Our sober living homes offer a recovery community support framework. In addition to a live-in House Manager and trained Operator, all sober houses offer a Recovery Community Mentor. This role functions similar to a case manager in a clinical setting. They are available to support every resident’s recovery on an as-needed basis and meet them where they are in their journey.
Mission
Our mission is to build sober home communities where our residents are supported in their recovery journeys.
Vision
We see a world where every person in recovery has access to a supportive, healthy, and safe home environment built on respect, focused on recovery, and lead by peers.
Values
Recovery-Focused: Recovery is the cornerstone of Vanderburgh House. Our policies, leadership, and culture are all build to support our residents in their personal and individual recovery journey.
Community: Each Vanderburgh House sober house is a recovery community led by peers in service of residents in recovery from substance abuse.
Accessible: Our homes are accessible to every member of the global recovery community with a straightforward application process, transparent approval criteria, and at an affordable cost to our residents.
Independent: Each of us is responsible for our personal and individual recovery journey. We do not direct action; we coach, support, and mentor our brothers and sisters in recovery.
Sustainable: We believe in being good stewards of the earth and use resources with respect, conservation and respect.
Our Model
We offer structured sober houses for men and women where every resident is supported in their recovery journeys. Residents live together as a family to develop the tools and strengthen their character in order to live free from substance abuse. Our homes allow for independence while guided by a set of recovery-focused house rules, standards, and expectations. The core of our structure is abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Residents are engaged in their personal recovery journey by attending meetings and working with a sponsor and our House Manager for support and encouragement. Residents adhere to a curfew, submit to drug and alcohol screenings, and participate in home and community events.
- Residents live independently in a gender-specific home
- Rooms are typically shared with one or more peers
- Residents pay rent weekly or monthly; we don’t accept health insurance
- Each home is lead by a House Manager
- Our homes are convenient, comfortable, affordable, and supportive
- Residents live according to our Resident Handbook and House Rules
Community Mentorship
Clinical Foundation
Our homes are informed by clinical research and best practices. Vanderburgh House employs clinical staff who are available to House Managers and Recovery Community Mentors in order to assist in building strong communities in support of each resident, with Relapse Response and Recovery Maintenance Plans and other valuable resources for our residents.
Transitional Support
A sober house is the step between clinical treatment and independent living. We support our residents when they are ready to transition from a sober house to independent living. Our transitional support program provides resources and support in transitioning to independent living. As a part of this program, we will reimburse residents up to $1,000 of their rents paid towards their new home.
House Manager Highlight
Chuck has devoted his life to managing our Elm Home. A full-time manager for a large Worcester manufacturing company, he devotes his home life to those in recovery as one of our House Managers. Chuck, like all of our House Managers, moved in as a resident. He completed House Manager Training and began his role in 2019. He leads a fantastic group of men in their recovery journey, offering support and encouragement to each resident.
House Managers are crucial to the success of any sober house. We understand the challenges that a House Manager faces every day, and we have many programs in place to support and encourage them - not only as a manager, but as a man or woman in recovery themself. We have a comprehensive training program to equip them in handling resident concerns, house emergencies, and in their leadership of the recovery environment in the home.
Sober House Certification
Sober house certification is often misunderstood by residents and professionals alike. Certification of a recovery home is voluntary; most certifying organizations are affiliated with NARR, the National Alliance for Recovery Residences. In Massachusetts, this organization is the Massachusetts Alliance for Sober Housing.
Vanderburgh House is committed to following best practice standards for our sober houses. Some of our homes are certified sober homes, and all of them follow the policies and procedures recommended by NARR and their member organizations. Vanderburgh House is also a Certified B Corporation.
Vanderburgh House History
