Spring Break
Recovery House assists local homeless, alcoholics
Non-profit house helps residents through recovery, job hunt using 6-month program
Casey Cheney
Issue date: 4/23/09 Section: News
Though it's in a residential area on the corner of Waldron and Manning streets, the building doesn't fit in with the surrounding houses. There's no swing set, no fence and nothing to fence in.
The New Way Recovery House doesn't look like much, but for its 10 residents, it's home. The non-profit houses homeless residents and sponsors Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
"It helps them get back into the community if they aren't working," said Dale Mason, who founded New Way with his wife two years ago.
He said he and his wife are "in recovery," both having completed the AA program in the past. He's been sober for 20 years now. The date is inscribed next to his name on a cinderblock wall inside the house, amongst myriad other names and "sobriety dates."
Outside, the word "truth" is scrawled in black spray-paint across the faded wood-panel exterior, perhaps reflecting the journey of those within. Cigarette butts litter the small cement porch where most homes would have a welcome mat.
Taped to the windowpane of the front door is a sheet of paper bearing a triangle inside a circle, the symbol of Alcoholics Anonymous. Beneath are listed the times of the AA meetings held there.
Mason said he spent 17 of his last 20 sober years visiting the Hope House, a rehab center in Jonesville, Mich. But some internal conflicts occurred at the Hope House about three years ago, Mason said, and he and his wife decided not to return.
Instead, Mason began looking for a place in Hillsdale where he could hold AA meetings. He said he noticed a place for lease on Manning Street. After leasing the place for a couple of months, he decided to purchase the house and form its current structure.
Mason said New Way has housed approximately 60 or 70 people in the two years it's been around. They work with the courts and counselors.
Since the Hope House closes soon, they have begun referring people to New Way. But some people simply walk in looking for help.
The New Way Recovery House doesn't look like much, but for its 10 residents, it's home. The non-profit houses homeless residents and sponsors Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
"It helps them get back into the community if they aren't working," said Dale Mason, who founded New Way with his wife two years ago.
He said he and his wife are "in recovery," both having completed the AA program in the past. He's been sober for 20 years now. The date is inscribed next to his name on a cinderblock wall inside the house, amongst myriad other names and "sobriety dates."
Outside, the word "truth" is scrawled in black spray-paint across the faded wood-panel exterior, perhaps reflecting the journey of those within. Cigarette butts litter the small cement porch where most homes would have a welcome mat.
Taped to the windowpane of the front door is a sheet of paper bearing a triangle inside a circle, the symbol of Alcoholics Anonymous. Beneath are listed the times of the AA meetings held there.
Mason said he spent 17 of his last 20 sober years visiting the Hope House, a rehab center in Jonesville, Mich. But some internal conflicts occurred at the Hope House about three years ago, Mason said, and he and his wife decided not to return.
Instead, Mason began looking for a place in Hillsdale where he could hold AA meetings. He said he noticed a place for lease on Manning Street. After leasing the place for a couple of months, he decided to purchase the house and form its current structure.
Mason said New Way has housed approximately 60 or 70 people in the two years it's been around. They work with the courts and counselors.
Since the Hope House closes soon, they have begun referring people to New Way. But some people simply walk in looking for help.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Gary E. Kemp
posted 6/05/09 @ 3:15 PM EST
This is a good story BUT New way is not a non profit.
The New Way Recovery House is a very good place to learn to live life on lifes terms. Clean & sober. (Continued…)
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