Published: March 21, 2008 10:57 pm            

A room of their own

Sponsors for rehab rooms still needed

The community’s donations and decorative touch are being called upon to finish construction of the Liberty Place Recovery Center for Women LLC that is to open its doors in July.

Karen Bailey, program developer for Kentucky River Foothills Development Council Inc., is asking community members to consider sponsoring one of the facility’s dorm rooms.

“This is an opportunity for the region to assist in the coordinated effort to confront addiction,” Bailey said.

Richmond’s first long-term substance abuse recovery center for women, located on Lake Street, will feature a recovery program model that includes peer support, daily living skills, job responsibilities and challenges to practice sober living.

“This unique type of supportive housing and recovery program is proven to help people who face the most complex challenges to live more stable, productive lives,” she said.

The same model is used at Lexington’s Hope Center and The Healing Place in Louisville.

The three living phases are: safe off the streets, motivational tracks one and two and transitional housing.

The 30,000-square-foot facility includes 32 double-occupancy bedrooms, six larger apartments and two short-term rooms.

Foothills is purchasing twin bed frames, mattress sets, a writing desk, desk chair and curtains, but the rest must be donated.

The rooms will have six bunk beds and will need: two desk lamps; 12 small sets of storage containers; 24 sets of twin sheets with pillowcases; 12 twin comforters; 24 pillows; 12 blankets; 12 mattress pads; clothes hangers; 48 bath towels (no white or light colors); 120 washcloths (no white or light colors); 12 laundry bags; two wastebaskets for the bedroom and two for the bathroom; two shower curtains; two shower liners; two sets of shower curtain hooks; two bath rugs; and five hair dryers.

Optional items include a rug for entry, additional storage containers, throws, framed artwork and other decorative items.

The transitional housing double-occupancy rooms and larger apartments will each need: a desk lamp; one alarm clock with radio; two sets of large storage containers; four sets of twin sheets with pillowcases; two twin comforters; four pillows; two blankets; two twin mattress pads; clothes hangers; eight bath towels (no white or light colors); 20 washcloths (no white or light colors); two laundry bags; wastebaskets for the bedrooms and bathrooms; an over-the-door shoe rack; shower curtains and liners; shower curtain hooks; bath rugs; hair dryers; and medium-sized bulletin boards.

Optional items include a rug for entry, additional storage containers, throws and framed artwork.

A curtain sample will be provided for those who decide to adopt a room, and all bedding must match that color.

If a person wants to sponsor a room but does not have time to shop for the materials, they can be purchased by a Foothills representative.

Room decorations can be done to the liking of the sponsor and can have different themes.

“We want you to be creative and personalize the room you adopt,” Bailey said. “This will be your room, and we want you to take ownership of it. Be creative and imaginative. You can either drop off your items or decorate your room personally.”

The project is a joint effort of the Kentucky Housing Corporation, the Governor’s Office for Local Development, the Department of Corrections and the FHL Bank of Cincinnati to build housing recovery centers in 10 locations across the state.

Operating funds come from the Kentucky Governors Office for Local Development (GOLD), the Kentucky Department of Corrections and the City of Richmond Project-Based Section 8 Housing.

The facility is not just for Madison County women. It also will be available to women from Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Estill, Fayette, Franklin, Garrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, Mercer, Montgomery, Powell, Scott and Woodford counties.

The only requirements for admission into the facility is that the person be willing to overcome their addictions, be 18 years or older and be homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Services for clients will be free.

Sponsor information packets can be obtained by visiting www.foothillscap.org.

Call Bailey at 624-2046 or stop by the Kentucky River Foothills Development Council at 309 Spangler Drive for more information.

Ronica Shannon can be reached at rshannon@richmondregister.com or 623-1669, Ext. 234.

        

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