The Clubhouse of Van Wert held an Open House on Thursday, February 15, 2024 at their Main Street location in Van Wert, Ohio and invited everyone in the community to come in and celebrate their grand opening! They introduced approximately 25 people at this event!
Kimberley Cox, Recovery Navigator, and Kara Griffiths, Case Manager, talked with the West Bend News about the purpose of the Clubhouse. The eye-opening interaction realized the importance of helping people who struggle with abuse disorders, addictions, sobriety, and other social issues that have increased in recent years.
Drug and alcohol dependencies are not the only assistance that the clubhouse focuses on; it is also a sober social community that can work with people in the vicinity that are struggling and can help them connect to the resources that each individual needs to overcome their dependencies.
Kimberley stated that her own chemical abuse past struggles occurred even after attaining a successful career, and to recognize the issue was a step in right direction to recovery. Society will think that abuse problems mainly start with young people, but that is not always true. She said it can happen to anyone and age is not a factor.
When people come into the Clubhouse, it is because they are looking for help. Sometimes they will have been referred by a family member and the person is not ready to admit they have a problem. Uncomfortable conversations must become comfortable in order to get to the next step in the recovery process. Kimberley stated, “There is hope. No one is ever too far gone.”
The sayings are true such as “birds of a feather flock together”, and “if you sleep with the dogs, you’ll wake up with fleas.” All of these things point to peer pressure among a person’s friends. Companions must be chosen carefully because of the influence they can have in your life.
Kara Griffiths came from Decatur, IN and started working at Ridgeview Mental Health and Recovery before being hired by Foundations Behavioral Health Services. Kimberley Cox came to work at the Clubhouse through a grant by the Tri-County DAMHS board. The Clubhouse has mostly men come in, but they want everyone to know that women are also welcome. There is a stigma in a community like this concerning addictions, but Foundations and the Clubhouse are here to help.
Whether it is needing a driver’s license, birth certificate, GED, or even help with finding a place to repair your vehicle, the network connections that the Clubhouse offers is incredible for connecting people with the proper resources. Right now they work with groups such as Love Inc. (14 churches), the homeless shelter, Angel Intervention, Ohio Means Jobs, and others.
Cox wants to remind everybody how much choices matter in their lives.
If you would like to help or if you know somebody that does need help. You can direct them to the Clubhouse in Van Wert Ohio by calling 419-910-5141 or Emergency: 800-567-HOPE. You can also visit www.foundationsbhs.org or www.facebook.com/foundationsbhs
