The Bennington Fund for Recovery will give the gift of stable, supportive recovery residences (RRs) for men, women, and their children to regain their footing. Those recovering from drug and alcohol abuse are fighting for their health, for their lives, and for better futures. They are survivors who are doing everything they can to start over. They need and deserve all the help they can get.
We've lost too many promising, bright, young Vermonters to alcohol and opioid misuse. Heartbreakingly, it's hard to find someone these days who doesn't have a family member, friend, or loved one who's battled substance use disorder. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this crisis. Those struggling with addiction have dealt with isolation, loss of loved ones and jobs, and disruption to every facet of daily life.
The choices for getting back on track and regaining stability in recovery are daunting in Bennington County. If you can get transportation at all, the closest RRs are over 55 miles away, in Rutland or White River Junction. For the 570 Bennington County residents who've already done the hard work of undergoing treatment and getting sober, having a structured, stable living arrangement where you're surrounded by others who are committed to sobriety is critical to staying on the path to recovery.
RRs offer a safe, supportive environment that promotes recovery from SUD, and the associated problems those with SUD face. We are so close to having the funding needed to create 16 RR beds in Bennington, but we need your help to make this happen! Skyrocketing labor and material costs are threatening this project. Seemingly overnight, our quotes from contractors rose 10-20% to keep up with gas prices and inflation. Our current estimates project a budget gap between $120,000 and $150,000. We're working hard to apply for grants to close this gap, but we need your help.
Recovery takes tremendous courage and resolve. The early stages are especially difficult, with relapse rates hovering between 40 and 60% ( NIDA, 2020). A safe, supportive environment where residents are surrounded by others who are committed to sobriety can be pivotal to getting individuals back on their feet and prepared to thrive.
Recovery Residences work. Those who are able to access RRs after SUD treatment discharge “had significantly lower substance use, significantly higher monthly income, and significantly lower incarceration rates,” even compared with individuals who left treatment to a “usual-care condition” such as outpatient treatment or self-help groups.
Join us in fighting this devastating epidemic in our community. Donate today and share this post so we can reach our goal and get this housing BUILT!
For more information, go to shireshousing.org/recovery-housing/ or email madison.kremer@shireshousing.org.
Highlights
See all activity42Success Stories
These are just a few of the moving stories shared by Vermonters who've sought support from other Recovery Residences managed by VFOR around the State:
"VFOR has saved me, without a safe place to go I would still be out there using. I've got my life back, a good job, a hobby I love. I picked up painting and it's given me a purpose, since covid restrictions. I feel safe and have growing relationships. Rehab was not a long enough time away from my using and I needed more time, vfor was the place me, I'm growing as as person. I can't thank you enough for giving me a chance."
"I have been living in VFOR's Morrisville home for women since May of 2021. I love it here. I am very fortunate to have a nice home with women that are going through some of the same struggles that I am. There is always someone here for me to talk to and seek comfort and or advice. It also allows me an opportunity to help others. I find the structure of the VFOR policies to be great for learning to live on my own again. Small things as a clean room and clean house help me to feel good about myself. Living in the house also holds me accountable and has been very helpful. My house manager Brenda and Andrew have been great support and resources for me. I know I could call either one with any questions or concerns. I thank VFOR for this opportunity to get back on my feet."
"Living in a VFOR home has provided me with structure, resources, and a good local recovery network. Since living here I’ve started a great new job, gained some financial stability, and mended relationships with friends and family members. [...] Everyday presents new challenges as I grow and make progress in my life of recovery. I’m grateful for everyday that I’m sober and have to say that if it wasn’t for VFOR I wouldn’t be where I am today. Now I find myself preparing for the next big step in my life where I move out on my own to continue living a life free from drugs and alcohol. I’d recommend VFOR to anyone out there who’s struggling to stay sober in these trying times."
"About 7 months ago I came into VFOR. I was a wreck. I had just got out of rehab after 5 years of sobriety. I became complacent and stopped going to meetings. I did everything in my power to isolate myself from others and just went to work. I found myself drunk or high at work and crashed my jeep into a semi, head on one night. Despite one slip up, I learned here that helping others helps me. I'm now 6 months sober and moving forward with my life for the better. VFOR gave me a chance to shine and then a second chance to do it right."
Statistics
- Among the 50 states, Vermont has the 4th highest rate of alcohol dependence and the highest rate of illicit drug use disorder in the country.
- The number of people being treated for heroin or other opioid use in Vermont increased 1540% from 2000 to 2017.
- Overdose-related deaths in 2021 increased 50% over the previous 3-year average fentanyl-related fatalities and have risen particularly sharply in Bennington County.
- Vermont only has enough Recovery Residences to accommodate 2% of those leaving treatment each year (212 beds for roughly 1,200 individuals).
- 65% of the RR beds are located in Chittenden County, though it makes up only 24% of the total persons receiving substance use disorder treatment statewide.
- The closest VTARR-certified recovery residences to Bennington was the Phoenix House located in Brattleboro, but it closed abruptly in 2021, not for lack of demand. And the next closest residence, the Dismas Houses in Rutland, is nearly 55 miles away and designed for those transitioning from incarceration.
- Individuals who entered Recovery Residences after SUD treatment discharge “had significantly lower substance use, significantly higher monthly income, and significantly lower incarceration rates” compared with individuals who left treatment to a “usual-care condition” (i.e. outpatient treatment or self-help groups).
- A 2019 statewide report identified a need for 1 recovery residence for men and 1 for women or women with dependent children in Bennington.
