Vanderburgh Sober Living
Charter Membership

Charter Membership

Join the VSL Community

Build better recovery housing with
training, systems, and resources

Ready to grow your impact? Access expert guidance, proven systems, and the full support network you need to operate with confidence.

Join the VSL Network

What VSL Makes Possible

We provide our members with a blueprint for establishing and managing effective recovery homes. By joining our community, Chartered Operators gain access to expert training, real estate opportunities for growth, a network of professionals, specialized management software, and dedicated ongoing support—all essential tools to help recovery housing thrive and grow.

Kitchen of Vanderburgh Sober Living Sober House Lowell, Massachusetts for Recovery From Addiction

VSL Membership costs are partially subsidized by private donations and grants to the Vanderburgh Foundation. This allows our members to focus on their mission while we provide resources and support to ensure their success.

Membership Benefits

A blueprint for success and growth

A community of world-changers

Comprehensive training and support

We’ll guide you through each step of establishing and managing a recovery home, reducing trial and error and ensuring long-term stability and growth.

Don’t make the same mistakes we
have learned from over a decade.

Join a supportive community of mission-focused operators and field professionals who provide collective wisdom and collaboration.

Be in business for yourself,
but not by yourself.

Receive expert training on operations, administration, community outreach, and more. Our mentorship programs ensure you’re never on your own.

All the support you need
is just a phone call away.

Discover the three pillars that make the VSL Membership experience unique.

The Recovery Home Blueprint™ is your step-by-step guide to establishing and managing a successful recovery home.

  • Step-by-Step Guidance: A clear, structured handbook and coaching to walk you through the process of opening and leading your recovery home.
  • Tools & Resources: Access to a suite of tools designed to streamline operations, from guest file management system to accounting.
  • Forms & Templates: Access an extensive library of templates, from intake forms to operational checklists, ensuring you are efficient and effective.
  • Centralized Call Center: Our call center answers general questions and directs referrals to our members, allowing you to focus on running your home.
  • Certification Support: Stay up to date with NARR 3.0 standards and other certification requirements in VSL’s comprehensive Knowledge Base.
  • Operational Efficiency: Our system is designed to optimize your day-to-day operations, helping you save time and resources.
  • Continuous Improvement: We work closely with our members to improve the way recovery housing is led across our community.

By joining the VSL™ Community, you become part of a mission-driven network of peers and professionals dedicated to recovery housing. Together, we strive for excellence, helping each other grow and succeed in providing exceptional recovery housing.

  • A Powerful Network: Connect with a diverse community of recovery housing operators, field experts, and support professionals.
  • National Recognition: As part of the VSL Community™, you gain credibility through your affiliation with our nationally-recognized organization.
  • Professional Development: Access opportunities for personal growth through training programs, webinars, and expert-led workshops.
  • Collaboration: Work through your challenges with like-minded operators who are eager to offer guidance and support as you grow.
  • Marketing and Visibility: Benefit from VSL’s marketing platform, including personalized home pages, featured directory listings, and professional social media presence.

VSL’s Comprehensive Support Platform ensures that you have the ongoing assistance needed to thrive.

  • Community Developer: Each member is paired with a Community Developer, providing personalized guidance and strategic planning to help you grow your recovery home and improve your operations.
  • Access to Real Estate Opportunities: Gain access to real estate opportunities through our network of mission-driven property owners.
  • Growth Support: Expand your impact; we can guide you in making informed decisions and provide insights to increase your operational efficiency.
  • Risk Management: With years of field experience, our staff and community will help you identify and mitigate risks, ensuring a secure path for growth.
  • Third-Party Relationships: Benefit from discounted services and products, including drug screens and premium marketing resources.

Take the next step and join a community of mission-driven operators dedicated to building safe, compliant, and profitable recovery homes—with full training, tools, and ongoing support from VSL.

Start Your Application

Platform Services: Included in Charter Membership

Our Platform Services are included in Charter Membership and provide the tools, training, and systems needed to launch recovery housing efficiently and sustainably. From feasibility analysis to certification readiness, our team offers expert guidance every step of the way.

🚀 Initiate: For operators opening their first home
  • Entity & Strategy Setup – We help you form your LLC/nonprofit and map a step-by-step launch plan.
  • Feasibility & Location Guidance – Evaluate target areas, local demand, and financial viability before signing any lease.
  • Home Setup + Certification Support – Receive floor plans, NARR-3.0 compliant exit plans, and hands-on help through the certification process.
  • Outreach Launch Support – We share referral contacts and local networks to help get your first applications flowing.
  • Dedicated Launch Manager – One point of contact guiding you in your first 90 days.
🧭 Navigate: When you’re running 1–3 homes
  • House Mentor & Operational Coaching – Training and support for your leadership team.
  • Policies & Discharge Management – Proven templates and expert advice for guest transitions.
  • Guest Management + Payment Tools – A unified system for applications, screening, record-keeping, and rent.
  • Call Center Assistance – Our intake team handles applicant calls, routing, and referral follow-up.
  • Accounting + Bookkeeping – Cloud accounting tailored to recovery homes.
  • Code & Compliance Help – Guidance on local building, health, and fire safety standards.
🌱 Cultivate: For operators scaling to 2–5 homes
  • Growth Coaching & Strategy Sessions – Regular reviews with a Community Developer to refine your approach.
  • Real Estate Support – Help sourcing and evaluating new homes for expansion.
  • Staff Recruitment + Training – Tools to hire and train effectively across multiple sites.
  • Advanced Compliance & Risk Management – Proactive oversight as your portfolio grows.
  • Efficiency Tools – Enhanced systems that help reduce per-home overhead as you scale.
🌟 Elevate: For mature operators, 4+ homes, or who wish to mentor others
  • Data-Driven Optimization – Analytics support to boost profitability, occupancy, and outcomes.
  • Program Development & Innovation – Create custom guest programs or add services.
  • Mentorship & Leadership Roles – Mentor newer operators and expand your influence.
  • Autopilot Systems – Structure operations to be less hands-on, freeing time for new ventures.
  • Succession & Exit Planning – We help you prepare your operation for sale or transition.

The cost for Platform Services is included in Charter Membership.

How to Become a Chartered Operator

✏️ Contact Form

Complete a quick form to share your goals and background so we can tailor your consultation.

📞 Discovery Call

Meet with our team to explore your vision and learn how Membership can support you.

🚀 Launch Plan

Review costs and explore fundraising or grant options to help you get started.

📄 Membership Agreement

Complete the paperwork and begin your onboarding!

What Does It Cost to Become a Member?

Typically, membership costs include a one-time onboarding fee and an ongoing monthly contribution. During your Launch Plan discussion, we’ll review your unique situation and determine whether a Vanderburgh Foundation subsidy can be provided to help you get started.

Front image of Germain Street sober house for women

Membership Conditions

Chartered Operators commit to excellence. Membership requires a long-term commitment to excellence in the field of recovery housing. Our mission is to improve the quality and availability of recovery housing, and we expect all members to adhere to the highest standards in recovery housing.

A Commitment to Excellence

Becoming a Chartered Operator means making a long-term commitment to uphold the highest standards of recovery housing. This includes maintaining transparency, integrity, and operational excellence in everything you do.

Operational Standards

VSL Chartered Homes must provide a supportive and recovery-focused environment for all guests. These standards cover all aspects of operations, from House Mentor training, to application processing, to facility maintenance and compliance with certification standards.

Transparency and Integrity

We expect all members to adhere to best practices in transparency, both in their operations and in their interactions with guests and the community. Integrity is the foundation of effective recovery housing, and our standards ensure that you lead with this value at the core.

Take the Next Step!

At Vanderburgh Sober Living, we believe in the power of community and the impact that safe, supportive recovery housing can have on individuals’ lives. Becoming a Chartered Operator means you are creating a space where hope is restored and recovery is made possible.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, if you’re ready to lead with integrity and care, we invite you to take that next step. Join our community of dedicated operators, gain access to unparalleled resources, and start changing lives today.

Vanderburgh Sober Living Certified Kismet Men's Sober House South Portland, Maine for Men

📘 Free Download: The Path to Purposeful Recovery Housing

Get your free copy of Path to Purposeful Recovery Housing — a practical guide to building homes that change lives and last. Learn the systems and strategies that unite purpose, sustainability, and community impact.

Written by Dr. Hunter T. Foote, it distills years of hands-on experience from the Vanderburgh Sober Living network into actionable insights for recovery housing leaders and developers who want to align mission and profitability with impact.

Download the Free Guide »

Book cover of The Path to Purposeful Recovery Housing by Dr. Hunter T. Foote, showing a historic recovery home under a blue sky.