The Basics
Founded in 2015 in North Wales, Pennsylvania, by Matthew Douglas and Matthew Bartelt, who both have long-term sobriety, Sunlight of the Spirit House provides 12-step based sober living for men in recovery. Both men believe that the 12-steps have been crucial to their recovery, and by opening Sunlight of the Spirit House, they feel that they can be of service to other recovering alcoholics and addicts.
Accommodations and Amenities
The historic house was once home to Civil War-era artist William Trego, who died there in 1909. By 2011, the Colonial style house, which once had a historical marker, had fallen into disarray. After purchasing the house, Douglas and Bartelt renovated it. The picturesque fenced backyard includes the studio (where Trego once painted), ample greenery, an antique park bench and trees.
The white-walled, wood tiled interior features eclectic furnishings from an antique hutch to a modern black entertainment center with a huge flat screen TV. The house includes five bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large fully equipped kitchen, a dining room and living room. Sunlight of the Spirit House accommodates no more than ten clients who are paired in carpeted rooms, which include bunk beds or twin beds with headboards, closet space, dressers and lamps.
While residents are responsible for their own groceries and meal preparation, typically one of the residents cooks dinner for the entire household. A house manager lives on the premises. Every two weeks, staff brings groceries to the house and ensures that the kitchen is fully stocked with food. Amenities include Cable TV, Wi-Fi, a washer and dryer.
Rules and Regulations
Potential clients are assessed on a case-by-case basis. They must be clean and sober prior to admittance. During the first 30 days, residents undergo a black out period. They are not allowed to leave the house unless they are attending outpatient treatment or looking for a full time job. They must attend 12-step meetings with a resident who is not on restraint. While they are home, they must work on their steps or on a personal recovery plan. During the first week, residents must acquire a sponsor and a home group. The first three steps must be completed during the black out period. After black out period is over, clients progress into several phases.
The curfew time is determined by the phase. Other weekly requirements include attending five 12-step meetings and having meeting slips signed by a secretary, obtaining a full time job, performance of household chores and assembling with the house manager to discuss recovery plans.
Sunlight of the Spirit House practices a zero tolerance policy. Random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted. Relapsed residents are immediately evicted from the premises. Other taboo behaviors, which result in immediate expulsion, include theft, lying, and possession of weapons, violence of any kind, property destruction and refusal to take drug tests.
Extras
Sunlight of the Spirit House is located in close proximity to many local businesses and 12-step meetings. Bartelt and Douglas are in the process of procuring a second house.
In Summary
Besides the fact that the staff cares about the well being of their clients, Sunlight of the Spirit House offers a highly structured 12-step protocol. The historic house, which had become an eyesore, has undergone an amazing metamorphosis. Like the building, men at Sunlight of the Spirit House are able to experience spiritual transformations while they work their steps. For clients searching for a unique 12-step based sober living house on the East Coast, Sunlight of the Spirit House might be worth checking out.
Sunlight of the Spirit House
509 East Montgomery Ave
North Wales, PA 19454
Sunlight of the Spirit House Cost: $600 (30 days). Reach Sunlight of the Spirit House by phone at (610) 755-7708 or by email at info@sunlightofthespirithouse.com. Find Sunlight of the Spirit House at Facebook and Twitter
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Photo courtesy of Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant) (Own work (self-made photograph)) [CC BY-SA 2.5 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons (resized and cropped).
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