Our goal is to provide housing for those who choosing sobriety, who need a place to decompress, who need a break in life.
Stable housing plays a critical role in recovery from substance use disorders. Those who cannot pay rent or face the threat of losing their homes also face the stress that triggers substance misuse and relapse. It is difficult, while homeless, to address substance use without a safe place to decompress because the use of alcohol or drugs is often a tool to cope with the dangers of life on the streets.
Most residents at Access Foundation will attest to their need for safe and supportive living conditions to promote their long-term recovery, their health and wellness, and guides their reunification with family.
Our evidence-based supported employment services, peer recovery mentors, and coordinated community services are incorporated with our affordable housing. The result – high percentages of individuals recovering in our homes are still housed and employed one year later.
Access Foundation works to create, build, and maintain mutually trusting relationships to help improve recovery outcomes. Trust is the bridge that connects people and contributes to a successful recovery.
The relationship comes first, people matter. When residents feel we care about them, they won’t sense being misunderstood or under-appreciated as we navigate awkward or uncomfortable times. At Access Foundation, we work with clients through rent payment difficulties, we hold a space for them if they relapse. We do this because people need support in tough times, and we really do care about them.
This starts in the first 30 days of residency. We look for signs that a person is committed to recovery and to a trusting relationship. This is a time of uncertainty, and both Access Foundation and the client are looking for assurance that things are under control. The investment in relationships begins with effective communication and a secure connection to the truth.
Belonging is far different than just feeling included. The house culture encourages the idea that residents can be themselves and feel like part of the community, rather than only being included, which suggests a focus on the numbers – meetings attended, days of continuous sobriety, labels.
Belonging is a crucial missing ingredient in many so-called Sober Living environments and institutional type programs. Belonging is something people instinctively crave. At Access Foundation, the Stable Environment Model provides residents with a sense of acceptance for who they are.
House structure, by its nature, will provide the concrete policies and practices that make up “inclusion.” But culture is harder to define, and therefore, difficult to fake or mask. We work very hard at Access Foundation to encourage recovery for the long-term. Often, that includes improved self-esteem, confidence, and just being yourself.
Certainly housing fulfills a basic human need for shelter, but it also contributes to the well being of individuals. Decent, affordable housing reduces stress, toxins, and infectious disease, which leads to improvement in both physical and mental health.
We are raising money though the Department of Workforce Services, the Olene Walker Housing Loan Fund, and Community Reinvestment funds to acquire and rehab our 5th home for those recovering from addiction.
We are driven to solve the problems of affordable housing to the most vulnerable populations. We have created a community of services and support. Authentic in our pursuit of improved circumstances for these individuals, we are resilient in the face of never ending challenges.
We have our next recovery residence on the horizon in Washington County. We will be acquiring The Mission and obtaining a State License to operate the Recovery Residence. We expect to help relieve community pressure to house individuals recovering from addiction. The Stable Environment Model encourages clients to regain health, well-being, and full participation in the rights, roles, and responsibilities of society. We are driven by citizen action and look to volunteers to help us make our community a better place. Please consider volunteering for projects, events, or ongoing support.
