New substance abuse recovery home expected to open this summer

Volunteers of America Ohio and Indiana broke ground Monday on their latest recovery home construction project in Indianapolis.

The Legacy Recovery House is VOA’s first housing designed to keep mothers and children together while residents work to recover from substance abuse disorders and establish independence.

Jennifer Martinez is the Senior Vice President of Clinical Services with Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana. She says the campus-style of housing is ideal for offering women the services they need to help them get back on their feet, including childcare.

“This is the first time we’re going to have all these services on one campus together, which is really exciting and gives us a lot of opportunities to develop a sense of community and really support the women that are coming through our program,” Martinez said.

The new Legacy Recovery House will take over the building of the former Craine House. Craine House previously helped women who were non-violent offenders remain with their children as they transitioned to life after incarceration.

VOA plans the building will hold 40 beds for their Fresh Start program. Fresh Start Recovery serves pregnant women and mothers struggling with addiction. In addition, 19 more beds will be added for the new Legacy House, a residence for women who have completed the VOA Fresh Start Recovery Program.

Construction for Legacy house is expected to conclude at the end of July. VOA plans to let residents move-in in August.

VOA operates similar recovery homes in Plainfield and Columbus, Indiana.

Contact WFYI Morning Edition newscaster and reporter Barbara Anguiano at banguiano@wfyi.org