The Basics
Founded by Jeff and Teri Browne only a few blocks away from the Atlantic Ocean in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, The Refuge Group provides gender-specific sober living for men in recovery. Their mission is to provide a faith-based environment where clients can build a strong relationship with Christ, and also build a foundation in a 12-step program. Their sober living program is known as The Tower at The Refuge Group.
Accommodations and Amenities
The Refuge Group accommodates a total of 26 men in four gender-specific houses. Clients share comfortably furnished double-occupancy rooms. The houses include fully equipped kitchens with state of the art appliances, utensils, and cookware. Coffee and kitchen staples are supplied. Clients receive daily continental breakfasts. At times, pantry items are donated and available for clients. At other times, residents are responsible for their own groceries and meal preparation. Occasionally, clients will take turns preparing a dinner for the entire household.
Outside designated smoking areas are provided. Amenities include 60” TVs with cable, Wi-Fi, free local and long distance telephone, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, bicycles, discounted local gym memberships, transportation to and from church, weekly meetings and utilities. Staff lives on the premises, and oversees operations.
Rules and Regulations
Potential clients must have undergone detox prior to admission. Requirements include acquiring a sponsor within one week of arrival. Those who don’t find one within that time frame risk being evicted from the house. Clients must complete the first four steps, and be ready to do the fifth step within the first 60 days. Other requirements include attending daily AA or other 12-step meetings, Celebrate Recovery or weekly church services, performing household chores, attending house meetings and being awake by 6:30 am Mondays through Thursdays, to be ready for the 7 am morning house meetings. On Fridays, residents must wake up by 7:30 am and be ready by 8 am.
During the weekdays, residents aren’t allowed in their rooms between the hours of 7 am and 1 pm, unless they are preparing for their day. All reading, journaling and step work must be completed in a common area or in a meeting room. At Refuge Group, there is the belief that recovery is based on surrender and service. Clients must “surrender” by performing a minimum of four hours of weekly service work.
The curfew is 11 pm Sundays through Thursdays, and 12 am Fridays and Saturdays. At The Refuge Group, a zero tolerance policy is conducted. Random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted, and residents who relapse are removed from the premises.
Extras
As a non-profit 501c (3) corporation, The Refuge Group relies on donations and volunteers, including those who can help clients balance a checkbook or teach them basic life skills. Other services besides housing include referrals for life skills groups, outpatient treatment, mental health and psychiatric care.
As a non-profit 501c (3) corporation, The Refuge Group relies on donations and volunteers, including those who can help clients balance a checkbook or teach them basic life skills.
In Summary
For men who are open to exploring the concept of Christ as a Higher Power, while they work on their steps, The Refuge Group might turn out to be the perfect haven.
The Refuge Group, Inc.
1015 Atlantic Blvd #432
Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
The Refuge Group Cost: $800 (30 days). Reach The Refuge Group by phone at (904) 372-0789. Find The Refuge Group on Facebook and YouTube
Sponsored DISCLAIMER: This is a paid advertisement for California Behavioral Health, LLC, a CA licensed substance abuse treatment provider and not a service provided by The Fix. Calls to this number are answered by CBH, free and without obligation to the consumer. No one who answers the call receives a fee based upon the consumer’s choice to enter treatment. For additional info on other treatment providers and options visit www.samhsa.gov.
