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Reflection House requests $250,000 ARC grant for recovery-to-work workforce program
Summary
Reflection House asked the Garrett County commissioners for $250,000 in ARC funds to support Pathways to Purpose, a workforce-development program for women in recovery; presenter Jamie Bell outlined program staffing and operating needs and provided performance measures and outcomes from the first year of operations.
Reflection House requested $250,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission to support Pathways to Purpose, a workforce-development and reentry program tied to recovery housing.
Jamie Bell, executive director of Reflection House, said the nonprofit operates recovery-specific housing for women and asked the commissioners for ARC operating support to hire and retain program staff, train peer-support workers and implement workforce-placement programming.
Bell presented a full project cost breakdown and said payroll is the largest line item at $400,000, with additional administrative and program costs bringing total program costs to just under $500,000; the ARC request is $250,000. She described line items including $43,000 for administrative and supplies, $27,000 for utilities, $9,000 for taxes and insurance and $15,000 for transportation.
Bell described outcomes from the organization’s first year since opening in October: Reflection House has served 24 individuals (annual goal 30); six residents gained employment in local hospitality businesses; two residents resumed higher education (addiction counseling and cybersecurity); three residents pursued workforce training through the Western Maryland Consortium; three residents and five staff pursued peer-recovery certification (one peer had recently achieved certification); three residents accessed higher levels of clinical care (Shepherd Pratt, Bridal Center, Changing Terns); and three residents obtained stable housing. Bell said some residents originated from Allegheny County and Martinsburg, West Virginia.
Why it matters: presenters framed the project as building recovery capital and connecting recovery housing to employment and training, aligning with ARC workforce and recovery-ecosystem objectives.
Discussion and next steps: commissioners heard the presentation and were told the county must rank ARC project proposals for regional submission by May 16. No county-level funding decision was made at the meeting.
Public events and outreach: Bell invited commissioners and the public to Reflection House fundraising and outreach events, including a golf fundraiser on June 9 and a Walk for Recovery on Sept. 13.
