Recovery Renaissance celebrates grand opening of men's sober living home

ELIZABETHTON – Recovery Renaissance celebrated the grand opening of its new men's sober living home with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday afternoon. "This is literally a dream come true for me to be here today," said Jason Stout, founder of Recovery Renaissance, during the ribbon cutting. "I look out here and there's so many of you that have helped me along the way, and I just want you to know how grateful I am for that." Recovery Renaissance is a non-profit organization that offers a 12-step recovery program while emphasizing creativity for recovering individuals. The new sober living house will provide eight clients a place to call home as they go through the recovery program. Stout said opening a sober living home was one of the first goals he had after founding Recovery Renaissance, wanting to help others escape the struggles of addiction after having first-hand experience being addicted to opioids. Now eight years sober, Stout said seeing his organization open a men's sober living home completes part of his mission: to help those in need. "I can't think of a better life for an addict like me who's life completely changed through recovery and give it to somebody else. It's what we're taught to do," he said. "To me, there's no better feeling in the world than seeing the light come on in somebody's eyes that was once completely hopeless, and you see it a lot. There's a lot of failures in recovery, but that's part of our process. We're always going to be open arms for those who want to try the second, third or fourth time – whatever it takes." The sober living house also has special meaning to Stout. He said some of the worst moments during his addiction were experienced in the home. However, knowing people will find help within the home's walls, he said, makes every moment he experienced worth the journey. "I became an intravenous user in this house, both the first time and the last time," Stout said. "I was arrested in this house. Two failed marriages ran through this house. To see it bring hope to others, I can't think of a better full circle moment than that." Stout added he was most excited to see his work and dream become a reality with the home opening its doors. "I've been on such a grind here lately that I'm trying to, at this stage now that it's here and we're out in the community, just recognize what a journey it's been and feel those good emotions from it," he said. The sober living home is located at 297 Keenburg Rd. More information about Recovery Renaissance and its program can be found at recovery-renaissance.org.