Lighthouse Recovery Community Center has a new home for those who need help recovering from substance abuse disorder.
The Port, as it’s now called, is the former home of the Lighthouse Recovery Community Drop-In Center on Park Street.
But now it’s a residence specifically for women in recovery who either are pregnant or have children.
Lighthouse Board President Kristen Odell tells Seehafer News that women sometimes must leave their children behind before they go into recovery.
But she explained that “This house, this Port, makes it so they don’t have to leave their kids behind. They get to take them with them as they enter into recovery.”
But while the new drop-in center on State Street allows anyone throughout the day, The Port is only residential.
Lighthouse Executive Director Jason Latva was joined by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul, Michelle Hayes from the Wisconsin Department of Human Services, and State Assemblyman Paul Tittl for a ribbon cutting for the new home yesterday afternoon.
Kaul explained how his department has been fighting to stop substance abuse disorder by being a part of a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma.
Through his work, he says the Badger state got some money back.
“We have now helped to secure about $750 million dollars that’s going to go to the state of Wisconsin to fight this epidemic,” Kaul explained to a round of applause from the crowd gathered.
Tittl says the name Lighthouse is very appropriate for the organization, since they guide people to safety.
“It provides an area to go,” Tittl said. “It provides a light to show you where to go.”
Tittl also thanked Lighthouse founder Christma Rusch for everything she did to start the organization.
The presentation before the ribbon cutting finished with Latva and Board Member Beth Schnider revealing the sign for the newly named home.
There is space available in the home, although there will be two residents moving in soon.
The Port is now only one of a few residences in the state where women can stay with their children.
