Three women are beginning their new lives at the newly debuted “Wings of Hope” Recovery Home. Inside the home, these women will live alongside each other and support each other during the transition of their recovery journey to a better life. “Our goal is to reach people where they are, extend a helping hand and share the love of Christ in their life,” said Jeff Youman of Brighter Days Ministry, who was a leader behind the project. “This project has been worked on by people as young as eight years old to as old as 80 years old. As we painted one day, I said, “Paint with imperfection.” Everything was done with imperfections because it was done by imperfect people created by a perfect, loving savior that gives us hope for a new day.”
The home is located at 327 Allen Memorial Dr. and has been an ongoing project for Brighter Days Ministry since August. The ministry stated that over 160 volunteers, including nine churches and all local schools, had completed the first cleaning of the donated property and since then, repairs, furnishing, and more have been completed to make the home comfortable and livable.
“This home has been a need of the program since it began over a decade ago,” said Allison Hughes, community outreach liaison with the Ocmulgee Adult Treatment Court Collaborative.
“The one missing piece we always came back to in the program was stable housing,” added Ocmulgee Superior Court Judge Alison Burleson.
“When people are first getting into recovery, they need to break away from old places, friends, and sometimes family. Affordable housing and housing options can be limited so this is essential for their next steps.”
Kayleigh Courson, Heather Schneider, and Sonia Williams are the first women who will be living in the transitional home. Though their term of stay will depend on their individual situations, the goal is for women to use the home as a transitional safe space for six months before finding stable housing.
“Up to five women can stay at the home at a time,” said Hughes. “Everyone in the program participates in treatment groups, community support meetings, work with a case manager and sometimes a substance abuse counselor, and meet in front of the judge twice a month.
Usually the program lasts 22-24 months, but it is based on an individual case.”
Youman stated in a 13WMAZ tour of the home that the first three months are free, paid by local drug courts and the next three months cost $375 a month.
“I got into the Ocumulgee Drug Court in April of this year under Judge Burleson. She’s an amazing woman. Since I’ve joined the program, I’ve gotten my license, a car, and a job at Natalie’s Board and Grooming,” said Courson. “Where I was living was a really bad spot for me. I couldn't be there anymore. The person I was living with was doing drugs and it was getting me in trouble. This home helped save me from that environment.”
Courson was addicted to benzos, opiates, and methamphetamine. Her addiction began during the recovery of surgery for her scoliosis and osteoarthritis. She has been in recovery since August 2024, after being locked up at the Baldwin County Jail. She served for seven months.
“I’ve been in jail for my addiction at least 10 to 12 times in Baldwin and surrounding counties.
This time is different because I have hope,” said Courson. “A lot of people who don't have addictions see it almost one way. You can't understand unless you have been in my shoes, but I don't want anyone to have to be in my shoes to know how it feels. Drug court's a blessing because some of these people have never had or battled with addiction, but they know someone who has. And this place is changing people, especially us three women who are living here.”
Courson admitted that she had a “slip-up” when she began the recovery program and Burleson sent her to a 30-day recovery retreat. Courson stated that Burleson told her she needed to decide what she wanted and get herself together to achieve it. Courson stated at that moment, she realized the program was not a punishment but a place of healing, where not only the judge but everyone around her cared about her progress.
“I’ve done a lot of community service hours to help prepare this home for myself and future women. I’m blessed to be here today” said Courson.
“Whenever you’re in addiction, you never look at the positives. I didn't have any dreams to want anything else. I would accept the bare minimum out of life and now that I'm in recovery, I get to enjoy it to the maximum.”
Courson credits her recovery journey to Christ and Burleson’s assistance and hope. She also stated her step-dad Darris Lee and mother Carolyn Lee are “completely happy” with her progress. Courson now attends Black Springs Church, which she was introduced to through a volunteer working on Wings of Hope.
“Something greater to me is a power greater than myself, because if it was left in my hands, I'd screw this all up,” said Courson.
“Every day, all day, I pray.
God’s plan for me is to have stability and to be able to live a bountiful and plentiful life.”