Recovery program sees first graduate

Outside Thermopolis is the Set Free Church's recovery program, offering help for those who have fallen as the result of drugs and/or alcohol.

Karen Robbins of the church/ministry explained there are people who come who are not addicted; they are simply interested in serving and helping those who have addictions. Of course, she noted there are people that attend who have addictions.

The recovery program is faith-based and a year long. Robbins said there is a men's house and a women's house. "There is no magic number," she said, for determining a year in a program, but they have learned in observing and talking with those involved in other programs that 30, 90 or even 120 days might not be enough. "We just feel that if we can at least minister to these people spiritually for a year, at least that gives them some time to grow and to have some strength to go back out to the real world without relapsing."

The yearlong program had its first graduate, Nick Hoyt, in November. Robbins said Hoyt was there for help with a 30-year drug and alcohol addiction.

Among those helping with the program are Glenn Witt, who graduated a couple years ago from a similar recovery program in California, and volunteer Cindy Matney, who has helped with such programs. Witt serves as a director over the program, while Matney is the women's coordinator.

Of course, she realizes they can't help everyone, but they feel like, as Christian people, they are called to be God's servants and if they can just help a few it's worth it. They have had as many as four women and four men in the program, but can take more. Robbins said if they need more room they believe God will provide them with more facilities. Robbins and her husband, Frank, also do spiritual counseling - the basis of which is the Bible - to help people get over what might have led them to their addictions.

"We know we don't have the power to help these people. The power comes from God, and him alone, to help them," Robbins said.

The program is open to anyone and everyone, Robbins said, adding that it is important for the people who come to the program to actually want help. "All we ask is they commit for a year." Though some might choose to leave before that time is up, she said, they can't be forced to stay and they leave on good terms.

The church finances the program, and participants don't pay to be in it. However, they are responsible for things such as keeping their houses clean, working at the ranch, helping clean the church and doing their own cooking, though the church provides the food. This goes to part of the recovery process, to help them return to being responsible citizens. As people heal, Robbins said, they are allowed to also work jobs in town.

Participants are also required to attend church services on Sundays, recovery meetings at the church on Mondays, prayer meetings on Wednesdays, and praise and worship times on Fridays.

The church also works closely with the court system, to ensure those in the program with fines are paying them. They are also taken for court appearances, meetings with their lawyers, or wherever they might need to go to fulfill their responsibilities.

Those in the program now, Robbins said, are doing well and are thankful for the opportunity offered them "to get their lives right with the Lord. Once they get there, they can handle the hardships in life much better."