Upper Room Recovery Center begins renovation on women's transitional housing

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A local organization is one step closer to providing transitional housing and counseling services to women in Michiana suffering from addiction.

Upper Room Recovery Center say there’s a huge need for transitional housing for women in recovery in our area. The center hopes this house can help that need.  

In April, ABC57 first reported that Upper Room bought a house on N. Main Street. Dozens of volunteers renovated the house on Saturday. 

The house will provide transitional housing and counseling services for 12 women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Eventually, it will house 16 women. Upper Room expects the house to open in eight to 10 weeks. 

According to Upper Room, most of the transitional housing in Michiana is open only to men. There’s really no reason why that is. However, transitional housing provides a stable, sober, and safe environment. Upper Room explains by removing the addict from the environment that often created the addiction, an addict has a higher chance of long-term recovery, so, it’s important to make sure women get chance too. 

“So, more time until they become stronger physically, spiritually, emotionally and until they can really get back on their feet, find jobs, get their life back on track,” said Upper Room Recovery Center assistant director Linda Jung-Zimmerman.  

“It allows them to have the housing, and be able to go out and get the services as well as employment and you know, just be productive in the environment," said Upper Room Recovery Center case manager Lisa Steward.