As reports across the Commonwealth show increased dependency on prescription pills and heroin, recovery centers seek creative solutions for these evolving addictions. CenterPoint Recovery Center for Men in Paducah may have just found one that works.
Four years ago, facilities management and food coordinator Laura Price bought some shovels and seeds to start a garden. As the plants bloom so do the men’s abilities to battle their afflictions said Price. Talk had surrounded the idea for a while, it just needed someone willing to take on the project. That person was Price.
Price said the garden is used to supplement food for the center’s 120 residents and also provides clients an opportunity to work hard and give back to other residents. A critical part of the center's recovery program.
This year, the garden was so abundant, residents from CenterPoint wanted to do more. In addition to volunteering at the Community Kitchen residents will bring a substantial amount of fresh food to donate. Utilizing the produce to creates from their own garden.
“A lot of our guys were homeless themselves before coming to CenterPoint. They know what it’s like to not have a decent meal,” said Price.
She compares the men to the flowers in the garden. They start out a bit wilted, but through work they bloom.
“They are my roses, they got some thorns but that’s okay it protects them,” said Price.
Shannon Key and Josh Hendrickson are two of the gardeners at the 120 resident facility.
"It is definitely something that I can continue doing when I go home, to keep my mind off the negative stuff," said Key.
Key continued to describe how the center has saved his life. Hendrickson agreed.
"One day at a time," said Hendrickson.
Besides learning the skills to produce their own food, the canning and actual process of growing offers an escape they credit with the success of the 12 step program.
"We are offered a silver coin here. That means you can come back when you need help, " Hendrickson said that means a lot for recovery.
Hendrickson says there are more and more young men arriving at the center every day. He hopes this can offer the support for them it has for him and his healing.
