Governor Kaine Celebrates One-year Anniversary of the Healing Place
– Residential Richmond rehab facility has 65% success rate –

RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today delivered the keynote address during the first anniversary celebration of The Healing Place, a long-term residential recovery facility in Richmond for homeless men with addictions. The event featured a tour of the facility and recognition of the men who have completed the program.

“I am delighted to share in the celebration of The Healing Place’s first anniversary,” said Governor Kaine. “These men’s stories of past drug addiction and homelessness have new chapters now, uplifting stories about becoming functioning contributors to our community. It is a tribute to not only this program but also the power of the human spirit.”

The Healing Place opened its doors on March 2, 2005 in response to recommendations from research conducted by the Annabella Jenkins Foundation, the 1997 Richmond City Council Task Force on Homelessness, and HOMEWARD.  The studies identified a need for additional long-term recovery beds for the homeless struggling with addictions. While mayor of the city of Richmond, Governor Kaine and a delegation of area leaders visited the Healing Place in Raleigh, North Carolina, to learn more about the program.

The Healing Place is a comprehensive 12-step program that focuses on the individual’s recovery through a flexible, incentive-based program that allows clients to work toward long-term sobriety.  It combines an overnight shelter, a residential recovery program, a non-medical detoxification center, and a medical clinic in a single facility.  This unique integrated approach provides a non-threatening and supportive environment with incentives to guide clients to program completion.

“We are excited about the impact we are having on the Greater Richmond community and especially with the success we are having in changing men’s lives,” said William Gregory, Chair of the Board of Directors for The Healing Place.  “This is a day of celebration!  When a client enters our door, he lacks hope and the understanding of the addictions that afflict him.  Whether its alcohol, heroin, cocaine, or some other substance -- the drug has driven them to homelessness and in many cases left them with no options. When he leaves, he is drug free and working.”

The Healing Place model has a 65% success rate, and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as a ‘Model That Works’ – a program that can produce better-than-average outcomes.  The program is cost effective.  The total cost to operate the facility and provide services is $25 per day, per client ($9,125 per year, per client). 

“Our first product is hope,” said Michael Christin, Executive Director for The Healing Place. “We give men who have exhausted all options and burned every bridge a chance to live and learn from others who have been where they are…and more often than not the light comes on and they see the opportunity for a change of life.”

“Before I came to The Healing Place, I used people and things.  I used drugs and took from folk.  The Healing Place help me understand that I was worth something and had value….because of that, I am clean and sober”, said “W.J.,” a client who is employed.

The 23,000-square-foot building sits on just over 3 acres in an industrially zoned area of the city’s Southside.  The Healing Place originated in Louisville, Kentucky and the Richmond facility is the third to open after Raleigh.

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