Baconton area transitional house will help women survive the storm of drug addiction

BACONTON – In a relatively secluded location in Mitchell County, women looking to overcome drug addiction and figure out the next steps in their lives will soon be able to continue their journey toward healing.

Surviving Our Storms is a transitional housing setting scheduled to open on Nov. 15 with eight residents, about half of the number it will be able to house at full capacity.

For homeless women, the large building located in Baconton in a rural setting is a place that staff believes will be conducive to providing a space where residents can reflect, meditate and relax on the road to recovery.

Headed up by two women who are themselves in long-term recovery, the facility on Jackson Dairy Road was in use until June by the Thomasville-based Georgia Pines organization as a co-ed residential program.

On Monday, Director Michele Anduze and Assistant Director Martha Thompson, known as “Sunshine,” were busy putting some of the finishing touches on the building, which has been renovated.

The facility contains a large fireplace with love seats set intimately in the community room, a meditation area and art room, and a large courtyard for getting some sunshine and barbecues.

“It’s going to be wonderful out here,” Anduze said. “I am excited for these women to come out here and for there to be life out here. We want to make it home. We want to make it comfortable. We just want to bring something different, to be of service.”

There are a few nearby facilities where men can receive the services that will be offered at Surviving Our Storms, but there is not much in the way of transitional centers for women, she said. That means that many women who go through an initial program are left without options after that period.

“They go right back to where they came from,” Anduze said. “We want to interrupt the pattern. That’s what we want to do. We kept being asked when we can do something for women, (and) then this building became available.”

Currently, the director is getting ready to select the initial eight women for the transitional living center. Surviving Our Storms will work with the court system and drug courts, among the many partners who will be involved.

The facility also has a partnership with Hopedealers Worldwide, which was established to assist individuals in recovery and their families. Among the services provided through that organization are health and dental insurance.

It also is affiliated with the Cutliff Grove Family Resource Center located in Albany.

The cost for women who will live in the Baconton facility is $150 per week, and working will be a requirement for most residents. The women will receive assistance in finding work.

While at Surviving Our Storms residents will have the opportunity to pursue a GED or pursue college-level courses.

“That will allow our ladies to obtain a degree,” Anduze said. “If this is what they want, this is what we offer. Some will be just interested in working, getting a foundation under their feet so they will be OK.”

Residents will be able to stay at Surviving Our Storms for up to 18 months.

The facility will provide an environment where women can feel safe and plan out what is next for them, said Thompson, who will live on-site.

“For the first 30 days, you can get to know you, be still and see what you want,” she said. “It’s very much needed for women. For me, living in a place like this, away from everybody, is going to be amazing. Recovery knows no boundaries. We’re excited to be in Mitchell County. I love it out here. It’s just peaceful.”

About four or five staff members will work with the women, who will be transported to GED classes, jobs, recovery meetings and on shopping trips.

One need the program has is for a passenger van, Thompson said. Women also will be able to have child visitation.

One Albany program that will figure into the recovery process is The Change Center, an addiction recovery support center located downtown. Some of the residents at the home will likely attend recovery meetings there.

Those women will be welcome, Change Center Director Alesha Burgman said. Burgman also welcomes a women’s transitional residential center because there are none in the area.

“We’re really excited about the opportunities that will be available for women in recovery,” she said. “We’re excited about the ability to have the opportunity for women to transfer to a structured residential environment with women who have lived experience with recovery and have a heart and a passion working with others.

“These two women have really been instrumental in a number of women’s lives as it pertains to recovery. I’m excited to have a place for women.”

Southwest Georgia women who live at the Baconton facility also will be closer to their children, Burgman said. The residents also will have learning and job opportunities that will help them during the early recovery period.

“We need as many opportunities as we can get for women,” she said. “I am glad we had ladies to answer the call to serve the community.”

For more information or to apply for Surviving Our Storms, visit https://survivingourstorm.org/.

Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/f714026fc83d6150ab9a4350b4169940?s=100&d=mm&r=gStaff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
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Staff Photo: Alan MauldinAlanMauldin[email protected]
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