Public-Private Partnership to Help Those Suffering from Addiction to Open Mid-Summer
In light of Michigan’s growing opioid addiction crisis, Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana CEO Goran Jurkovic joined with Cinnaire CEO Mark McDaniel, recovery advocate Mike Hirst and Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey to announce a $150,000 investment in support of Andy’s Place, the first of several permanent supportive recovery housing projects planned in Michigan to address recovery holistically.
“Delta Dental recognizes that tackling the national opioid crisis will require ongoing collaboration across the dental, medical, law enforcement and education communities, as well as direct care providers for those struggling with addiction,” said Jurkovic. “We are proud to be part of a strong coalition working to prevent these tragedies from happening in the first place and to provide a solid network for those battling addiction.”
In addition to the financial support from Delta Dental of Michigan, Andy’s Place and the Michigan Permanent Recovery Supportive Housing (PRSH) initiative is supported by is a collaboration between Cinnaire, the Michigan Governor’s office, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), and the Michigan Treatment Courts.
“Michigan is the is the second highest state for opioid addiction in the country,” said Mark McDaniel, CEO of Cinnaire. “We know the costs of the opioid epidemic are extreme, contributing to both social and economic burdens nationally. Not only are families suffering from the loss of loved ones, individual taxpayers, health care systems and local municipalities are forced to bear the financial burden caused by the epidemic. With public and private resources, like funding from Delta Dental of Michigan, we can create affordable housing communities that not only allow those suffering to recover, but provide supportive services, job training and reunification with families.”
Andy’s Place is the first of several permanent supportive recovery housing projects planned in Michigan to address recovery holistically. It will offer 39 one-bedroom apartments for individuals referred by the courts along with a separate building with 11, two-bedroom apartments to house families with 24-hour security. Research has shown that a key component to successful recovery is the restoring of families and the program provides the opportunity to keep families together in a safe environment. Rent will be based on income, and individuals without an income will not have to pay.
“The mission of Andy’s Place is extremely personal to me,” said Mike Hirst, who founded the nonprofit organization Andy’s Angels, the inspiration for Andy’s Place, after losing his son to an opioid overdose in 2010. “Programs like the one we are building here at Andy’s Place are the best chance to get our loved ones back on track so that hopefully one day other families will not have to experience the heartbreak that mine – and so many others – know all too well.”
The Community Action Agency of Jackson will provide job training and employment services through collaboration with local businesses.
“A safe living environment, treatment plan and support services on site increases the success of maintaining sobriety,” said Toby Berry, CEO of the Jackson-based Community Action Agency. “Community Action Agency encourages residents to move beyond immediate need to what the future can be. Using goal setting, basic banking and credit awareness with someone in recovery increases success in continuing sobriety.”
Cinnaire recently launched a video highlighting the origin story of Andy’s Place and the need within the Jackson community for this type of program.
Scheduled for a mid-summer opening, Andy’s Place differs from the sober halfway house model by providing full apartments that allow for families to remain intact, annual leases and no limitations on length of stay. The facility will also include social services offices, meeting rooms for group therapy and AA/NA meetings, computer rooms, and community lounge, dining and meeting spaces. Community Action Agency will provide professional oversight of support services to support the Treatment Court service model.
