Open Door Recovery celebrates three years of helping women with addictions
CONNIE SWINNEY • PICAYUNE STAFF
MARBLE FALLS — Melody Ellis said she had to lose everything before she realized how much she had to offer herself and other women struggling with addiction.“I did not go to jail. I had a good job. I was a normal person, who had a degree, but I ended up at the same place as a person who came out of prison,” said Ellis, who is the resident assistant at Open Door Recovery House in Marble Falls.
Four years ago, Ellis not only lost her job as a home-health nurse, she abandoned friends, family and her faith all because of prescription-opiate drug abuse.
Ellis, who is 56, attempted various recovery programs from Burnet to Kerrville and relapsed several times.
In January 2011, she found Open Door Recovery, a faith-based half-way house for recovering female addicts. She successfully completed the program and has worked as a resident assistant since this January.
“I know what God can do. I’m not afraid to share my story. Knowing these women, so many of them have some harsh backgrounds. I’ve seen them wanting to be a part of the world again,” she said. “I can talk to these women about it, and we pray about it.”
Open Door Recovery recently celebrated its three-year anniversary. Renovations are under way at new location for the program that is expected to be open by the summer.
“This is going to give us the ability to be more independent, more self-supporting,” program founder Paula Mays said.
“We’re growing, developing. We know this program works. It’s helped so many rebuild their lives,” said Mays, who is a recovering addict as well. “They need the unconditional love and the tools of a 12-step (drug- and alcohol-abuse recovery) program.”
The nonprofit organization, which relies on funding from area churches and private donations, houses up to six women as they go through the program.
“Trinity Episcopal Church feels very humble to help an organization which is seeking to help people turn their lives around,” said Madeleine Manigold, chairperson of the church’s Ministry and Outreach Commission. The church foundation offered $3,200 toward the renovation and move from a rental location to a home purchased with donor help.
“The program restores family bonds, and these women become active participants in our community when they rebuild their lives,” Manigold said. “Christ calls us to help people in need. We are called to serve them, and, in so doing, we serve Christ.”
Mays said church and community support has nurtured an effective program.
Open Door Recovery has helped more than 70 women since it started three years ago.
Program achievements include graduating women from the Christian Woman Job Corps training program in Burnet; offering GED course assistance; expanding the number of volunteer licensed chemical dependency counselors; and adding the new residents assistant position held by Ellis, who is also one of the program’s success stories.
“I always knew Open Door Recovery was going to be where I was going,” Ellis said. “I felt what God was doing. I know how I slipped. Being open and honest and saying this is what happened and this is who I am now, I can share that and hold other people accountable.”
To donate to the program, contact Mays at (830) 693-9292, (512) 466-3220 or myopendr@gmail.com.
connie@thepicayune.com