Story and Video: Youth Services System Opens New Recovery Homes In Wheeling
Photo by Joselyn King Emily Freeman-Waters, chair of the board of directors for Youth Services System, takes the podium during the open house for new recovery houses in downtown Wheeling on Tuesday.
Photo by Joselyn King Jill Eddy, chief executive officer of Youth Services System, takes the podium during the open house for new recovery houses in downtown Wheeling on Tuesday.
Photo by Joselyn King Nic Cochran, director of Recovery Homes at Youth Services System, takes the podium during the open house for new recovery houses in downtown Wheeling on Tuesday.
Photo by Joselyn King Shelley Rohrig, left, and Dawn Sorg check out the amenities at the new recovery houses opened by Youth Services System on Tuesday.
Photo by Joselyn King Emily Freeman-Waters, chair of the board of directors for Youth Services System, takes the podium during the open house for new recovery houses in downtown Wheeling on Tuesday.
Photo by Joselyn King Jill Eddy, chief executive officer of Youth Services System, takes the podium during the open house for new recovery houses in downtown Wheeling on Tuesday.
Photo by Joselyn King Nic Cochran, director of Recovery Homes at Youth Services System, takes the podium during the open house for new recovery houses in downtown Wheeling on Tuesday.
Photo by Joselyn King Shelley Rohrig, left, and Dawn Sorg check out the amenities at the new recovery houses opened by Youth Services System on Tuesday.
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WHEELING - Those needing drug recovery services now have updated residences to build new routines while living alongside peers living with the same issues.
Youth Services System has relocated two of its state-certified recovery homes in Wheeling into newly constructed manufactured homes in downtown Wheeling.
Lazarus House and Mark's House, both previously located in East Wheeling, both have been moved to the 2300 block of Eoff Street in Wheeling. The homes each house men during recovery.
A third recovery home for women, Mary Martha's House, will be relocated to the former Mark's House located on Wheeling Island.
The men were expected to move into their facilities later on Tuesday, while the women will relocate on Friday, according to Nic Cochran, director of recovery homes for YSS.
"The best thing about these facilities is we now have the space to really come together as a family, share our time, share our resources and just be a family together," Cochran said. "We can share our meals together in this place, and we've got a lot a room for family game night."
Eight people can be housed in each of the three houses for a total of 24. That is five more beds than the 19 the group homes collectively held before moving, he noted.
"We needed more space, and we needed dignified housing for our residents," Cochran continued. "The houses we were in served their purposes for a very long time. They were great. But, however, it was time to upgrade and have something new for our people."
The YSS recovery homes strive to provide stable housing for people continuing their recovery after treatment who are working toward a greater independence.
Recovery housing serves as a step down from intensive treatment. Residents live in a structured, peer-supported environment. They are expected to follow house rules and support one another as they work, attend school, participate in their communities and take steps toward independent living.
Jill Eddy, CEO of Youth Services System, told those gathered for the open house on Tuesday "recovery does happen." She has seen this in her own family.
Eddy became emotional as she noted her own brother had been a resident at Lazarus House and has now been sober for 20 years. She credited a community support system for his success.
"Individuals battling addiction need our support and guidance," she said. "People in recovery may be our family, our friends, our neighbors and co-workers. They are a part of our daily living.
"It's not just a journey for individuals in recovery, but for all of us," Eddy continued.