Last week, a new residential house of the Order’s work with ex-offenders and addicts opened in London. Helping an additional 18 men per year turn their lives around, this significant expansion was triggered by the energies and generosity of an Envoy of the Fund.
The new house will be the fourth to deliver the free, holistic, abstinence- based programme which allows residents, many of whom are ex-offenders, to address the root causes of their addictions within a supportive environment.
Opened officially by Monsignor Roger Reader, in the presence of the Archbishop of Southwark and the President of the British Association, Richard Fitzalan Howard, staff and residents thanked the Order’s donors and volunteers for taking Nehemiah’s work to the next level. Many previous residents, who have completed the programme and now live lives free from addiction joined the celebrations and spoke about their experiences. Matthew* joined the programme at a time when he was desperate and his addictions had driven a wedge between him and his family. With the programme’s support he is now addiction-free and has been reunited with his three sons and eight grandchildren. He said
“My road to recovery has not been a straight line. There have been ups and downs. This project has been a foundation to continue my recovery; I’m forever blessed for that. I am forever grateful to the staff, donors and volunteers, who have made me feel a part of their family”.
Monsignor Roger Reader, an integral part of the project for many years, as the former National Catholic Chaplain for Prisons, blessed the house and its future residents.
“My prayer is that every single person who crosses the threshold of this house will feel that this is the home they need, where they will be respected and find the support they need to grow.”
The Fund continues to support this work of the Order in London and wishes residents of the new house the best of luck on their roads to freedom and recovery.
*Name changed for privacy