In its 54-year history, the Kanawha Valley Fellowship Home (KVFH) in Charleston, West Virginia, has helped more than 2,000 men recover from alcohol and substance use disorder through an abstinence-based, residential treatment program. KVFH provides a secure environment in which residents can begin a new life by breaking destructive patterns of behavior associated with alcoholism and addiction. The organization consists of a main house with 15 individual bedrooms, six intermediate care apartments, and several after-care apartments.
Participants build independent living skills and form positive habits in a structured environment that allows them to transition back into the community as productive citizens. Residents are required to attend outside recovery meetings, weekly “Recovery Steps” meetings, and weekly group sessions with a certified addiction counselor. They are also required to work a minimum of 35 hours a week and are encouraged to continue with formal education.
The Pallottine Foundation of Huntington has awarded KVFH several grants in support of the organization’s mission to help men overcome addiction and rebuild their lives.
Healthy Meals
Residents at KVFH receive healthy, home-cooked meals to foster proper nutrition and provide time for fellowship and education. KVFH received a Spring 2021 Healthy Communities grant from the Pallottine Foundation that provides the 30 men in recovery with five hot meals each week for a period of six months.
Counseling and Testing Supplies
Counseling and support services play an important role in long-term recovery from addiction. Using funds from a Fall 2020 Healthy Communities grant, KVFH contracted with a certified addiction counselor to provide weekly group therapy sessions to residents. As a result, 58 men received counseling for a total of 940 sessions. Funds were also used to purchase testing supplies to conduct mandatory random drug screenings among residents.
Technology Upgrades
KVFH also received two Capacity Building grants to fund improvements in technology and communication. The organization’s 2019 grant provided for an administrative laptop, secure router, staff training, and professionally managed information technology services. The 2020 Capacity Building grant funded a full website buildout, including hosting, site maintenance, and staff training. The improvements allowed for a mobile-friendly site, increased site security, and a platform that could be easily updated by staff. A new online application also helped KVFH continue taking referrals during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For more information about the Kanawha Valley Fellowship home, visit www.kvfh.org.