West Virginia Press Association
JEFFERSON, W.Va. — The Smiley Hotel, a historic landmark with immense potential, is now a cornerstone of hope and recovery in our area. Given West Virginia’s high rankings in addiction (4th) and mental health issues (10th), this multifaceted center will play a crucial role in providing much-needed support and resources to combat these challenges.
Our mission is simple: to offer a safe haven where individuals battling addiction and resulted mental issues can find the support needed to reclaim their lives.
1. SafeHaven Sober Living Homes: Provide a secure and supportive environment for residents to succeed with the challenges of recovery, including comprehensive support to combat addiction.
2. SafeHarbor Community Apartments and Transitional Housing: Support recovery graduates by offering housing and helping ease their way back into society.
3. Training and Skills Development: Through a series of lectures, formal trainings, on-site jobs as RAs, office managers, etc., residents are empowered to overcome addiction and lead fulfilling lives within the community.
SafeHarbor Foundation partners with various organizations to offer extensive support, including therapy, medical assistance, and ongoing aid beyond initial recovery. Key partners include:
• Devraj Behavioral Psychology, Charleston, WV: Provides counseling and therapy to combat addiction, depression, anxiety, etc.
• Lauren’s Wish, Morgantown, WV: A non-profit organization and a triage center that helps individuals fight addiction.
• Community Bridge, Saint Albans, WV: A non-profit organization that helps community members in need with food, household items, furniture, etc.
Terrie, a 45-year-old graduate of the SafeHaven Sober program, is now the Assistant Director at SafeHarbor Foundation. She expressed gratitude for the supportive sober homes’ community that aided her recovery journey while pursuing a college degree. Terrie shared, “The valuable training I received here as Resident Assistant, office clerk, and event organizer equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and personal insights needed to support and help others facing similar struggles and challenges.”
Jennifer Lake, the Executive Administrative Assistant of SafeHarbor Foundation, emphasized their commitment to empowering residents like Terrie to succeed in their recovery efforts. “I am confident in the foundation’s ability to make a positive impact on residents’ lives, guiding them towards a path of stability and productivity within the community,” she stated.
Terrie’s story exemplifies SafeHarbor Foundation’s mission to foster personal growth and empower individuals to contribute meaningfully to society. This approach aims to address immediate needs and break the cycle of addiction and homelessness in West Virginia and beyond.
SafeHarbor Foundation is making a significant impact with 33 residents in recovery homes and 20 apartments in use at the SafeHarbor Apartment Community. The potential to host up to 400 individuals and families at the Ol’ Smiley Hotel is remarkable. West Virginians indeed deserve a good life, and efforts like these help ensure they don’t become mere statistics.
For more information, visit safeharborwv.org or call (304) 853-3869.