This fall, we’re celebrating 20 years of recovery at Meredith Hart House! Founded in 2001 and located in St. Paul, Hart House serves women, nonbinary and transgender individuals.
Hart House is a unique program, often referred to as a “sisterhood” by residents and alumni. Several residents have returned to become staff and many others volunteer leading AA and NA meetings or in other ways.
Amanda is a Women’s Advocate at Hart House but she started her time at the program as a resident. Below is her story.
Amanda started her journey with Missions Inc. Programs when she was a resident at Hart House. She was tired of being homeless and started on her path to recovery and sobriety.
During her year as a resident at Hart House, Amanda was able to reunify with her son and he was able to stay with her at Hart House over the weekends. She got a job and started to improve her life.
Amanda stayed in touch when she moved out and eventually got a job at a treatment center where referred people to Hart House. The Hart House Program Manager called her and asked her if she wanted to be a Women’s Advocate and Amanda said yes!
When asked what makes Hart House unique, Amanda said, “here, nobody is lost.”
She’s been working at Missions Inc. for three years now. Her door is always open and residents trust her to help them in their recovery journeys. She is the first person people meet with when they move in, she helps find new resources for residents, is an ear to listen to, helps set goals and creates new groups like mediation or arts and crafts groups.
“This is my safe spot,” says Amanda. The sisterhood of Hart House that helped her find recovery when she was resident, continues to help her stay on that path.
