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“The old life has gone and the new life has begun” |
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History of Recovery House |
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Everyone Deserves a Second Chance |
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The history of Recovery House of Central Florida, Inc. (RHCF) begins with John Hagan its President and Founder who had a desire to work with alcoholics and addicts. In 1986 John began helping men through his work in the Jail Reentry Program at The Grove Counseling Center in Sanford.
The evolution of the RHCF program began as John would help men that were released from jail and had nowhere to go and had no resources available. He would help them find employment and affordable sober living housing.
Over the years Morris Kelly, the Director of the Grove was a significant influence as John’s mentor. SaraTrollinger, the President and Founder of House of Hope, who has also been a great influence in John’s life, began to minister John. In 1995 John earned a Certification as a Criminal Justice Addictions Professional with the Florida Certification Board.
In January of 1997 John’s father died suddenly. While John was in his father’s New York apartment settling his father’s affairs God openly revealed him self to John. At this point John became a believer. This radically changed his perspective on his life and what he was doing. Upon returning to Florida this new perspective also shifted his approach to the RHCF program from a secular twelve-step program to a faith based, twelve-step program.
In May of 1997 the former location of the Grove Counseling Center at 591 Lake Minnie Drive became available and was for sale. John and the men of the program prayed earnestly over the property, as he knew in his heart, this is the future site of the RHCF program. In late May, their prayers were answered as Sara helped John to acquire 591 Lake Minnie Drive as the new home for RHCF.
With the help of Dr. Robert Tango and Dr. Brian Turkington and their faithful dedication, a sound clinical curriculum was developed. The tireless efforts of numerous volunteers have allowed RHCF to provide a high level of services. The one-year program takes a broken man and helps him to find his purpose. Through donations of goods and services RHCF provides shoes, clothing, hair cuts, identification cards, dental care, eye glasses, greatly reduced health care, and some free medications.
Over the years RHCF has helped thousands of men as one of the primary providers of emergency shelter, transitional housing, and recovery support services in Seminole County. .
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John Hagan,BSW, CCJAP President / Founder |