Hope House of Battle Creek begins moving in residents
BATTLE CREEK, Mich. — Hope House, a home for homeless men recovering from substance abuse addiction, started moving residents in this month.
Victory Life Church and Hood Church in Battle Creek have partnered to purchase and operate the house, which they say will create a bridge between a sobriety program and independent living.
- Hope House beginnings: Battle Creek churches team up for 'Hope House' to help recovering addicts in the community
Hope House's very first resident, Jeff Skrycki, took News Channel 3 on a tour of the freshly remodeled home, showing off brand new furniture, appliances, and the first private bedroom Skrycki has had in years.
Hope House is meant to be a next step for graduates of the Haven of Battle Creek's life recovery program, which aims to help homeless men overcome addiction and get their lives back on track.
After moving into the Hope House, residents will have assistance finding a job, learning how to maintain a budget, and will develop life skills to keep them from falling back into addiction and homelessness.
While living in the house, food and utilities will be covered for up to six residents paying rent based on their wages.
Skrycki says he is looking forward to getting new roommates over the next few weeks, saying graduates learn to lean on each other to battle their addictions.
"“Emotional support, physical support, growing spiritually, uh just having accountability with people," Skrycki said. "You know people call you on your own stuff."
Once a resident is prepared to move out on their own, a new graduate will be selected and voted on by the current Hope House residents to take the open room.
Even after moving out, former residents are encouraged to keep in keep in touch with the programs offered by Battle Creeks' life recovery program.
