CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – There is a special place in Clarksville – Butterfly Moments Inc. Women’s Recovery Center – where women can find the faith-based care and support they need with recovery from addiction, mental health disorders, transitional housing and more.

Mary Laremore, founder and executive director of Butterfly Moments, said the idea and the name of the organization came to her in 2010 and grew into a nonprofit organization in 2013.

Hers was the first butterfly story. In 2010, Laremore was in the Montgomery County Jail and felt that God was calling her to do something different. She said she prayed and heard God say, “Butterfly Moments Women’s Recovery Center.”

“I came from smoking $1,700 a day in crack cocaine in Clarksville, prostituting, just doing all of the things that an addict would do, that someone with mental health issues would do, and going to jail several times,” she aid.

Laremore said addiction is a disease and it’s treatable, and that’s what Butterfly Moments does. They provide recovery support for women who have been incarcerated or suffer from substance abuse and mental health issues.

Recovery programs

Butterfly Moments strives to provide women with the tools needed to return to the community as self-sufficient, productive individuals. Three- to six-month recovery programs are offered that are approved by the Tennessee Department of Corrections.

The organization receives funding from the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. From that funding the organization offers an addiction recovery program, Recidivism Reduction Training, and a Reentry Housing Program.

Laremore said the organization is in need of monetary donations because they are growing. They have a property on Richardson Street that needs improvements that will allow them to expand and help more people and offer more services.

Butterfly Moments is also looking to expand their Butterfly Buddies program, which provides positive mentoring and fun activities for children who have had traumatic experiences resulting from their parents and adults who have mental health problems or other issues.

“Butterfly Buddies is amazing. It takes the children who have been negatively affected by drug use, mental health, and gives them an outlet,” Laremore said.

Veterans housing support

The organization also operates Butterfly Moments Inc. Veterans Homes. The facility is for either or men or women veterans and provides permanent, affordable housing for veterans with disorders who are in need of long-term recovery support.

There are five one-bedroom apartments, and residents have access to recovery support with both Alcoholic Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings, Celebrate Recovery meetings and life skills support.

For more, visit butterflymomentsinc.org, email butterflymomentsinc@hotmail.com, or call 931-802-9133. You can also contact Butterfly Moments Director of Programs Nicole O’ Connor at 931-320-9587.

Giving Grace, sponsored by Grace Dental, is an ongoing Clarksville Now series showcasing local nonprofit organizations.