News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
UCDD has opened its first transition home for women and children, with the ribbon-cutting in Smithville.
UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said the home will help women in the Smithville community who are recovering from substance abuse. The transition home is located on Wade Street just off Hwy 70. Farley said the home was implemented because women spend extensive time in recovery and once they complete a program they often face the struggle of finding a place to live.
“They no longer have a housing option or someplace where they can go to,” Farley said. “They just may not be on their feet and their finances in a firm enough shape to do a traditional lease and to secure housing on their own.”
Farley said the home can house up to eight ladies and allow them to stay for two years so they can get their feet underneath them financially. Farley said the transition home will be a great asset to the Smithville community.
“We do have some great faith-based partners across the region that have offered this option in certain communities but it’s not in every community,” Farley said. “One of the things we want to do is make sure that it is operating safely that it’s serving its purpose and that it’s being maintained.”
Farley said they are working on a facility in South Carthage for men to provide further assistance to the area.
“We are working with both of those communities trying to see if they can work together,” Farley said. “So if a gentleman in Smithville needs long-term recovery we can take them to South Carthage and vice versa so we are trying to have a working model where multiple communities are working together to meet this need.”
Farley said they have a few ladies already in the transition home with many more referrals to evaluate. Farley said the UCDD is excited moving forward to see how much they can help those recovering in the Smithville Community.
