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New women’s recovery home introduced to Lee County supervisors; operators seek partnerships
Summary
Higher Ground Women’s Recovery told supervisors it has purchased a house in Pennington Gap to provide sober-living for women in recovery, plans on-site supports and community partnerships, and hopes to begin taking residents this winter.
Julie McGovern Barber introduced a Higher Ground Women’s Recovery house purchased in Pennington Gap and described a planned sober-living program intended to help women transition from treatment or incarceration into stable housing and work or education programs.
"We have re really been touched by the community," McGovern Barber said, describing donations and local partnerships. She said the house will be a sober living environment with an initial plan to start small (three to five residents), eventually serving up to eight to 10 residents under VAR certification, and that staff will include an on-site employee during daytime hours with trained residents assisting after hours.
Heather Krause, who identified herself as a resident and representing Frontier Health, said the organization will provide case management, therapy and other services, including telehealth where appropriate, to help residents secure employment, housing and transportation. The operators said they have partnered with Mountain Empire for GED and degree opportunities and with the Family Crisis Center for additional supports.
The group said they hope to open by December and noted they will be hiring a director (Liz Brooks, expected start Dec. 16). They asked the board to consider future funding possibilities and said they will continue to coordinate with towns and community partners.
Next steps: Operators will continue outreach and coordination with county services; the board encouraged the group to pursue available grants and local supports.
