Big Plans for Vineyard House Include a New Central Campus

By ALEXIS TONTI

The directors of Vineyard House Inc., the only Island program that offers housing to people in the early stages of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction, are now moving forward with a plan to purchase land and build a central campus for the organization with increased capacity for residents.

Vineyard House currently runs safe and sober houses at three locations in addition to renting office space in downtown Tisbury. The idea for a campus-like facility comes in part from the program's drive to cut operating expenses. But more importantly, it will allow them to meet a broader range of needs, including those of parents with children in their custody.

Program directors envision that a roughly 2.5-acre complex would have ample room for office space, separate men's and women's residences, apartments for the respective house managers and a smaller cottage to be used by residents' family members making short-term visits.

They are looking at land in Vineyard Haven and hope to submit a proposal to the Martha's Vineyard Commission (MVC) for review as a development of regional impact in the next month.

"We really want everyone who needs it to have a safe place to live - to be able to then go out and have a job, make new contacts, visit family and friends and learn a new way of living. It is about helping them make that transition from detox to clean and sober living," said Vineyard House executive director Sandra Demel.

"This is going to be an unbelievable project, and it is so important that we do this," said Carol McManus, president of the Vineyard House board of directors. "Everyone is in some way affected by alcoholism or drug addiction, be it something they struggle with or a family member or a friend. Everyone is touched, and by changing one person's life you change everyone's lives around them."

Vineyard House opened the doors of its first house in 1997, and now operates two homes for men and one for women - with a total bed capacity of 24. Admission is limited to Island residents, who are permitted to stay as long as 18 months, with a recommended minimum stay of one year.

Since its inception, 63 Islanders have left Vineyard House clean and sober, and more than 100 others have spent some period of time there. "Even people who stay for less than the recommended time are still changed and influenced by what they experienced, and they bring word of those experiences to others," said Ms. Demel.

Vineyard House adheres to the tenets of 12-step recovery programs, and residents are required to attend daily meetings, enroll in life skills classes and find a sponsor. Islanders staying there also must find employment or spend the equivalent time during the week as a volunteer.

"It is about getting that extra support - which is not treatment, but which is helping residents get the skills to help them negotiate successfully in a sober world," said Ms. Demel.

Shifting the residences to a single complex would decrease expenses on a number of fronts. Right now maintenance and insurance costs are high, especially for the men's homes, which are in an area subject to high winds and coastal flooding. It also would eliminate the need to rent additional office space.

But most importantly, constructing a new facility would allow Vineyard House to craft a more inclusive program, capable of meeting the varying needs of a greater number of Island residents.

The proposal envisions a men's residence with 10 double rooms and five singles. It also would include the Vineyard House business office and a large meeting space. The women's residence would have four singles, three doubles and two units for mothers with infants or small children. A separate cottage would have two units for parents to stay during overnight visits with children or other visiting family. There would be handicapped-accessible rooms in both residences.

"We've known for a long time this was something we wanted to plan for," said Sandy Broyard, head of the screening committee and a board member.

"We have had the experience, particularly with women who have been the sole caretakers of their children, that they have not been able to move in or not been able to stay very long because of their need to be with their children and not having consistent alternatives for child care," Ms. Broyard said, adding:

"We also have had the experience of men who are divorced and who have partial custody, which is why we will have facilities in a separate small building for parents - fathers or mothers - to have children come and spend an overnight."

Ms. Demel spoke to the need to increase the program's capacity.

"We have been frustrated. We have a waiting list much of the time, particularly for men. And because it is a long-term program, turnover is slow," she said.

"We let people come to all of the meetings while they are on the wait list, but it is difficult to make it that way, without the bed. It is terrible to have to turn people down, because that might be the one chance you have to make a difference," she said.

Ms. McManus, who started her tenure as board president earlier this month, said her primary goal is to raise money for the project, although there is not yet an estimated cost of construction.

The organization's two summer fundraisers, the dinner at Atria and the water tasting event, are generally enough to cover annual expenses - this year they raised about $62,000 - but they do not offer much by way of a cushion.

Ms. Demel said they plan to sell the three homes currently in use. In addition, to help ease the cost of construction, they are looking to apply for a federal grant.

She concluded: "We have done a whole lot in just over seven years, and this is an incredible step we are taking now. It will be really good for the Island."