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Program founders hope to help more men recover
Turning Point expands with new residential facility
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By mid-year, Gainesville could be the home of another recovery residence for men.

The home, which will be run by Turning Point Recovery Resources, was approved by the Gainesville City Council in August.

“Construction is beginning now and the expected completion date is four to six months from now,” said Chance Castleberry, Turning Point co-founder and residential program director.

In 2005, Castleberry and partner Rick Hamilton established the first Turning Point residential facility. That facility is located on Erskin Avenue in Gainesville and the new one will be on Auburn Avenue. The residential unit was created to act as transitional housing for men who are recovering from substance abuse issues and who need a structured living environment.

“We have been committed from the beginning to doing what is best for the person wanting to change their destructive behavior. There is a need to furnish upscale, clean facilities built specifically for this type of use,” said Hamilton, Turning Point co-founder and president. “We are the only company in Georgia building new facilities dedicated for use as group homes; so, we are expanding by getting clients from other places operating less- than-adequate homes. Also, the judicial system recognizes that for some nonviolent addicts, treatment works better than incarceration.”

In order to live in either location, residents must meet strict guidelines.

“We provide residential housing for males ages 18 and older with substance abuse issues. They must be drug and alcohol free, and each are required to get and maintain gainful employment,” Castleberry said.

“Our program length is nine to 12 months minimum. After successful program completion participants are allowed to live with us as long as they chose to do so.”

Residents must also pay for the services  they receive, be compliant with counseling orders and consent to weekly drug screenings.

Having clients that pay for their required services is one of the ways Turning Point has been able to expand in a slow economy.

“(We do not) depend on grants, government sources or donations. Our clients work and fund their own recovery. That way, they have a vested interest in ‘working’ the Turning Point program,” Hamilton said.

“I initially funded the program from my own private funds. We are now working with banks to continue to grow. Governments do not have monies available for programs, so it is really up to the private sector to make this happen.”

In addition to participating in counseling and working to pay their own way through the program, the setup of the residential units also helps prepare clients for their return to their own homes.

“The new facility will be a beautiful, four-story complex. It will have an elevator, and look like a very upscale townhome — each unit has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Our goal is to provide the best place most of our clients have ever lived,” Hamilton said.

“Each unit has a living environment similar to a small group or family helping each other. The environment is very similar to what they will face when they graduate from the program. It is really a chance (for them) to learn how to live a normal life, drug and alcohol free.”