Fellowship Living Facilities Review
After Rick Riccardi caused a serious auto accident in 2004, he found himself incarcerated. Riccardi has been clean and sober since 1994, but it was the accident that turned his life around and made him realize his true calling. While he was serving his sentence, Riccardi realized that there was a huge demand for sober livings for clients just released rehabs, jails and detox facilities. He opened Fellowship Living Facilities in 2005 in Margate, Florida, which is between Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton. His wife, Susan Riccardi, is the director of the women’s program and has been clean and sober since 2002.
Accommodations and Amenities
Fellowship Living Facilities men’s facility is comprised of rectangular bungalows, which each include several apartments. The men’s residence has 34 units and accommodates 68 men. The property overlooks a lake, which is surrounded by trees and the men have access to a pool. The women’s program is housed in a group of orange stucco bungalows with nine units and accommodates 18 women. The residence includes a meditation garden and barbeque area.
All clients are paired in furnished, double-occupancy rooms. Each unit includes a sparkling, fully equipped kitchen where clients store groceries, which they are responsible for purchasing on their own. Clients take care of their own meal preparation. Amenities include cable, laundry facilities, Wi-Fi and local and long distance phone service. House managers live on the premises in both locations. Smoking is permitted outside, in designated areas only.
Rules and Regulations
While requirements are simple, Fellowship Living Facilities takes them seriously. They are not adverse to clients checking out SMART Recovery and faith-based protocols like Celebrate Recovery, Fellowship Living Facilities is decidedly 12-step oriented. Newly arrived clients are required to complete 90 12-step meetings in 90 days. Within two weeks, they must find a sponsor and get an AA/CA/NA home group. Attendance is mandatory at the on-site 12-step meetings, as well as the house meetings. Individuals must meet on a regular basis with their sponsor, and journal every day. After the first 90 days, clients have to attend a minimum of four 12-step meetings per week.
Besides the rules, Fellowship Living Facilities takes recovery seriously. Only sober visitors are welcomed on the premises, and they must leave at curfew. The curfew is 11 pm Sundays through Thursdays and one am on Fridays and Saturdays. Clients must secure a job within the first two weeks, so that they can take care of their rent, plus become self-sufficient. Performance of household chores is required. Additionally, clients are expected to contribute up to one hour, on a weekly basis, to maintain the property and the grounds. On a weekly basis, staff provides clients with progress reviews. These are confidential, and designed to both inspire as well as provide constructive feedback. Additionally, random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted and a zero tolerance policy is enforced. Residents who relapse are evicted from the premises immediately.
Extras
Fellowship Living is a member of the Florida Association of Recovery Residences (FARR), which demands high standards from its affiliates.
In Summary
According to a former Fellowship client, who now runs a prosperous South Florida glazing company, Fellowship Living is one of the finest. The Riccardis care about their clients, and that feeling is infectious. Men and women who enter Fellowship Living learn to value their recovery, each other and about rebuilding their lives. And the fact that the houses are in close proximity to the beach is an added bonus.
Fellowship Living Facilities Location
Fellowship Living Facilities
451 Banks Rd #8
Margate, FL 33063
Fellowship Living Facilities Cost
$720 (30 days, not including $35 administrative fees). Reach Fellowship Living Facilities by phone at (954) 972-9495 or by email. Find Fellowship Living Facilities on Facebook and LinkedIn
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