The Basics
Founded in 2004, Westside Willows, which has a huge weeping willow tree in the front yard of the house, provides sober living for women in recovery. Located in Venice, California, the house is only a short walk from the beach, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, 12-step meetings and coffee houses.
Accommodations and Amenities
The spacious single-family house boasts ample sunlight, and has two and half bathrooms and five bedrooms. Besides the lush weeping willow tree, the front yard has a landscaped lawn, birdbath and a quaint mailbox. Vines of purple morning glories weave around the gated fence, providing privacy from the street. Westside Willows accommodates no more than 11 residents, including the manager, who is referred to as the “house mother.”
The bedrooms all sport unique names and include the private room, the double-occupancy daisy, blue and willow rooms and the triple-occupancy green room. The rooms are comfortably furnished with twin beds covered with country style comforters and matching pillows, windows, natural wood dressers and lamps.
Clients are responsible for purchasing their own groceries. Meals are prepared in the kitchen. Amenities include a house telephone, Cable TV, Wi-Fi, laundry room and utilities. There are several bicycles available for residents to use. Smoking is permitted in a cozy outdoor patio, which is furnished with table and chairs.
Rules and Regulations
While 30 days clean and sober prior to admission is preferred, clients are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Some women are accepted with only a few days of sobriety, but all must have undergone detox. Westside Willows is deeply rooted in the 12 steps. For the first 30 days, a daily AA/NA meeting is required. Clients must find and actively work with a sponsor. During this time, the curfew is 11:30 pm seven days a week. After the first 30 days, unemployed clients must attend four weekly meetings, and house meetings.
The requirements for working clients vary, depending on their job schedule. The curfew is 11:30 pm from Sundays to Thursdays, and 1:30 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Additional services at Westside Willows include mentoring, referrals to local Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP) and help with goal setting and planning for the future. Clients are encouraged to look for work, attend an IOP or pursue an academic education. Random drug and alcohol testing is conducted to ensure the safety of the entire house. Westside Willows operates on a zero tolerance policy. Relapsed clients are asked to leave the house immediately.
Extras
Westside Willows hosts a Monday night 7:30 pm AA meeting for women, featuring a guest female speaker who visits the house, and shares her experience, strength and hope.
Westside Willows is a member of the Sober Living Network, Los Angeles County Sober Living Coalition.
In Summary
The “Westside Willow girls” are a tight knit group of women, who rely on and learn from each other while working on their recovery. For a woman seeking an intimate sober living home at a highly affordable price in trendy Venice, Westside Willows is the place to go.
Westside Willows
911 Indiana Ave
Venice, CA 90291
Westside Willows Cost: $699-$850 (30 days). Reach Westside Willows by phone at (310) 466-8908 or by email. Find Westside Willows on Facebook
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Photo courtesy of WestsideWillows
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.
