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January 2010 Newsletter2009 was very rewarding year for all involved with Serenity Homes of Oregon. We are delighted to announce that because of generous gifts from people in our community with our unique recovery housing model, we were able to attract an anonymous $25,000 matching grant opportunity for 2009. All gifts that were collected from April 1 to June 30 up to $25,000 would be matched. During this matching time period, we raised $37,720.00, for a year to date total of $82076.00.Community support allowed us to recently open SHO house three and with your help we are looking forward to opening up SHO house four before April 2010. We continue to receive inquiries and referrals from the top treatment facilities throughout our community and across the country. This generous support is helping to make real differences in the lives of our residents, real change, right now. A recent example of our success is illustrated by Peter S, who since joining SHO has reconnected with his family, completed his degree from USC, and now has founded a local AA meeting right here in our community! Many of SHO’s residents have chosen Loaves and Fishes/Meals on Wheels as their organization to fulfill their volunteering requirement. Such as Zachary A. who has taken up SHO’s call to provide volunteer support to other deserving organizations in the community, giving 43 hours in the month of November to Loaves and Fishes/Meals on Wheels. Without the community’s continued support success stories such as Peter S. and Zachary A. would not be possible.Our Board continued to strengthen as we filled two vacated positions with new members, bringing the total number of directors to eight. New Board additions - Meta Chaney and Sean Leahy bring backgrounds in nursing and construction to our existing Board list: Larry Street (Board Chair), Tom Skoro, Ethel Hedlund, Larry Peterson, Lorraine Bailey and Aubrey Leahy. “New Beginning’s”, our membership gift society continues its strong support of our organization with seven members increasing their annual gift amounts over previous years.2010 promises to be an exciting and fulfilling year for Serenity Homes of Oregon. Since our inception, one of our main goals has been to reach a point of sustainability. If we are able to open homes 4 and 5 in the coming year, that monumental milestone will be realized. The first step towards getting these homes open came to us as an anonymous matching grant of $25,000 for all donations received during the months of December 2009 and January and February 2010. If we are able to receive the continued community and donor support we have received in years past from that point through the end of the year, we will be able to get both homes opened and achieve our goal.
SHO Resident Testimonial:
Adam F. When I left my first treatment center, I tried to simply return home, resume my life, and to stay sober in an unstructured environment with no accountability. It didn't work. Although I didn't relapse, I fought with my wife, found other ways to act out, and was miserable. I ended up returning to treatment for two more months. When I was discharged this time, I knew I couldn't go home. I needed a place to live where I was surrounded by men in active recovery. I needed an environment in which I was accountable for my actions and behaviors, and I could share all my challenges with those I lived with.Serenity Homes was highly recommended by my treatment center and by my therapist. It was immediately available, and it was clear that William & Greg knew what they were doing, and had compassion and empathy for my situation and my needs. The rules were clear, the environment was structured, and the other residents were open and caring. I knew this was the place I needed.Since arriving at my new home, I have begun to work a disciplined program of recovery. My days are planned out, I go to a meeting every day, and I report my progress, successes and challenges regularly. I am in an environment dedicated to supporting my recovery - and including me in the recovery of others. My relationship with my wife is better than it has ever been. I am happier and more confident than any other time in my life. My course is clear, and I have men who will help me stick with it. Serenity Homes has been invaluable to me.
Other NewsReflections on the program from a friend of the organization Story printed in the February 20th, 2009 issue of Just Out Story printed in the Business Journal September 12th, 2008
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