House of Hope is a faith-based recovery program for those struggling with addiction in Mercer County.

With two recovery homes available to Mercer County, residents sign an agreement to participate in an 8-month long program (can be up to 18 months). Throughout the program, residents are put through a five-phase program, monitored by a professional. Each phase has different requirements and privileges, such as: getting a job, planning a budget, paying off court and attorney fees, opening a savings account and developing a workable exit plan.

In both the men’s and women’s houses, residents are responsible for taking care of the facility they live in, as well as learning personal responsibility for themselves.

Spiritual Transformation

Lifelong Recovery

Accountability

Love & Compassion

Stories of

Strength & Inspiration.

“December 31st, 2018, I was arrested. Wow, what a relief. I was truly angry, but I knew something was changing. Sandy with the House of Hope was waiting for me upon my release and had the tools to transform even a soul like me. I successfully completed the program, started working a full-time job and have all three of my children. All I had to do was surrender and trust God. He was my last resort, but my only success. God is good!”

“We walk alongside residents and assist with learning how to become productive citizens and living joyfully sober, along with support in finding a full-time job and church community, as well as reconnecting with family.”

Our Story

Our mission is to offer Jesus-centered hope for people with addictions by providing an intentional pathway to long-term, whole-life transformation.

Board of

Directors

Sandy Huckemeyer

Executive Director

Bruce Swonger

Board President

Luke VanTilburg

Treasurer

Nancy Wolters

Secretary

Board

Members

Board Members: Ron Adams, Sue Buxton, Claudia Coe, Pastor Craig Flack, Tonya Huber, Angie McLaughlin, Jenny Snider, Bruce Swonger, Luke VanTilburg, Jim Wedd and Nancy Wolters.

Advisory Board Members: Molli Schleucher and Bobbi Stoner

A Thank You

from the Board

We would like to thank all who have stood and continue to stand behind the Mercer County House of Hope and our mission. Since 2014, we have served 100+ local residents.

Thank you to the county commissioners who have joined our cause and continue to lease us their house and grounds that our facilities stand on. Thank you to the county employees and their departments who work side by side, to all the clergy, churches and community members who continue to pray for our residents, the businesses that supply goods and services, the civic groups, all our volunteers and the many that so generously donate. As always, God’s blessings on the St. John Builders for construction of the Men’s House. Most importantly, we thank God for guiding us from where we began to what we have become.

– Mercer County House of Hope Board of Directors

FAQs

Program

What are the key elements to the program?

Throughout a resident’s journey, the following elements are key to achieving success:
• Attend 2 AA/NA & 1 Brianna’s Hope Meeting (Weekly)
• Attend 1 Church Service & 1 Bible Study (Weekly)
• Submit to Random Drug Testing
• Participate in HOH Activities
• Community Service
• Find a Job

What are the support programs offered?

The following programs play a pivotal part throughout a resident’s journey:
• AA & NA Organizations
• Local Churches
• Brianna’s Hope
• Counselors at Foundations Behavioral Services
• Coleman’s Professional Services
• Restoration Counseling & Other Independent Counselors
• The Residents at the House of Hope

After completing the program, what do residents leave with?

The Mercer County House of Hope walks alongside residents and assists them with learning how to become productive citizens, living joyfully sober, along with support in finding a full-time job and church community, as well as reconnecting with family.

What do the five phases of the program
entail?

The Mercer County House of Hope is a faith-based program consisting of five phases. The residents move through each phase by being compliant with the guidelines and growing through the program.

Each phase has different requirements and different privileges. Some of these include getting a job, planning a budget, paying off court and attorney fees, opening a savings account, setting up appointments and developing a workable exit plan.

Resident

If you are facing any of the following, consider applying to the Mercer County House of Hope.

Before or during the beginning phases of the program, residents may be feeling or facing the following:
• Confusion, Fear and Shame
• Not Knowing How to Live Clean & Sober
• Having No Physical Support Group to Encourage & to Walk Them Through Their Recovery Journey
• Not Having Basic Needs to Live Independently
• Never Having Had an Opportunity to Know Jesus Christ

Can I see my children?

Absolutely, as long as there are no restrictions placed on visitation by the court. If there are restrictions, we help you see your children within these guidelines.

Can I keep my cell phone?

In most cases, residents keep their cell phones. The House Manager and Executive Director have the right to remove phone privileges if it becomes a problem.

The Mercer County House of Hope runs best, and residents get healthy/sober with guidelines and policies that give boundaries. Those boundaries become less restrictive as behaviors change and are adaptive on a case-by-case basis.

Do I find my own job or what if I have an
existing job?

We walk alongside you while you search for a job after the first 30 days of being a resident. If you already have a job, in most cases, you can keep it.

Join the House of Hope Team!

We are currently hiring an Executive Director! To apply, please email your resume and letter of intent to Luke Vantilburg.

4 Easy Ways to

Take Your First Step Toward a Sober Life.