In late June 2019, Courage House welcomed its first resident, a man who was recently released from prison and in recovery for substance abuse disorder. Some Gorham residents had expressed concern over the location of a halfway house in the center of town. But 15 months later, Al Garcia, Courage House program director, said, “We have not been perfect, but we are glad to be able to show people we are good neighbors.”
There are currently 16 men living in the house on School Street and every bed is filled. It is a voluntary program. All applicants are screened with case workers recommending applicants who they believe will benefit from group living. All are required to have counseling. During the past year about 50 men have lived in the house. “Some stay for just a few days,” Garcia said, “because they are not a good fit and move on.” Others stay and become part of the Gorham community.
First Parish Church welcomed the men from the beginning. “Courage House residents are our neighbors,” said the church’s pastor, Christine Dyke, adding, “They live right across the street.” Members deliver welcome baskets to new residents which include socks, underwear, playing cards, and personal hygiene items. Courage House is a line item in the church budget and some members have even donated their federal stimulus checks.
Photo credit Roger Marchand“Men leave prison with only the clothes on their back, sometime just in their orange jump suits,” said Lynn Kalloch, who coordinates the church’s outreach, “and many had burned their bridges. They have no place to go for help and they all want to work.”
“Recovery is a full-time job for people who want and need jobs,” Dyke said and Garcia agrees. “Getting to work, having a purpose, and establishing positive peer relationship is the key to their success.” Residents are required to work, attend school, or volunteer 20 hours a week. Garcia said that most of the men have worked for local Gorham businesses that he met with prior to Courage House’s opening. He wanted complete transparency and for them to have a full understanding of the program.
One Gorham employer, Chris Perrault of CP Property Services, responded, “I hired two men from Courage House as they deserved a chance and I am very fortunate to have found them. Both men are great workers and have worked out great for my company.”
But dealing with COVID has been a challenge. “Within a week of the state shutdown, some men lost their jobs,” Garcia said. “We had to adjust to online counseling, appointments and meetings. Getting laid off leads to additional stress and the risk of relapse is a huge concern.”
Garcia hopes he and his “guys” are doing a small part to end the stigma surrounding substance use disorder. “The program continues to give back to the community,” he said. “We once again will have our annual jack-o- lantern display and will be delivering Christmas gifts to another family struggling in the holidays. The local churches and food pantry have been an important part of our success. Anytime they need some guys to volunteer, we are happy to step up.”
For the second year First Parish volunteers will prepare Christmas breakfast for Courage House. They are busy now getting together things the five new residents need. “I have a personal connection to addiction,” said Kalloch,” so I am particularly grateful to be able to support these residents.” She continues, however, to be concerned “that there is community prejudice about substance abuse – concerns that Dyke hopes are being alleviated: “It has been quiet in our neighborhood with no problems,” she said.