Gila Valley Ministerial Association and partially funded this week with Community Development Block Grant money by the Graham County Board of Supervisors.
Graham County Substance Abuse is also moving forward with the Re-entry Project, a program to help those recently released from jail or prison find housing and employment, as well as deal with addiction issues. Re-entry Project coordinator Ken Gowin will also serve as the manager of the House of Hope.
