The Basics
Isaiah House is a Christian-based, 12-step oriented sober living for men. Isaiah House is located on the border of the Chattahoochee National Forest in Ellijay, Georgia, only about 20 miles from the borders of Tennessee and North Carolina. Founded in 2004 by Ed Jeffery, who has long-term recovery, and his wife, Sally, the goal of the house is for newly sober clients feel like they have a home, while they work on recovery, get jobs and learn how to be productive members of society. The Jefferys refer to themselves as the house “mom” and “dad” and their clients as “family.”
Accommodations and Amenities
Isaiah House accommodates between 20 and 22 men, inside a quaint white farm-style residence, which has a large wrap around white deck. The house sits on three acres of countryside. Accommodations vary, but there are usually between three and four men sharing a furnished room, which includes twin beds, dressers, and a closet. Plastic bins for storage, are kept under beds.
The house includes a fully equipped kitchen, with extra refrigerators and freezers, all stocked with groceries and frozen food. The pantries are full of canned good, food, coffee, creamer, bread, beverages and other non-perishable food items. Clients are served daily breakfast from six to nine am, lunch at 11:30 am and dinner at six pm Mondays through Fridays, and 7:20 pm Sundays. Clients have to provide their own dinner on Saturdays.
Clients dine together, as a family. Usually, paper plates and plastic eating utensils are provided, to minimize kitchen clean up. Working clients are prepared sack lunches to take with them. Amenities include laundry facilities, local transportation, landline phone for local calls and cable TV. Transportation outside of Ellijay is provided, at a cost. Staff lives on the premises to provide supervision.
Rules and Regulations
Potential clients must be between the ages of 20 and 25, physically able to work and have completed a drug rehab program. Criminal justice clients are also accepted, provided that they meet basic requirements. All applicants must pass a drug and alcohol screening, prior to admittance. A minimum six-month length of stay is recommended.
During the first 30 days, clients are not allowed to use their cell phones. During that time, they must find a sponsor and work Steps One through Three. They must complete those steps to have their phones returned. After they complete Step Seven, they are granted overnight passes. Residents are expected to find gainful employment, so that they can learn financial independence. Performance of household chores is also required. The curfew is 11 pm seven days a week.
Guidelines for spiritual growth include attending Sunday church service, going to a minimum of four weekly 12-step meetings, participating in Bible study and learning how to interpret the steps through scripture. During their stay, the men must utilize Henry Blackaby’s Experiencing God workbook, participate in group discussions over the material and complete written assignments. Other required reading includes John Bevere’s How to Be A Man: Wild at Heart, and Bait of Satan (also by Bevere).
Extras
Other services include individual mentoring, financial training, GED counseling and vocational assistance.
Isaiah House is a member of the Georgia Association of Recovery Residences, which stresses high standards from its affiliates.
In Summary
With the Jefferys at the helm, Isaiah House is a great residence for clients seeking a combination of scripture and the steps. This “mom and pop” sober living provides a nurturing environment for residents, so that they can feel secure and safe, while they embark on healthy new lives. Isaiah House is in the process of expanding, and are adding another residence so that they can serve more men.
Isaiah House
1242 Old Highway 5 South
Ellijay, GA 30540
Isaiah House
PO Box 2241
Ellijay, GA 30540
Isaiah House Cost: $700 (30 days, not including a $350 admission fee). Reach Isaiah House by phone at (706) 635-5353 or by email. Find Isaiah House on Facebook and YouTube
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