SLIDESHOW: Serenity House drug and alcohol treatment facility open house
OGDEN -- After several years of renovating an old church to fit the standards of a rehabilitation center, Serenity House has now officially opened its doors at its new location, 2740 Pennsylvania Ave.
"It's really exciting," said program director Jared Sanford. "It's been a long process, but we've had very generous donors involved here, and the capacity to serve more people is just great."
While 21 residents have been living in the facility since the beginning of the year, the center held a ribbon-cutting and open house for the public Friday.
Tours were given of the facility, which has almost doubled the number of residents it can house.
"This is a vital need for the community," said Mayor Matthew Godfrey.
"Having the ability to expand the beds almost double for the community is a big deal, so we are very grateful. I think this new facility will be fantastic."
The building, which was bought from St. Mary's Catholic Church, will be able to accommodate 35 to 40 clients. The chapel area has become a large family area, which provides a gathering place and game room for residents.
The lower level of the church was already equipped with a large space and a kitchen, so it became the dining hall.
The eight-bedroom rectory is now being used as offices and dormitories for female residents.
The rooms in the education building became men's bedrooms and meeting rooms for the residents, as well as for Alcoholics Anonymous and other outpatient programs.
Valerie Fritz, president and CEO for House of Hope, the foundation that includes Serenity House, said several parts of the building had to be renovated to make it livable for patients.
Most individuals who come to the center are being treated for substance abuse -- 59 percent for alcohol, 18 percent for methamphetamine and 9 percent for heroin.
Seven percent are there because of a prescription drug addiction, while 6 percent are reliant on marijuana and 1 percent are addicted to cocaine.
Most come from Wyoming and Weber County.
The facility offers residential, day treatment and outpatient substance-abuse services to men and women.
Fritz said Serenity House is accepting donations to help pay for further renovations.
"We have to raise $80,000 to get the match grant from the Eccles Foundation to finish building renovations," she said.
"Any money that we get otherwise, we use for unfunded clients."
She said they also accept donations of food, office supplies and clothing for the residents.
The former Serenity House on Historic 25th Street is now used as a sober-living home, Sanford said.
"When individuals finish treatment, they go there and work to transition back to the community," he said.
"We find that is a real need in Northern Utah, and we are really excited to offer that."
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