The Basics
Founded in 2009 by Callan Crawford in Saint Paul, Minnesota, Stepping Stones Supportive Services offers sober living for men and women in early recovery from chemical dependency. Crawford, who is in long-term recovery, lived in an unsavory environment when he first got clean and sober. He moved into a sober living facility to protect his recovery. His own personal experience inspired him to open Stepping Stones, so that he could be of service to other recovering alcoholics and addicts. At Stepping Stones, their mission is to help clients learn accountability, while they learn to work a 12-step program and rebuild their lives.
Accommodations and Amenities
Stepping Stones is comprised of eight gender-specific houses, each accommodating between eight and 10 clients. There are seven men’s homes, and one woman’s house. The quaint houses differ in style, including a blue-shingled traditional style house and a white Victorian. Newcomers are paired in spacious, sunlit rooms, which include twin beds, dressers and a closet. Singles are available for senior residents. Each house has between two and three full bathrooms.
The residents are responsible for their own groceries, and meals are prepared in fully equipped kitchens. Amenities include Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, paid utilities and cable TV. House managers live on the premises. Ample street parking is provided. The houses are located in close proximity to businesses, where residents can look for work. Additionally, senior house members provide vocational assistance. Smoking is permitted outside in designated areas only.
Rules and Regulations
Prior to admission, clients must fill out an application, followed by an assessment with staff. All clients must have completed detox. A three-month minimum length of stay is required. Requirements include attending a minimum of three weekly 12-step meetings, finding a home group and sponsor, actively maintaining a relationship with the sponsor and working the steps. Those with over a year of sobriety can attend a minimum of two weekly 12-step meetings. Verification of meeting attendance is required in certain cases.
Other obligations include being at the house meeting and the Big Book study, finding full-time employment or attending a full-time academic program, or attending school, plus working part-time. Unemployed residents must actively look for work on a daily basis, until they secure a job. Residents must be out of bed by 9 am Mondays through Fridays, and 11 am on weekends. Performance of household chores is also mandatory. During the first 30 days of residency, the curfew is 11 pm Sundays through Thursdays, and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. After 30 days, the curfew is 1 am Sundays through Thursdays, and 1:30 am Fridays and Saturdays.
Random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted. Residents who relapse are immediately discharged from the premises to ensure the safety of the entire household. Other forbidden behaviors, which warrant immediate expulsion, include engaging in compulsive sexual behavior, including browsing pornography online, threats, violence, theft and non-payment of rent.
Extras
Stepping Stones is a member of the Minnesota Association of Sober Homes (MASH), which demands high standards from its affiliates.
In Summary
From Crawford’s personal experience, he has been able to provide a successful sober living environment that allows residents ample opportunities to work a comprehensive 12-step program, as well as a chance to be part of a fellowship. The houses promote camaraderie and encourage peer support. Additionally, Saint Paul is a thriving recovery community, and jobs are not that hard to find. Stepping Stones is a wonderful sober living community to become a part of in early recovery.
Stepping Stones Supportive Services
936 Armstrong Ave
Saint Paul, MN 55102
Stepping Stones Supportive Services Cost: $625-$650 (30 days, not including a $625-$650 sobriety deposit). Reach Stepping Stones Supportive Services by phone at (612) 219-4806 (men), (651) 206-5895 (women) or by email at steppingstones@comcast.net. Find Stepping Stones Supportive Services at Facebook
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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.
