Transitional Living Communities, a non-profit corporation, is unique among recovery programs in Arizona. In fact, there aren't any in the United States that work the same way - at least to my knowledge.
The program was started in January 1992 with no government funding - just addicts with dreams of staying sober and rebuilding their lives. The first housing was an old three-building complex on south Robson street in Mesa, Arizona.
In the beginning, we struggled to make ends meet. We found used beds and furniture. We pooled our money to buy food. Everyone, even the managers, worked outside jobs and contributed toward paying the bills. Nothing came easy in the early days.
None of the managers drew salaries, a few of them didn't get paid for the first two years. Everyone had their eyes on the goal: to help recovering addicts rebuild their lives, a mission that made the struggles worthwhile.
One unique policy we had was that we accepted any addict who asked for help, whether he had money or not. The only exception is that we didn't accept sexual predators or arsonists. It's a policy we still follow today.
At this writing, we house as many as 850 clients at one time. We serve some 2700 meals a day. We obtain clothing, dental services, prescription glasses and other medical services for our clients.
Over the years we've created several businesses, including a temporary labor group, an air conditioning company, a roofing and remodeling company, a state-licensed treatment program, a towing company, a convenience store, a maintenance service, - all businesses that provide employment and training for those who come to us mostly without skills. Recently we obtained our State contractor's license, which allows us to build from the ground up. And between Thanksgiving and Christmas, we sell Christmas trees from Oregon to provide bonuses to our management team and also for those who run the lots.
Almost 27 years later we're still doing the same thing and helping those who have no where else to turn.
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