Grace House Review
Grace House in Shenandoah, Virginia is a women’s residential treatment house based on the principles of AA recovery, dedicated to offering a peer-supported atmosphere that encourages residents to bond as family and maintain lifelong sobriety. In 2003, sisters Bonnie and Kerry Scott bought and renovated a house for the purpose of offering a safe recovery space to women. Though Bonnie has since passed, the house is dedicated to her memory and efforts to help women achieve and maintain sobriety. Grace House believes 12-step programs make sober living possible one day at a time. AA and NA meetings are held at the house several times each week.
Accommodations and Amenities
Grace House is situated in a rural suburban family neighborhood not far from the Shenandoah River, as well as near the Blue Ridge Mountains and only eight miles from Shenandoah National Park. The house is a colonial saltbox structure with rustic furnishings, all decorated in feminine color tones and palettes. The property is fronted with a picket fence and natural landscaping, giving the impression of family living. Furnishings are dark wood with plush cushioning or painted wicker. There’s also a front porch where residents can socialize when the weather permits.
The house accommodates 10 women and has two full bathrooms and a half bath. Bedrooms are double-occupancy with simple furnishings, original wood floors, carpets and adequate storage and sunlight. Laundry facilities are on-site. The kitchen, living room and dining area have enough space for meal preparation and dining as a group. Residents are responsible for their own meals and groceries are not included in the rental fee. The living room has a TV with cable and there are CD and DVD players in the house, as well as a reading library. Clients share chores and are encouraged to assist each other with shopping and other chores as necessary.
Rules and Regulations
The program generally lasts three months though it can go longer as needed, if the program manager and resident concur. Stays can last as long as 24 months.
For the first two weeks, no visitation or outside communication is allowed. On-site visitors are allowed after this probationary period, followed by off-site visits (approved on a case-by-case basis). Residents participate in weekly house meetings, perform chores and attend in-house AA meetings at least four times a week. Employment and volunteering are encouraged during residency, though not strictly required. Though daytime jobs are generally always acceptable, nighttime employment must be approved by staff.
All clients must have their beds made and possessions stored by 9 am unless otherwise arranged, and should be out of their rooms and engaged in peer-support activities as often as possible. TV time is limited so attention can be focused on recovery. Visitation is limited to the weekends, and curfew is at 10 pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends. Lack of effort and motivation and negative, counter-productive behavior can be cause for removal from the program.
Extras
Grace House participates in the Faces and Voice Recovery Movement, which campaigns for the right of all people to have access to recovery resources.
In Summary
Grace House is a supportive home for women learning to live sober, productive lives. The facility is no-frills, though its proximity to Shenandoah National Park should appeal to those fond of the outdoors. Grace House is heavy on the 12 steps and stresses independence in recovery
Grace House Location
Grace House Shenandoah
PO Box 52
Shenandoah, VA 22849
Grace House Cost
$400 (30 days, $350 non-refundable deposit). Contact Grace House by phone at (540) 652-8926 or by email at gracehouseshen@gmail.com. Find Grace House on Facebook
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