Economic woes force cuts in Kansas City alcohol recovery program

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Rediscover, an alcohol and substance abuse program, was planning to open a new residential treatment facility called Friendship House until the economy tanked in 2008.

Marsha Page, ReDiscover’s clinical director, said that the economy is hurting her organization in two ways.

“Money problems are a trigger causing many people struggling with alcohol and drug abuse to plunge deeper into their addictions or relapse if they were in treatment,” Page explained. That leads to more people seeking help at ReDiscover.

“Our problem is that because of the economy, our state foundation and donations have not increased," she said, "so we’re forced to try to provide more services to more women without more money.”

Residential treatment programs followed by residential transitional programs provide the greatest sobriety success rates. ReDiscover has a building called Catherine’s House for its residential treatment facility. The organization purchased a building in 2002 for its residential transitional program.

But when the economy crashed, ReDiscover couldn’t raise enough money to renovate the building. It now sits empty and unused.

“We raised about $500,000, and we need to raise another $500,000 to restore the building,” Paige said.

Regina McKinney, a former client who now works as a case manager at ReDiscover, is hoping Kansas Citians will see the great need and donate the money.

“I tried to get sober without residential transitional program, and I relapsed,” McKinney said. "I know how important it is to have 14 months of post-recovery lifeskills training in a residential facility."

She was able to get a job, go back to school and was subsequently hired by ReDiscover to help women struggling with the same challenges she faced.

“I’ve been sober 18 years this month, and I know women can stop using and abusing if they get the help they need,” McKinney said.

If you would like to make a donation to ReDiscover for the Friendship House residential treatment program, visit http://www.rediscovermh.org/