Substance abuse recovery home to debut
Hoop’s House of Sierra Vista will now be offering their first long-term recovery home in Yuma for men with substance abuse issues.
The grand opening will be held on Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at 3504 W. 15th Pl. Information and food will be offered at the event for those who wish to learn more about the recovery home. The event is free and open to the public.
Yuma’s Hoop’s House recovery home will be named “Aaron’s House.” The house is the culmination of efforts made by local real estate agent Carol Engler and substance abuse therapist/ executive director of Hoop’s House of Sierra Vista Jon Hooper as well as others.
Hoop’s House will provide support for an average of seven to nine months.
The homes were inspired by a recovery house in upstate New York for men who were being released from prison and who had a substance abuse diagnosis. These homes support the men with outpatient services, 12-step meetings and aid with employment and more.
Aaron’s House is named after Engler’s son who struggled with substance abuse. He lost his life at the age of 25 when he crashed into a light post near the intersection of 14th Street and Avenue A while under the influence of drugs.
Prior to his death, Engler said that Aaron struggled with substance abuse. She said he was enrolled at Arizona Western College and working toward his associate degree. Before the crash, Engler said that Aaron spent 30 days at a local rehabilitation center before being released.
She feels that if Aaron would have had access to more long-term care and structure, he would have had a better chance at coping with his substance abuse issues.
“I have no doubt Aaron would still be alive today if this option was available to him five years ago,” Engler said. “All we can do now is help make sure other people learn from Aaron’s fatal mistake.”
Before being admitted to the house, Hooper said men must apply, interview and meet certain criteria. Some of the criteria includes having a diagnosis of substance abuse, and the men must not have certain histories such as a “sexual (assault) history, arson history or a psychotic violent history,” he said.
Aaron’s House currently has nine beds. In total, Hooper said the Yuma community raised $2,000 to help get the house up and running. It will be in operation the very next day on April 1, he noted.
“We would love for the community as well as agencies to come, check out the house and see what we are about for the grand opening,” Hooper said. “We are going to have a lot of information and we will give tours. I’d like for everyone to keep an open mind. It’s important that they are aware of the problem we have in Arizona with addiction and that we are going to help be part of the solution instead of part of the problem.”
For questions or for more information on Aaron’s House Grand Opening, call Engler at (928) 446-3019.
More information on Hoop’s House can be found at www.hoopshouse.org.