Marilyn Davis wants you to see what you’ve helped to create.
Davis, who founded the North House residential recovery home for women on North Avenue more than 20 years ago, had tears in her eyes Wednesday when she thanked each segment of the community that has made the home possible.
"These kinds of relationships strengthen our entire recovery community, and when that is strong, our entire community is strong," she said to a group of more than 50 community members, house residents and house graduates at Ivey Terrace Park.
Davis held a ceremony to celebrate 20 years in the area and to dedicate the gardens that local Master Gardeners recently crafted at the home.
"We got more from working at the house than we put in," said Delores Smith, Master Gardener and chairman of the project. "All the plants were donated, and we were told it would have cost about $8,000."
Davis invited everyone at the ceremony to visit the garden after explaining how the Hall County drug court system, nursing students at Brenau University, local churches and community members have helped to make the nine-month program possible.
"You all have said incredibly kind things to me, but this represents the first time in 20 years that all the various parts that make up North House are here together," she said. "Miracles really do happen, and if we have a need, someone in this community will do something about it."
Davis recounted how she was inspired to start the house in 1990 after successfully staying sober for 10 months. It became a not-for-profit organization in 1994 and was named a model facility by the Metro Atlanta Council on Alcohol and Drugs in 1996. The house was used as one of five women’s facilities in a report about women’s treatment to the U.S. Congress in 1999 and began a partnership with Brenau University in 2003 allowing nursing students to practice there.
"I learned such compassion, confidentiality and caring can happen 24/7," said Sandra Greniewicki, a professor of nursing at Brenau. "The students soon learn there is much to be learned."
Scott Riley, who supervises McDonald’s restaurants in Hall County, talked about how the residents are hard workers, and Superior Court Judge Jason Deal explained the importance of rehabilitation.
"Punishment is easy, but rehabilitation is much harder because it takes faith, hope, resources and risks," Deal said. "North House is a bastion of hope for us on the bench because we feel secure that if we take a risk and send someone there, they will do better. Let me tell you, I believe in miracles because of what I see in the drug court every Friday."
Nikki Boyle, a graduate of the home four years ago, read a poem after explaining how the program put her life back together.
"I found the tools to stay sober and change my behavior," she said. "I start at Brenau in August, have a job and plenty of friends and finally can be me."