The Basics
Located in Bridgeport Connecticut, The Gorham Fellowship provides sober living, with the goal of helping newly clean and sober men practice independent living and make a smooth transition back into society. While The Gorham Fellowship ensures a safe setting, they refer to the residence as a “house of suggestion,” which is inspired from the adage which refers to the AA fellowship as a “program of suggestion.” This house operates on a loose structure, with a focus on supporting a client’s individual needs.
Accommodations and Amenities
The Gorham House is a quaint white-shingled Victorian with gingerbread trim. The house has a small front lawn. The house can accommodate up to seven clients. There is one triple-occupancy room including a bunk bed and twin bed, one double and two single rooms. Amenities include all utilities, flat screen high definition televisions, Cable, Wi-Fi and outdoor decks on the first and second floors. An on-site house manager lives on the premises, and provides 12-step guidance, and additional support.
The huge house includes two dining rooms, a living room, a conference room, a security area, the director’s office and a spacious fully equipped kitchen with blue linoleum tiles surrounded by sparkling white cabinets and newer appliances. Men are responsible for their own groceries and meal preparation.
The Bridgeport Rescue Mission, which is next door to the house, serves three hot meals a day. Often residents eat inside the mission’s dining room. Additionally, the mission has a food pantry and supplies groceries to financially challenged individuals.
Rules and Regulations
Prior to admission, clients must have been clean and sober for a minimum of 30 days. A preliminary drug and alcohol screening is conducted. During the first month, men must attend three weekly 12-step meetings. Clients are expected to have a full-time job or other feasible income, so that rent is paid in a timely manner.
During the weekdays, unemployed clients must be out of the house looking for work. After 30 days, clients are evaluated, and depending on their work schedules, are allowed to attend less weekly meetings. Other rules include performance of household chores, upholding good relations with housemates and neighbors, and maintenance of respectful, polite behavior and conduct. The 9 pm curfew is more of a guideline than an enforced rule.
The one thing that is not negotiable is abstinence from drugs and alcohol. Clients undergo random drug and alcohol screenings. Those who have relapsed residents are immediately evicted from the premises.
Extras
The house is within local distance of Bridgeport’s 12-step meetings, train and bus terminals, and Seaview Park. Vocational referrals are provided upon request for residents who need to find jobs.
In Summary
For the most part, clients are allowed to be independent here, often coming and going, usually to and from work, a meeting or visiting with family. For clients seeking a more structured setting, The Gorham Fellowship might not be the right fit, but for those who have a little time under their belt, this quaint Victorian house in a cool East Coast location is a great affordable choice for sober living.
The Gorham Fellowship
1108 Fairfield Ave
Bridgeport, CT 06605
The Gorham Fellowship Cost: $320-$560 (30 days). Reach The Gorham Fellowship by phone at (203) 908-4487 or by email at ms.mack@gorhamfellowship.org. Find The Gorham Fellowship on Google+ and Facebook
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Photo courtesy of JulianColton (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons (resized and cropped).
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