DLC’s Recovery Residence: H0PE HOME

Due to a lack of certified recovery homes in Collier County – which are often full – David Lawrence Centers for Behavioral Health (DLC), Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit behavioral health provider serving children, adults and families, saw a great need to help ensure the best possible treatment outcomes for individuals in substance-use recovery, especially in light of the opioid epidemic, where relapse rates and overdose risk are higher for those in early recovery.

Increasing supportive housing for individuals with substance use and mental health challenges is one of six priority areas outlined in Collier County’s five-year strategic plan for mental health and addiction services. Approved by the Board of County Commissioners in the Fall of 2019, the plan serves as a road map for community partners and government leaders as they mobilize responses to address current and future challenges related to the six priority areas.

As a result, DLC recently opened its first recovery residence: Hope Home. Hope Home is a six bed residence for men located in Naples, and it is one of only four Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR) certified homes in Collier County.

Hope Home is supported by recovery support specialists with sustained recovery and provides a substance-free, affordable living option for men in early recovery. The home is designed to help individuals transition from substance use recovery programs into daily life in the community.

The mission of Hope Home is to enable personal growth and powerful life transformations in a safe, sober, and peer led environment where individuals foster connections with the recovery community, thrive in their responsibilities, and work toward fulfilling and successful independent living.

Hope Home residents have access to recovery meetings, weekly house meetings, and fellowship activities organized around recovery. DLC’s Peer Recovery Support Specialists will provide support, a direction of healing, and new relationships that can sustain residents through the challenges of early sobriety. In addition to being affordable and supportive, Hope Home reduces barriers to accessing housing for individuals who may have been criminalized or stigmatized due to their addiction.

A sober living environment was an important step in maintaining recovery for Angela Delgado, who transitioned into a recovery residence after successfully completing the Collier County Drug Court program. There, she spent nearly three years living away from old contacts and temptations and learned life skills, team work, self-respect, and responsibility from her peers -people who could relate to her challenges.

“It was helpful to be around other individuals with addictions who are on the same journey,” said Delgado. “There are rules, accountability, structure, daily meetings, and you have a curfew. I did the work, but had DLC not shown me the way and showed me compassion and love, I would not have gotten better.”

The cost to purchase the home and complete the renovations for the five acre, five bedroom residence totaled over $630,000. To date, 63 donors have contributed $400,000. DLC is seeking $200,000 in donations to cover the remaining costs.

“These are community issues and they require community solutions,” said Scott Burgess, DLC President and CEO. “It is critically important to ensure care is available for all those in need, and we humbly welcome others to partner with us to fund the remaining costs for Hope Home.”

For more information, visit DLCHopeHome.org, or call239-455-8500. DLC is a national leader providing compassionate, advanced, and exceptional mental health, substance use, and integrated healthcare solutions. DLC’s innovative treatment includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services –a comprehensive system of care funded by community and government support.