Not all warriors carry weapons.
“The women of Kinard Manor battle every single day,” says Ashley Robertson, house manager at Lutheran Services Carolinas’ recovery program for women in Greenwood, South Carolina.
Kinard Manor provides a stable, sober living environment for up to 12 women at a time as they recover from substance use disorder.
It’s a vital resource in Greenwood County which, according to a 2023 report by the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, ranks sixth in the state for the risk of developing such a disorder.
Women in recovery typically spend 8 to 12 months living at Kinard Manor. They receive personalized and group support at the house, as well as peer counseling and rehab services through Cornerstone treatment center in Greenwood.
“Everyone has a plan,” Robertson notes. “Most of our residents work 30 hours per week; a few are in school. Everyone must do something for their recovery for at least an hour every day and give back to the community twice a month. Many sponsor other women who are in recovery.”
Kinard Manor is also one of relatively few “MAT-friendly” recovery houses in South Carolina. That stands for medication assisted treatment – the use of FDA-approved medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone along with counseling and behavioral therapy to achieve and maintain recovery. It can help people in recovery live longer, stick with treatment, and keep a job, says the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
But the most special thing about Kinard Manor is its atmosphere.
“The vibe with this program is a family feel,” says Robertson.
Robertson meets one-on-one with each resident every week, and she is present each night for the group’s “retirement” meeting where they reflect on the day.
Spiritual support is also available.
“Through our partnership with Restoration Chapel, Lutheran pastors come to the house and share a meal with the residents. They call it ‘table talk,’ and it’s not always related to faith. No topic is off limits,” Robertson notes.
Every day in recovery is a milestone on the journey toward a more abundant life. Over the past year, Kinard Manor has walked alongside the 12 women it serves for an average of 200 days per person.
That’s a lot of milestones… one day at a time.
To learn more about Kinard Manor and LSC’s other recovery programs, contact Bethany Vause, executive director of community and rehabilitative services, at bvause@lscarolinas.net or 803-513-2794.
Photo caption: LSC’s Kinard Manor in Greenwood, South Carolina, provides a safe, supportive living environment for up to 12 women at a time as they recover from substance use disorder. Inset: A calm, family atmosphere pervades Kinard Manor.