A Story County youth addiction recovery center is continuing to expand with a $1 million federal grant.
The 53-acre Ember Recovery Campus opened last January in Cambridge. Created by YSS, the campus offers crisis stabilization, emergency shelter and residential addiction treatment for ages 12-24.
For its second phase of construction, the campus will use $1 million in Community Project Funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The project will include a “maintenance shop” for residents to learn trade skills and tiny homes for families to visit.
U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn – who represents Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District and is seeking reelection – visited the Ember campus on April 24 to help celebrate the donation.
“Ember Recovery and YSS at large are part of the champions of making sure that this next generation of young people who face a challenge today get to have a brighter tomorrow,” Nunn said.
Helping central Iowa youth stay safe at Ember Recovery
Ember completed 50 successful treatments and served more than 100 crisis kids in its first year offering services.
The Ember campus, CEO Andrew Allen said, is ” a culmination of a decade of planning,” and “what it looks like to take on a crisis and build a real solution.”
“Young people are coming from pain and addiction and struggle, and they’re finding hope and connection here,” Allen said during a special ceremony on April 24. “Phase two is building on that momentum, expanding into workforce development and community-based recovery, and creating a movement to help make central Iowa one of the best places in the country for people to recover.”
How does recovery happen at the Ember campus?
The residential substance use program lasts about 90 to 120 days, with participants living at Ember Recovery.
Core program components include skill groups of wellness, recreation and teaching youth how to handle anger and other feelings, and individual and family therapy.
The campus also offers youth crisis stabilization for an immediate mental health or substance use crisis, lasting up to 10 days.
Ember Recovery’s second phase begins
The second phase at the Ember Recovery Campus is underway, which includes the maintenance shop “to maintain mind, body and spirit,” Allen said.
“Young people can learn trades, work with their hands, discover purpose,” Allen said. “This is a place for kids to wrench on cars, read plans, build things and build themselves in the process.”
Plans also include a contemplative space for prayer, yoga and meditation; a classroom for 12-step meetings and lectures; tiny houses for families visiting on weekends, a barn for small farm animals, and a greenhouse.
“We’re creating a place for community and connection where summer is not just supported, but it is celebrated and it’s cool,” Allen said.
Construction is expected to finish in 18 months.
Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Story County youth rehab center gets a $1M federal boost for 2nd phase
Reporting by Celia Brocker, Ames Tribune / Ames Tribune
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