The Recovery Times

House of Hope Quarterly Newsletter

Meet Our Financial Literacy Coach Rick Zwelling!!!

House of Hope contracted with Rick Zwelling and his firm Right Path Financial Coaching in 2019 when we launched our financial literacy program. Rick has greatly impacted and enriched the lives of the clients we serve. Our financial literacy program offers classes to our clients in long-term treatment and also offers one-on-one financial counseling to the residents of our recovery housing program.

The disease of addiction destroys everything: a person’s physical health, mental health, their relationships, families, careers, their finances, and some pay the ultimate price and lose their lives. Financial literacy is a important component to someone in early recovery to help mitigate the stress that can help fuel a person's relapse.

For individuals currently in treatment, Rick facilitates a monthly class where he presents lessons on creating a budget, predatory lending practices to avoid, dealing with debt and how to begin building good credit, to name a few. The individual coaching sessions offer more detailed and personalized financial advice to residents that enhances their road to recovery and eliminate the stress caused by financial instability.

The outcomes of House of Hope's financial literacy program have been tremendous. When our residents leave our recovery housing program (average length of stay is 18 months - 2 years) they now have an average of $3000 in savings, little to no debt, purchased a vehicle and have a working budget as they transition to independent living.

(Pictured above- Rick Zwelling, presenting at the Ohio Recovery Housing Conference 2023)

Adventure Therapy at Camp Mary Orton

We take our clients in long-term residential treatment to Camp Mary Orton for Adventure therapy, because of its powerful impact on enhancing their path to recovery.

Clients attend camp for a total of five sessions. The first three are day excursions that include pamper pole, climbing wall, and zip lining. The fourth experience is an over night camping expedition that includes hiking, a 12-Step camp fire meeting and a cookout. Lastly, Camp Mary Orton comes a week later to process their experience and frame it in terms of life skills and recovery.



Franklin County Probation Department Toured our Long-Term Treatment/Recovery Residences Programs

Franklin County Probation Department has been visiting our campus recently for tours and information regarding the successful outcomes of our treatment programs.

It is a great chance for House of Hope and the Franklin County Court to connect and speak about the current needs of the community regarding substance abuse disorder and provide awareness of what services House of Hope provides to the residents of Franklin County.

Working as a team to better serve our community is the House of Hope standard and we always look forward to having members of the community visit to hear about the impact our treatment programs have on the clients that we serve.

If you would like to visit, please reach out to Heath McCall at (614) 291-4691 ext. 503 to schedule a tour of our residential treatment programs and House of Hope's recovery residences

Meet Tony Long the New Program Coordinator at Outpatient

Tony joined House of Hope in 2022 as Case Manager for Outpatient Services but quickly showed he was capable of much more. With a take charge attitude and exceptional team-work skills, Tony quickly showed that he was the perfect person for the role of Outpatient Program Coordinator.

Originally from southeastern Ohio, Tony was raised in a family impacted by addiction. After much self-discovery, Tony realized his true calling was to work in the SUD field and share his experience, strength and hope with those seeking a life in recovery. In 2020, he was offered a position as a van driver at a behavioral health facility. During that time, he obtained his CDCA and enrolled in college. Tony was quickly promoted at the agency and worked his way into other positions.

Later, he had heard about House of Hope and the support offered to their clients. “I have never been somewhere that fosters growth among its employees the way this place has, while also supporting the clients. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to help others while being supported as I progress into my future.” -Tony Long

Tony is a person in long-term recovery.

Newest Members of House of Hope's Board of Directors

We are excited to introduce our newest additions to our dedicate Board of Directors:

• Jim Vutech, was a partner in his marketing/design firm with, a Columbus based marketing and branding firm. He's now involved with commercial real estate as an agent with Vutech-Ruff Cutler Real Estate.
• Dr. Brad Lander is a Clinical Psychologist and Licensed Independent Chemical Dependency Counselor who has worked in Columbus since 1979 in a variety of Chemical Dependency and Mental Health Positions.
• Michael Krause serves as the Executive Director of Ohio Peer Recovery Organizations (OhioPRO). He has a personal passion for recovery because he, too, is a person with a lived experience and is in long-term recovery.
• Doyle Rausch is the Chief Facilities Officer of Vorys, an Am Law 200 firm that provides strategic business and legal counsel to businesses, including multiple Fortune 500 companies, throughout the U.S. and around the world.
• Marci Ryan has worked in the non-profit sector for 25+ years. Currently, she is the Assistant Vice President of Programs at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio.
• Steve McFarland is currently both the owner of a produce brokerage called Batata Doce, and is also the VP of Sales for a larger produce company called Market Brothers.

(Pictured above left to right- Jim Vutech, Steve McFarland, Dr. Brad Lander, Marci Ryan, Doyle Rausch, Michael Krause)

64th Anniversary Picnic

We couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather to celebrate 64 years of service in our community. It was fantastic to see and catch up with old friends while meeting so many more. The food was terrific, and it was amazing to see so many people come out and celebrate with us.

Of course, none of this would be possible without the tremendous love and support we receive from all of you.

VIDEO: Slideshow from this year's picnic.