Having returned to Lynchburg clean and sober with 3 years of continuous recovery, I wanted to be part of Recovery at St. John's work. Unfortunately, the organization was poorly run, financially bankrupt, and the premises were in deplorable condition. I attended and chaired 12 Step meetings there; made regular donations of food, time, and cash; and ferried recovering residents to meetings. However, I cut off contact with the organization after witnessing the director's dishonesty, manipulation, and other unethical practices. The building was infested with bed bugs. Residents frequently had no heat in the winter. At times the building had no power, cable, internet and phone service. There was little supervision, accountability, therapy, or relapse prevention counseling for the residents. The results? Multiple relapses for many of the residents. I was relieved when I heard the facility had permanently closed and the organization had been disbanded.

God’s gifts are abundant! That’s how I feel since coming to the place that is becoming Recovery at St. Johns recovery center. So many have already come to share their gifts and talents that I humbly believe this maybe bigger than us. When I first came into the empty, decrepit looking building, I was excited - it seemed to have immense possibilities. After groups of people starting coming this past year to lend a hand and do some work, the rooms started to have some ‘spirit’. Now, it’s feeling a bit more wholesome and welcoming. The Recovery at St. John’s center is a gift to me, for my own recovery and for sharing it with others.

I am a recovering alcoholic,sober one day at a time for over seven years.I have watched this project from the very start ,grow from a dream into a reality. The people I have met along this journey are very passionate about this undertaking and I am sure it will be a huge success.
However this project as any other needs community assistance.But unlike many other community projects,I feel this one will give back in ways you cannot imagine! Such as giving you your loved ones back and restoring your community.