CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Butterfly Moments Inc. Women’s Recovery Center broke ground Wednesday on the newest addition to their recovery solutions program.
Close to 40 people attended the event for the new site, located at 2088 N. Ford St., which will provide permanent, affordable housing for veterans with co-occurring disorders in need of long-term recovery support.
Butterfly Moments founder Mary Laremore said the homes will be built in memory of fallen veteran Glenn Williams. Laremore said she was a substance counselor for Williams, who was placed into housing, however, there was no case management provided.
“Without case management and aftercare, no one was checking in on him, and he ran off getting back into substance abuse,” said Laremore. “This led me to recognize that case management was what was missing.”
Laremore added that there are other permanent housing options available, but they leave the veterans to be responsible for themselves. Butterfly Moments wants to create a safe and sober recovery environment.
City Councilman-elect for Ward 4 Wallace Redd said it was fitting for the groundbreaking for the veteran’s home to be on Veterans Day.
“Every freedom that we have to be here is because of our great veterans, and it’s wonderful that we have people that volunteer their time and do this great work,” Redd said.
Laremore praised the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Administration, Regional Housing Facilitator Bill Friskcis-Warren, and builder Bert Singletary for their support. Laremore also did a symbolic release of butterflies to celebrate the occasion.
The North Ford Street location will have five one-bedroom apartments, and residents will have access to recovery support with both Alcohol and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, Celebrate Recovery meetings and life skills support.
The projected date for the opening of the Butterfly Moments Veterans Homes is April 2021.
For more, visit butterflymomentsinc.org, email butterflymomentsinc@hotmail.com, or call 931-802-9133.