According to Trapp, each program participant is provided “with a clean and healthy living environment, good food, work therapy, leisure time activities, group and individual coaching, spiritual direction, and resources to develop life skills and a personal relationship with God as provided by Jesus Christ.
FIND OUT what’s happening to this iconic Dayton church.
“For all the negative stories you hear about drug addiction, here is a positive story about recovery that’s taking place in one of the worst areas for this drug epidemic,” says Trapp.
He says it’s hoped that with physical and spiritual help, participants will be prepared to re-enter society and find gainful employment. “Many of those who have been rehabilitated are reunited with their families and resume a normal life,” says Trapp. ” Since we do not solicit government funding for this program, the Life Recovery program is made possible through the generosity of those local businesses, churches and individuals who donate goods that can be sold in our family thrift stores.”
At the moment, the organization is housing 22 clients. Twelve of those are participating in the Life Recovery Program and the other 10 have jobs.
“We doubled our house ownership in 2015 and since then have tripled in size, and we are now raising funds for a fourth house,” says Trapp. “We receive over 300 referrals a year from Woodhaven, Nova House and Access treatment centers.”
The group offers services for cash or check donations. Clients do jobs ranging from cleaning out garages and basements to landscaping, tree work, carpentry, and remodeling and painting. They can also recycle scrap and appliances. “We have highly skilled clients in all these fields and it helps them build self-worth and character,” says Trapp, who will come out to give you a bid on a job.
Here’s what the thrift shop can use:
- Beds
- Furniture
- Antiques
- Kitchen items
- Art
- Working electronics
- Gift cards from stores such as Lowes, Home Depot, Menards.
“We can pick up donations big or small and provide tax writ- offs with donations,” says Trapp. You can also drop off items at the thrift shop from 11 .m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and on alternate Saturdays. Adventure Thrift Stores are located at 1115 E. Third St. in Dayton. The organization is also at the 3rd on 3rd Market every third Sunday during the spring and summer.
“There is something special happening on the east side of Dayton — miracles are happening every day, saving lives. It is great to witness God’s work, taking back lives and cleaning up the neighborhood,” says house manager and recovering addict Jerry Bemmes.
For more information, check out www.thegsm.net or call Shawn Trapp at (513) 816-8089 or the ministry office at (937) 938-5781.
Each week Meredith Moss profiled a non-profit organization in our community and its specific needs. If you have a wish list you would like to have included, contact Meredith: MMoss@coxohio.com
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