By Charlotte Fontaine
NASHVILLE, TN — The Next Door Recovery is a self-described “Safe Treatment Facility forWomen,” dedicated to helping women struggling with addition and empowering them for lifetime recovery.
The Next Door Recovery celebrates its 20th anniversary and is continuing its mission of providing expert care for substance abuse and other disorders in a faith-based setting. The organization offers a variety of programs and services designed to meet each woman’s unique set of needs.
“A prayer group of women from National First Baptist were trying to figure out what to do with this vacant space in downtown,” said Molly Smalley, The Next Door Recovery’s director of development.
“At the time the need was for women who were coming out of incarceration, giving them life skills, business development; all the things to help them get back on their feet. But, at the same time, they were doing treatment services because, it’s easy to get drugs in jail.”
In 2011 both concepts merged in its current facility in Nashville, which was a former parking lot and is now home to 44,000 square feet operating 79 beds but are staffed to hold 60 clients. Recently, the center was awarded an Opioid Abatement grant – one of only 117 organizations receiving funds. Smalley said, “This will go towards food, staffing, outpatient programming; everything.”
The Next Door Recovery offers same-day admission as well as patients can call ahead prior to coming in. The “peer” aspect of the center consists of former patients who have been through addiction and decided to come back and help new patients going through the program.
The center does its best to be a welcoming and bright temporary home for the women who come in, and includes a dog-friendly space, provides hot meals for patients each day, and a wall decorated with art by former patients displaying positive affirmations.
“We want people to feel nourished on top of what they are going through, whether it’s detox or just coming in,” said Haley Bulvin, marketing and communications director.
“I do what I do supporting underserved communities, to pay it forward with the life I have, and it brings me joy to provide opportunities to others,” Smalley said.
The center encourages Nashvillians to support The Next Door Recovery with needed donations, such as gently used t-shirts, leggings, sweatpants, sweatshirts, new underwear and socks. They also hold toiletry drives as well as accept monetary donations. The Next Door Recovery may begin at a woman’s worst moment, but the staff and environment are fully dedicated to changing lives for the better. If you or someone you know is struggling, you can visit their website at thenextdoorrecovery.org.
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