What is Serenity Grove?
Located just outside the city of Athens, Serenity Grove is an Ohio Recovery Housing certified Level 2 transitional recovery house for women struggling with substance use disorders. Women come to Serenity Grove to learn to live independently, to heal, and to gain back their lives. Built on seven wooded acres in the Ohio countryside, Serenity Grove is open to women who have completed an inpatient treatment program and/or who have at least 30 days clean.
According to our philosophy, substance use disorder is a physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual disorder. We believe recovery from addiction is an individually designed lifelong process best addressed holistically. We believe anyone who practices a recognized program of recovery with honesty, openness, and willingness can get and remain clean and sober.
The Board of Directors
From Left to Right:
Kathy Davis, Sooz Palsa - Vice President, Sheila Williams - President, Janalee Stock, Eileen Lynch - Treasurer, and Melissa Egan - Secretary
History
In May of 2016, a meeting was convened by the 317 Board in Athens County to address the need for recovery housing for women with substance abuse issues in Athens County. Resoundingly concluded by all agencies present: the need was critical. The foster care system was overloaded, the number of babies born with neonatal abstinence syndrome was triple the state average, and too many young women were dying in our region. A call to action ensued. The founders’ groups, comprised of local woman with considerable experience in the recovery community, were personally and deeply familiar with the individual stories behind the grim statistics.
Women for Recovery became a 501c3 nonprofit organization in March 2017 and closed in July on their primary location: Serenity Grove. Located just outside the city of Athens and nestled among stately oak, hickory and chestnut trees, the house accommodates eight in a safe, secure, and sober environment. At Serenity Grove, women dedicated to the eventual goal of transitioning back into independent living hone the skills necessary to live free of drugs and alcohol.
Staff
Katie Remley, COMCorps member 2023-2024
Betsy Anderson, Executive Director
Wendy Ledsome, Peer Recovery Support Specialist