Rockbridge Recovery’s Hope House celebrated its first year of operations on April 17.
Rockbridge Recovery also announced the hiring of a new executive director, Stephanie RiCharde. (See story on page XX for details.)
The Hope House provides a safe and supportive living environment for individuals in recovery from addiction. This celebration serves as a reminder of the hard work and progress made by those in recovery, and it inspires them to continue their path of sobriety, said Lori Turner, fiscal agent for the organization.
The Hope House uses a peer-based recovery support model in which individuals in recovery, with lived experience of a substance use disorder, provide support and encouragement to others facing similar challenges. This support is delivered in various formats, including one-on-one coaching, mentoring, connecting to resources, and facilitating group activities.
“Recovery housing is crucial because it provides a stable, sober environment and a supportive community, which significantly reduces the risk of relapse and promotes positive recovery outcomes,” said Turner. “This includes increased self-esteem, reduced likelihood of return to use, lower rates of incarceration, and improved family relationships.”
The Hope House has been able to house and assist 10 men over the past year and currently houses six residents, two of which will soon be added to the list of graduates from the program.
“The Hope House provides trained peer support specialist staff in an affordable and substance- free environment,” said Mike Taylor, program manager. “Sober living is the next step to transition back into everyday life after treatment. The staff provides valuable services, which include helping residents build a resume, reclaim a driver’s license, build healthy relationships and more. Residents also attend support groups regularly and participate in events together, to build a rapport and support each other in their recovery journey.”
As part of the celebration, the Hope House released a video featuring staff members who shared their heartfelt feelings about the program. This video can be viewed at the link https://www.rrhopehouse.org/ anniversary-video.
Rockbridge Recovery also operates two peer drop-in centers located at 119 East 28th St. and 1809 Magnolia Ave. in Buena Vista. Staff at both locations offer one-on-one peer sessions without an appointment, group meetings, fitness and wellness center, meals for clients and laundry facilities. Groups include Grief Support, SMART Recovery, Peer Support Group, Veterans Support Group, Adolescent Prevention Group, and Friends and Family Group.
Rockbridge Recovery also serves as the area’s only harm reduction site offering REVIVE training, naloxone, fentanyl, xylazine, benzodiazepine and nitazine testing strips, condoms and resource materials for area services.
From the start, Rockbridge Recovery has looked for the gaps in the resources available in Rockbridge County and provided services that did not previously exist locally.
“I am incredibly impressed by the support the Rockbridge community has given to this program,” said Turner. “Local governments, foundations, businesses, churches, tradespeople, suppliers, and individuals have stepped up in so many ways to make Rockbridge Recovery and Hope House possible. Because the people we serve have little, if any, financial capability, we will continue to need our neighbors’ generosity to continue.”
For more information about the Hope House or any of Rockbridge Recovery’s services, visit the website at rrhopehouse.org or call (540) 572-2312. To support the organization, residents can give through the website or mail checks to P.O. Box 583 Buena Vista, VA 24416.
