Local thrift store helps addicts overcome
Katie Freeman
Issue date: 2/14/08 Section: News
On any given weekend during the school year, a college town like Jacksonville is home to a number of parties.
Chances are, alcohol is available, and more than likely, the average student has joined in on the drinking at least once. Some people have even done things that are a little more illegal, but it's all chalked up to the normal "college experience," and most move on with no problem.
However, some people can't move on. For those folks, that party is not a good time — it is a nightmare.
The bad news is that drug and alcohol abuse affects people all around us. The good news is that there is a way out. That way out can be paved in part by the people at the Center of Hope.
The Center of Hope is a Christian recovery center. The center's church, main office and housing facilities are located in Anniston, Ala. However, it is probably more known by students as the thrift store located in the old Wal-Mart building here in Jacksonville.
Pastor Garry Burns is the head pastor at the center. He, as well as the entire staff, shares a special bond with every person that comes in seeking help. Every staff member there (including pastors) has struggled with drug or alcohol abuse at some point in their lives.
The program at the center lasts a year. Burns explained that the reason for the program's lengthiness is that it can take at least that long for people to straighten their lives out.
"It took a while for them to get their lives in that mess, and they should take the proper time to get out," Burns said. "We don't want them walking out those doors feeling like the weight of the world is falling on their shoulders. They should be able to only look ahead when they leave here."
For the people who complete the entire year, graduation ceremonies are held every two months.
James and Russell (who asked that their last names be kept anonymous) are the most recent graduates. James says that he has gotten very close to his family since being at the center, and Russell is actually the newest member of the Center of Hope staff. He is now a counselor, and he hopes to help people the way he was helped.
Chances are, alcohol is available, and more than likely, the average student has joined in on the drinking at least once. Some people have even done things that are a little more illegal, but it's all chalked up to the normal "college experience," and most move on with no problem.
However, some people can't move on. For those folks, that party is not a good time — it is a nightmare.
The bad news is that drug and alcohol abuse affects people all around us. The good news is that there is a way out. That way out can be paved in part by the people at the Center of Hope.
The Center of Hope is a Christian recovery center. The center's church, main office and housing facilities are located in Anniston, Ala. However, it is probably more known by students as the thrift store located in the old Wal-Mart building here in Jacksonville.
Pastor Garry Burns is the head pastor at the center. He, as well as the entire staff, shares a special bond with every person that comes in seeking help. Every staff member there (including pastors) has struggled with drug or alcohol abuse at some point in their lives.
The program at the center lasts a year. Burns explained that the reason for the program's lengthiness is that it can take at least that long for people to straighten their lives out.
"It took a while for them to get their lives in that mess, and they should take the proper time to get out," Burns said. "We don't want them walking out those doors feeling like the weight of the world is falling on their shoulders. They should be able to only look ahead when they leave here."
For the people who complete the entire year, graduation ceremonies are held every two months.
James and Russell (who asked that their last names be kept anonymous) are the most recent graduates. James says that he has gotten very close to his family since being at the center, and Russell is actually the newest member of the Center of Hope staff. He is now a counselor, and he hopes to help people the way he was helped.
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