The Basics
Founded in 2008 by Eric “BZ” Botelho, who is in recovery, Sanctuary House in San Juan Capistrano, California, provides faith-based gender-specific sober living homes for men and women. While being a Christian is not necessary for admittance, Sanctuary House advocates a strong Christ-centered environment, and utilizes the 12 steps in their guiding principles.
Accommodations and Amenities
Sanctuary House has two female-only homes and three male-only houses located throughout the area. Approximately 22 women and 30 men are accommodated in total. While facilities are gender-specific, Sanctuary House is community oriented and residents participate in many events together.
The houses are all in close proximity to the beach. Clients are paired in comfortably furnished rooms. Amenities include Wi-Fi, Cable TV and laundry facilities. Each house has a fully equipped kitchen. Additionally, the clients are responsible for their own groceries and meal preparation. House managers live on the premises, and oversee day-to-day operations.
Rules and Regulations
In ordered to be considered for admittance, potential clients must exhibit a willingness to respect a Christ-centered environment, as well as a desire to work the steps. Prior to acceptance, they must have already undergone detox (if necessary) and test clean and sober.
Weekly requirements include attendance at five 12-step meetings, participation at house meetings and performance of household chores. The curfew is 11 pm Sundays through Thursdays, and one am on Fridays and Saturdays. At Sanctuary House, there is a Monday night 7:30 pm Bible study at the Capistrano Business Center in San Juan Capistrano. All Sanctuary House residents gather as a group at the Bible Study, but the event is open to the public. Additionally, many clients attend services at Sanctuary Church where Botelho is a pastor. Besides going to AA/NA/CA, Bible study participation or being present at church service counts towards the weekly meeting requirement. Residents have the option of attending Celebrate Recovery meetings.
At Sanctuary House, a zero tolerance policy is upheld. Random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted. Those who have relapsed are immediately evicted from the premises, to ensure the safety of the entire sober living community. Other forbidden behaviors which warrant immediate eviction include having sexual relations between clients, being violent, exhibiting disrespectful behavior and using profanity.
Extras
Sanctuary House stresses that they are an omni-denominational community, and welcomes clients with all types of beliefs with the hopes that they will keep an open mind and heart to the ideas of Christ.
In Summary
At Sanctuary House, there is a strong sense of community, and many residents participate in gatherings where they build strong bonds and a sense of fellowship. Those who seek to explore Christ as a Higher Power, while doing their steps might find themselves quite happy here. They are full at the moment, but potential clients should call and express interest at being added to the waiting list.
Sanctuary House
27122A Paseo Espada #904
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Sanctuary House Cost: $1,000 (30 days). Reach Sanctuary House by phone at (818) 370-6128 or by email. Find Sanctuary House at Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn
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Photo courtesy of Lordkinbote at English Wikipedia (Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons.) [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons (resized and cropped).
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