By Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Recovery Alive cut the ribbon on their new home for men, dubbed “Still Waters” last week.
It is located on the banks of Lake Jordan. Many of the officials of Recovery Alive, and members of Shoal Creek Baptist Church were in attendance. Also in attendance were men and women who have gone through the Recovery Alive program, to tell their success stories of leaving a life of addiction.
While there was cause for celebration, another group of area residents were just across the property line, watching. All that talked to the EAN said they believe in recovery, and like the mission in general. But they have serious concerns about this type of facility located in their area, and very little advance notice was given to area residents. Most say they found out when the invitation to the ribbon cutting was placed on a Facebook page for Lake Jordan interests.
They said they agree with the mission, but it is not their mission.
The two-bedroom, two-bath waterfront home will house up to six men. There is a stringent interview process, and a committee will make the final determination if the person is the right fit for any house.
Tracy Boozer is a National Recovery Ambassador for Recovery Alive, and a member of Shoal Creek Baptist Church. She said that before being allowed to enter the recovery home as a resident, there is drug testing, and the applicant must be clean. Applicants are screened, interviewed, and a committee votes on each individual. Random drug testing is done while they live in the home. Residents are required to get a job, or if they are on social security, do community service activities. They are also required to attend substance abuse classes and regular church services at Shoal Creek Baptist Church, which is supporting the program.
The home is a rental property, and Boozer said the home’s owner is aware of the Recovery Alive program, and how the house will be used.
There is a security system, and indoor and outdoor security cameras for monitoring the home. Residents must be inside the home by 10 p.m. each evening. Recovery Alive officials and men of the church will be visiting the home often, Boozer said.
She said she has spoken to many neighbors over the past few weeks and heard their concerns. “We are not going to place anyone in this home, or any of our homes, that we feel are a danger to the public.”
Any resident who breaks the rules can be removed from the home, she said.
Lori is a recovering addict, who is currently living in a Recovery Alive home for women. The first home for women in Alabama was opened last year, also in Elmore County. It is called Ray of Hope.
Lori said it has been a place for peace, understanding and a family, Christian atmosphere. Lori attended the ribbon cutting, and said she knows this will be a place where others can find support and the ability to start a new, clean life. “For the first time in my life I have joy. I have a home and a family.”
She admits she faced things in her life that led her to bad decisions and addiction. “Addiction took everything from me, including my home, and children.”
Through her recovery, Lori said she has reestablished a relationship with her children, and for the first time in years, she has hope for the future.
As we spoke to neighbors on the other side of the property line, it was not that they oppose people receiving help. They just do not feel it should be in a densely populated, residential area with single women and a lot of kids.
Lea Bassett recently bought property that is right next door to Still Waters. She said when she purchased the home six months ago, she was not told that her neighbors would be part of a Recovery Alive program. She had dreamed of creating her own safe place, on the water, but now she is not sure if she will keep the property.
Bassett said she reached out to Recovery Alive and offered an alternative. She offered to donate a mobile home, if they found a location. But she said she never heard back from officials.
For her, it is more than just being worried about who her neighbors are, but that she learned traumatically that people just out of prison can do horrible things. She experienced the loss of her uncle six years ago, who was murdered in Prattville by a man who had just been released. So, this is personal for her.
We spoke to other ladies who live just across the lake, but in view of the home. They fear that their privacy could be violated if they want to sunbathe. “How do I know if one of the guys aren’t watching me with binoculars?”
One said she feels that “lake life” is not conducive to recovering addicts. “Everyone knows that people come here to drink,” she said, adding there would be a lot of temptation.
Boozer said she hopes that with time, the area residents will learn more about the program and become comfortable. “There were some concerns when we opened our women’s home in Elmore County. But now we hear nothing but positive comments from the neighbors.” She said she prays that the men’s home will eventually have the same support.
To learn more about Recovery Alive, including information about becoming a resident, visit www.recoveryalive.com
You can follow updates on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/recoveryaliveinc
