Stories

Melissa was raised in a tight knit Italian home that was not marred by alcoholism or addiction. Although she started to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana with friends in high school, overall her life was pretty normal.  What Melissa did not know is that she had undiagnosed mental health issues; anxiety and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). From her early childhood, she experienced sleepless nights, panic attacks, and obsessive thoughts. In her teen years, she discovered that drinking slowed down those obsessive…

My name is Anna Hoyt, and I have struggled with alcoholism and addiction since I was 13 years old. As a child and young adult I was painfully shy. I never felt like I belonged and I always felt alone. At first, I used alcohol to relieve my social anxiety, and I was suddenly transformed into the life of the party. Then in my late teens, I experimented with all kinds of drugs — meth, cocaine, acid, mushrooms, etc. I…

    Read the real life story of our Founder and Director, Bobbi Jo Reed.  From the ashes of addiction, prostitution, rape and homelessness comes an inspiring true story of faith, love, mercy and hope.  Not only did God redeem Bobbi Jo, He continues to redeem others through her relentless recovery ministry.  To order the book online click here.

With a last name like Patton he is bound to be called “General” from time to time.  “General” Jim Patton is the fearless leader of the “Thursday Crew”, a group of 15-20 retired or semi-retired men who spend most Thursdays getting their hands dirty at Healing House.  Jim began leading this group more than 7 years ago, when they were first introduced to Healing House to help renovate the Ruth House.  Since that time he and his crew have helped…

If you have been to the Hall recently you have probably met Karen, or at least you may have noticed her mentoring new residents.   As the Hall Supervisor, she teaches life skills through community service.  New residents learn food prep, organize clothing donations, and help keep the Hall neat and clean.  A mother of three daughters, Karen knows the value of hard work.  Her constant encouragement is an inspiration for those who are just beginning their sobriety journey. Nearly every…

Our featured volunteer this month is Tom, better known as “Alpha Tom”.  Most Tuesday and Friday nights you can find him at the Hall teaching, mentoring and encouraging our residents.  Nearly 7 years ago Tom helped launch the Friday Night Alpha Program (i.e. The Basics of the Christian Faith) at Healing House.  Since that time Friday Night Alpha has become a weekly tradition.  Tuesday night recovery meetings are also a staple of our recovery program that Tom helped start in…

Halee is the ultimate Healing House volunteer.  She works quietly behind the scenes every week publishing the monthly newsletter, updating the website, entering client data, and faithfully performing other office chores.  Halee has also written several grant applications for funding.  Her broad range of skills makes her a valuable asset for the ministry. Halee was born in a small Nebraska town.  She met her husband Andrew at college in Iowa.  The first few years of married life involved living abroad…

Liz is living proof that addiction knows no boundaries.  Addiction does not care about age, gender, race, culture, religion, geography or social status.  Liz is also living proof that addiction is a lifelong battle that can only be defeated one day at a time. Liz was adopted at 2 months and raised with 2 adopted sisters by a single mom.  Her grandfather was an Episcopal priest.  She attended both private and public schools during childhood in suburbia.  Life was relatively “normal” until she took her…

Everybody knows Bob.  He is a veritable icon at Healing House and an incredible inspiration to residents and volunteers alike.  Bob is currently the House Manager of Agape III among his many other responsibilities.  A beautiful rescue dog named “Baby Girl” is his constant companion.  Bob has become a great man of faith and will celebrate 6 years of sobriety in January 2018.   But life has not been easy for Bob.  Born and raised in Kansas City, KS his father died when Bob was…