The Basics
True Friends Place provides faith-based sober living for women in the tiny town of Brook Park, Minnesota, which is 80 miles north of Minneapolis. Founded in 2012, the current director is Jon Lundberg, who has been sober for five years. Besides incorporating daily devotionals and Bible studies in their curriculum, True Friends Place looks for clients who want to work a 12-step program of recovery. Their mission is to help clients get in touch with their inner strengths and resources, while providing a safe and supportive setting. The word “TRUE” in their name is an acronym for “trust, respect, understanding and encouragement.”
Accommodations and Amenities
True Friends Place accommodates ten women inside a two-story cabin style house. The exterior is composed of rocks and wood, and includes a covered entryway made of logs. The rustic interior features a spacious country style living room, a sunlit fully equipped kitchen made from natural wood, and cabin style bedrooms, which include twin beds, closets, desks, dressers and lamps and wall art. The downstairs area accommodates four clients, and the upstairs are has three bedrooms, with two people in each room. At True Friends Place, cable TV and Wi-Fi are not provided, so that clients can focus on their recovery.
The kitchen is fully stocked with food. Financially challenged clients are on Group Residential Housing (GRH), a state-funded program that pays for housing and food costs. Senior residents take turns planning and shopping for groceries, on a weekly basis. The entire household rotates and prepares meals, which they eat, family-style. Clients are also given money so that they can purchase snacks. A house manager lives on the premises, and Renee Pautsch, general manager oversees operations. Smoking is permitted in the back on the west side of the building only.
Rules and Regulations
True Friends Place asks that clients have a minimum of two weeks sobriety. Most clients arrive from an inpatient program. Women must be ages 18 and older, and exhibit a strong willingness to participate in a faith-based program. However, potential clients don’t have to be Christian to enter the program. They can’t be sex offenders, or women convicted of murder or other violent crimes. Additionally, clients can’t be afflicted with a severe mental health disorder. Those on Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), including methadone and Suboxone are also not accepted.
The average length of stay is between three and 18 months. During the first 30 days, cell phones and laptops are not permitted. Requirements include attending a minimum of two weekly 12-step meetings including Celebrate Recovery and/or AA/NA, and one Church service, being at the house meeting and performing household chores. Participation in daily devotional sessions, Bible studies and weekly equine therapy is mandated. Clients must also obtain sponsors within the first four months of residency.
During their stay, clients progress through four phases. When they move onto the next phase, they must maintain the previous phase’s requirements. During the first stage, women become acclimated to their surroundings. They participate in program activities. They work on their weekly goals, and lead opening and closing prayers at house activities. After 30 days, if approved, they can use their cell phones and lap tops. During phase two, residents become more engaged in program activities, focus on completing Weekly Goals on time, and teach a Bible study or life skills activity for at least four weeks. Also, they are encouraged to open or close daily devotions with prayer.
Phase three residents participate in education classes, perform community service, take part in parenting classes (if appropriate), and attend offsite Bible study groups. By this point, clients are able to procure their own transportation for essential excursions. Phase four residents obtain necessary documents and other paperwork so that they can re-enter the workforce. They work on an exit plan, which includes housing. Other requirements include completing a Financial Peace University course, attending an outside Church or Bible study, actively seeking employment and finding suitable housing.
Financial Peace University is an online, Biblically based money management curriculum. The curfew is 9 pm seven days a week. Random drug and alcohol screenings are conducted. At True Friends Place, residents who have relapsed must leave the premises.
Extras
Transportation is provided for outings. Other services include individual prayer support, spiritual mentoring, personal prayer plans, goal planning and a stay-in-touch plan.
At True Friends Place, Pautsch has a medical background and is certified as an equine therapist and horse trainer. The facility provides equine therapy.
In Summary
Located in the rustic countryside, women who seek a faith-based and 12-step based approach will find themselves at home at True Friends Place. Staff works closely with clients, helping them achieve healthy and realistic goals. True Friends Place cultivates an atmosphere of family, which is highly beneficial to women in early recovery. The equine therapy, which is quite popular, is an added plus.
True Friends Place
3007 Pilot Street
Brook Park, MN 55007
True Friends Place Cost: $891 (30 days). Reach True Friends Place by phone at (320) 679-8910 or by email at director@truefriendsplace.com. Find True Friends Place at Facebook
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