Walk around the new home for House of Recovery Faith and Hope, and you’ll see why the words “faith” and “hope” are part of the title.

“Everything is positive and uplifting,” said Angela Allen, executive director. “You see faith and hope throughout the house.”

From the inspirational decorations to the “wall of faith,” the new House of Recovery is decorated to be a cozy refuge for people recovering from substance abuse.

Allen started this faith-based ministry at the beginning of the year. She originally opened a transitional residence on West Lebanon Street for women learning to lead self-sufficient and alcohol- and drug-free lives. A few months later, the program expanded to house men in a building next door.

Now the program has relocated to a house on Galax Trail, a place that Allen said has a more private and residential atmosphere.

The group moved to the new location at the beginning of the month. The upstairs houses five women and a baby, and the downstairs houses two men. Allen’s husband, Tre Allen, is the director of the men’s center downstairs. The male and female sections of the house are kept separate and locked, and they do not allow fraternizing.

“With this type of environment, you’ve got to have rules,” Angela Allen stated.

The new location used to be a group home. She said they moved there because it had already been a state facility and met certain code requirements. The ministry is currently in the process of trying to become a licensed facility, which Allen hopes will happen within a few months. She is also working to complete its 501(c)3 status.

The house is close to capacity now, but Angela has dreams of expanding soon. She said, “We’re looking to expand, because there’s a great need for this.”

She envisions a 50- to 75-acre property with facilities able to house 60 people for the two-year program. But for now the group is making do with the house on Galax Trail. In addition to bedrooms and bathrooms, the house has a classroom with computer space, small office, family room, kitchen, and covered porch.

At the house people can live in a safe environment where they learn employment and independent living skills, receive spiritual and drug counseling, and learn to set and accomplish goals, according to the officials working there.

Bet G. (her full name is not being used to protect her identity) came from a country club setting. But although she had money and a “good life,” Bet struggled with drug addiction and thoughts of suicide. After going through detoxification, she came to live at the home.

“It’s been wonderful for me,” Bet said. “I’ve come a long way.

She’s been with the organization since it opened, and Bet only has good things to say about director Angela.

“She don’t doubt us. She just uplifts us. ‘Can’t’ is not in our vocabulary,” Bet noted.

The group is excited about the upcoming “Healing in the Park” event scheduled for Nov. 7 from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Westwood Park in Mount Airy. This celebration of recovery will minister to those recovering from addictions. Attendees will share a meal, fellowship, and testimonies. Worship music will also be a part of the event.

“We’re giving addicts and recovering addicts the chance to join together with us to hear how God has worked together in their lives,” Allen said. She hopes “Healing in the Park” will become a monthly event.

Mary Fielder is a volunteer for the group and she said, “It’s very much about outreach, even though the folks here have things they’re trying to overcome.”

The people in the program go out each week to feed the homeless. Allen said, “What we do have, we give out.”

In addition to outreach efforts, the organization holds fundraisers to help keep the program going. Angela and Tre are not paid for their work with the organization. Items are donated, and money is raised through fundraisers.

Allen said the ministry could always use cleaning supplies, food, paper products, and clothing. She said they desperately need two sets of bunk beds right now so they can expand the number of men they house.

“But it’s going great,” she said. “God is blessing this place.”

The participants in the program would like to thank the local churches who have supported them, as well as the businesses who have donated items. Some of those businesses donating items are Headhunters Beauty Salon, Donna’s Barber Shop, Kay Kreed Beauty Shop, Foothills Furniture, Beary Gifts, Beaver Creek Golf Course, Curves, Pro Health Fitness, Belk, Chili’s, East Coast Wings, Pampered Spa, Hardy’s Custom Golf, Brannock’s Exxon, Gypsy Moon, Suntan Unlimited, Shear Beauty, Poppy’s, Kids Love, John Deer, Mayberry Embroidery, Talleys Frame, Scarlet Begonias, Mikes Produce, and Brannock and Haitt.

Contact Meghann Evans at mevans@mtairynews.com or 719-1952.