Congressman Souder Tours Serenity House
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
Souder, co-chair of the Congressional caucus on drug policy, met with staff, board members and residents to learn more about the home.
He said the tour provided him insight into the topic of drug and alcohol addictions and the recovery process.[[In-content Ad]]Souder saId he was pleased to learn more about the home.
"I support a program such as this that has supervision and accountability," he said.
The house is located at 622 E. Fort Wayne St. It opened in August 2006. It currently houses 15 male residents and is one of four Serenity House homes that offers a drug and alcohol recovery program.
There are two other homes in Auburn that assist men with addictions, and a home in Auburn for females.
Serenity House is considering purchasing an additional home in Warsaw to assist with the growing need for its services.
"We have 13 applicants on a waiting list right now and not enough room to house those seeking recovery from drug and alcohol abuse," said House Manager Jeff "Hoss" Smith.
He said a planning committee is considering a fundraiser and applying for grants so an additional home can be purchased.
Serenity House is a project that is part of 4Community Collaboration's and United Way's efforts to address funding and grant opportunities to fight illegal drugs and substance abuse.
The initial funding for Serenity House was part of a grant opportunity from Indiana Association of United Ways that would match, dollar-for-dollar, 10 percent of Kosciusko County's 2002 United Way campaign.
K21 Foundation also provided a grant last year for repairs to the home.
Smith said he was honored Souder toured the facility and showed an interest in the recovery home.
Souder's representative, Allison McSherry, also toured the recovery home.
Matt Rice, Serenity House executive director, said the average stay for residents is a year.
"Some of the residents come from heartbreaking stories, but step forward and become part of successful people in the community," Smith said.
All residents are required to find and keep a job, and they must pay rent, which includes housing and food.
They also are required to attend a recovery meeting once a day and help with chores.
Souder toured the home that contains bunk beds, a kitchen, eating/TV area and laundry facilities.
Smith said there is a zero-tolerance policy where residents are given random drug tests and tested for alcohol use.
Residents must attend seven 12-step meetings each week and complete the "Back to Basics" concentrated 12-step program during the first 30 days.
For more information about Serenity House, visit www.serenityhouseinc.org
Souder, co-chair of the Congressional caucus on drug policy, met with staff, board members and residents to learn more about the home.
He said the tour provided him insight into the topic of drug and alcohol addictions and the recovery process.[[In-content Ad]]Souder saId he was pleased to learn more about the home.
"I support a program such as this that has supervision and accountability," he said.
The house is located at 622 E. Fort Wayne St. It opened in August 2006. It currently houses 15 male residents and is one of four Serenity House homes that offers a drug and alcohol recovery program.
There are two other homes in Auburn that assist men with addictions, and a home in Auburn for females.
Serenity House is considering purchasing an additional home in Warsaw to assist with the growing need for its services.
"We have 13 applicants on a waiting list right now and not enough room to house those seeking recovery from drug and alcohol abuse," said House Manager Jeff "Hoss" Smith.
He said a planning committee is considering a fundraiser and applying for grants so an additional home can be purchased.
Serenity House is a project that is part of 4Community Collaboration's and United Way's efforts to address funding and grant opportunities to fight illegal drugs and substance abuse.
The initial funding for Serenity House was part of a grant opportunity from Indiana Association of United Ways that would match, dollar-for-dollar, 10 percent of Kosciusko County's 2002 United Way campaign.
K21 Foundation also provided a grant last year for repairs to the home.
Smith said he was honored Souder toured the facility and showed an interest in the recovery home.
Souder's representative, Allison McSherry, also toured the recovery home.
Matt Rice, Serenity House executive director, said the average stay for residents is a year.
"Some of the residents come from heartbreaking stories, but step forward and become part of successful people in the community," Smith said.
All residents are required to find and keep a job, and they must pay rent, which includes housing and food.
They also are required to attend a recovery meeting once a day and help with chores.
Souder toured the home that contains bunk beds, a kitchen, eating/TV area and laundry facilities.
Smith said there is a zero-tolerance policy where residents are given random drug tests and tested for alcohol use.
Residents must attend seven 12-step meetings each week and complete the "Back to Basics" concentrated 12-step program during the first 30 days.
For more information about Serenity House, visit www.serenityhouseinc.org
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