Recovery Resource Center open to community

By Libby James
Correspondent

Until two years ago, recovering addicts had few resources for support and socialization in the Fort Collins area.

Fort Collins is not unusual, however. According to 2001 statistics from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, Colorado claims 48th place among all states in spending on substance abuse, a situation that results in minimal funding for services following drug or alcohol rehabilitation.

Recognizing a need locally, a small group of concerned individuals established Fellowship House to provide a confidential meeting place, emotional support, clean and sober social events and leadership development for recovering addicts in the community.

Founder and board secretary Lilias Jarding explained that ongoing support is essential to the success of rehabilitation efforts. She also noted the skeletal nature of mental health programs and the high suicide rate in Colorado. There are a large number of young people in need of treatment who are not receiving it, she said, even though research has shown that treatment makes economic sense--it more than pays for itself.

In June, Fellowship House added 400 square feet to its meeting space and established a Recovery Resource Center, open to the community. From 100 items, the center's resources have grown to 1,000 tapes, CDs, DVDs and books available to check out or use on the center's television and tape player.

Resources cover all kinds of addictions, from gambling to overeating, and offer different approaches. Some are available in Spanish. Twelve Step books are also available for sale. More than 60 different brochures describing community resources, from day care and financial assistance to HIV information and men's services, are free. Treatment professionals, as well as recovering addicts, use this resource, the only one of its kind in the county.

Two small rooms adjacent to the center allow for one-on-one or small group meetings and a place (complete with toys) for children to play while their parents are in meetings or using the resources.

Fellowship House currently hosts 15 meetings each week, and 700 people make use of the center each month. With the exception of one Narcotics Anonymous meeting, all meetings are open. A young people's Alcoholics Anonymous group, several Narcotics Anonymous groups and Nar-Anon groups for families of addicts use Fellowship House regularly.

Upcoming events include a workshop on AIDS and hepatitis and free testing sponsored by the Northern Colorado AIDS Project, in addition to an acupuncture session for people in recovery.

The meeting room, which holds up to 40, is bright, cheery and welcoming. There's a microwave and coffeemaker. Smoking isn't allowed in the building, but isn't frowned upon.

"This is an accepting place," Jarding said. "Here you get loved until you are able to love yourself."

She has seen people change over time as they come to Fellowship House. "They start to look better, put on some weight, find jobs and assume responsibility for their families," she said.

Anyone can use the services of Fellowship House, and any self-help or support group is welcome to use the meeting space. Some come to the center on their own, while others are referred from agencies such as Community Corrections, Mountain Crest, Harmony Foundation, Colorado State University Treatment Center, Island Grove Treatment Center and Turning Point. Most visitors are under 40 and have limited financial resources, although the Center also serves teenagers, older people and some who have considerable financial resources.

Fellowship House places high value on its independence from any other organization and its commitment to confidentiality. No one is asked to give a name or any other information.

Funding comes from foundations, businesses and government grants, specifically the Hope Fund and Colorado Compassion Initiative. Fund-raising events, individual donations, space rental and $20-a-month membership fees also contribute.

A pancake breakfast between noon and 2 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at the Fellowship House, 1630 S. College Ave., Unit C-1 (upstairs), provides social interaction and also serves as a fund-raiser. Cost is $3 a plate or $5 for all you can eat. The public is welcome.

Board vice president Sabine Davis and Jarding are hopeful that the day will come when they are able to hire a part-time employee and increase the number of hours Fellowship House is open each week. For now, hours vary and are posted on the south door of the Resource Center. The center is usually open in the evenings when meetings are held and volunteers are available.

Two volunteers in addition to the five-person board are currently keeping the agency going. Young people from Turning Point clean the space twice a week. Anyone interested in helping out or becoming a board member may call board president Karen Campbell at 282-0235 or board treasurer Larry Jarding at 493-1877.