Fellowship House Recovery Services is more than just a resource. A United Way of Central Alabama partner agency, Fellowship House provides a substance abuse recovery program designed to meet the unique needs of individuals suffering from substance use and co-occurring disorders. Established in 1965, Fellowship House aids in the personal, social and vocational adjustment necessary for the maintenance of a sober and productive life. “There is nothing more powerful than watching someone realize that their story is not over,” said Executive Director Elizabeth Norman.
Outpatient Services Provide Hope for the Future
Recognizing a gap in services, Fellowship House expanded into Walker County to ensure individuals and families have access to comprehensive substance use and mental health treatment close to home. Since the expansion, the community has seen a reduction in overdose incidents, increased treatment admissions and higher rates of treatment engagement and retention. Fellowship House’s Level 1 Outpatient Program provides individual and group counseling, case management services, treatment planning, peer support services and basic living skills to ensure a holistic approach to recovery. Through the outpatient program in Jasper, Fellowship House is also able to establish individuals with physicians that can provide Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT). MAT is the combination of behavioral therapies and counseling with medications proven to treat opioid and alcohol use disorders. While engaged in MAT services, clients have ongoing shared decision making where the clinical team and client openly discuss progress and what is best for continued recovery.
Fellowship House’s newest location in the Walker County Jail is referred to as the CART (Comprehensive Accountability, Recovery and Treatment) program. The CART program offers Level 1 services within the Walker County Jail for inmates struggling with Opioid Use Disorder who would benefit from MAT. The program provides integrative treatment services to individuals within the jail to reduce withdrawal potential and repeat offenses.
Every individual on the CART program receives individual and group counseling, peer and case management services, treatment planning and pharmacological interventions. Once released, individuals are seamlessly transferred to the Jasper Outpatient location for continued treatment. By supporting individuals during this critical period, the program lessens the burden on healthcare, criminal justice, and social service systems while improving participants’ opportunities for long-term success, stability,
and recovery. Executive Director Elizabeth Norman points out that addiction does not discriminate. “It can impact any one of us,” she said, “regardless of socioeconomic status, profession or background.”
A Full-Circle Approach to Recovery
Another Fellowship House program, She Recovers, is supported by a dedicated group of advocates and providers serving women in Walker County and adjacent communities. She Recovers offers pregnant mothers and parenting mothers struggling with substance use a one-stop for prenatal care, substance use treatment, medication, parenting support, counseling and peer recovery support. It also connects women to resources for food, clothing, healthcare and legal issues. Co-located at Walker Women’s Specialist, Fellowship House staff connect women to resources such as food, clothing, healthcare and legal assistance during and after pregnancy. All services remain completely confidential.
Describing a client who came to Fellowship House after being incarcerated, losing custody of her sons and learning she was pregnant, Executive Director Elizabeth Norman shared how She Recovers helped the client begin rebuilding her life. “With the support of our case managers, counselors and peer support specialists, she tackled every obstacle standing between her and her children all while maintaining sobriety,” Norman said. Securing stable housing, gaining employment and engaging in counseling led this client to regain custody of all of her children and begin to rebuild a stable home for her family.
When women enter the She Recovers program, they often carry fears with them. “They fear judgment, shame and the potential of losing custody of their children because of a disease,” said Norman. Fellowship House provides compassion, accountability and support without condemnation. By addressing the unique behavioral health needs of Walker County residents and providing accessible, evidence-based substance use and mental health services, Fellowship House supports long-term recovery and community well-being. According to Norman, “We help our clients to imagine futures that they never thought were possible.”
To learn more about how United Way of Central Alabama supports Walker County, click here.