• 637 N Main Street Suite 1A, Cottonwood, AZ 86326
  • 928.649.0077
  • info@stepstorecoveryhomes.org

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Steps to Recovery Homes in Print

Cottonwood Journal Extra 1/4/2017

MIRACLES HAPPEN RESALE STORE

Pass by the Clemenceau Plaza at the northwest corner of State Route 89A and S. Sixth Street in Cottonwood, and you might notice an uptick in activity.

Now in its fourth month in the historic plaza, Steps to Recovery Homes has fully opened its door to the community. Founders Damien and Anne Browning welcome applicants to its addiction recovery program and help train volunteers. At Miracles Happen, the nonprofit’s resale store two doors down, current and former participants in the recovery program sort, pick up, label and sell used items.

“Everybody who works for us has been through the program,” Damien Browning said, adding that the average stay in the program is under three months. “Accountability is huge with us …. We expect a lot of them, so some people come and then leave after a few days.”According to Browning, Steps to Recovery Homes has recently downgraded the size of its gender-specific homes to accommodate fewer guests, achieving a higher success rate through personal care and relationship building. The Brownings oversee two Cottonwood homes, one that houses eight men and another that houses five women.The resale store, however, marks a major upgrade for the nonprofit. Previously, the store sat in a less accessible spot near Old Town. Now, the operation encompasses three storefronts, offering increased visibility for Steps to Recovery Homes and allowing for the sale of more items. Additionally, an increase in items coming in allows the Brownings to provide clothing for those in recovery and donate to other charities.Reinvigorating the plaza through good business practices is also on the Brownings’ minds.“We’re trying to wake it up again, man,” Damien Browning said. “We’re trying to do high-end stuff for low prices for the community …. And it’s all donation based.”The underlying purpose remains recovery, Browning added. To that end, Steps to Recovery Homes now features a working governing board. Recently, it became a founding member of the Verde Valley Tax Credit Coalition to promote charitable tax donations. Over the summer, the organization hosted a mental health and addiction community awareness event, inviting local experts to talk on the issue.“A lot of people don’t understand addiction,” Browning said. “The stigma needs to be erased. It’s not something to be scared of …. And these people — they don’t need a handout, but a hand up.”According to Browning, Steps to Recovery Homes is focused on long-term solutions to addiction, which he claimed is on the rise throughout the Verde Valley. Affordable options for individuals with addictions are few and far between, he added, making it difficult to address the issue in a sustainable way.“We’re trying to raise the bar for recovery in the Verde Valley,” Browning said.To donate to Steps to Recovery Homes or volunteer your time, call 649-0077 or stop by the office located in Clemenceau Plaza.

Event takes steps to erase addiction stigma

Erase the Stigma, Steps to Recovery Homes’ second annual mental health and addiction awareness event, took place at the Cottonwood Recreation Center Saturday, June 24, attracting people from across the region.

The event, which was free and open to the public, featured 28 resource booths from advocacy, charity and health care-related organizations. Food, drinks and day passes to the rec center were handed out to attendees for free.

Steps to Recovery Homes co-founder Damien Browning estimated the turnout at approximately 175 people.“I think it went very well,” Browning said, adding that the event was intended to be a service to the community — a benefit for rural Arizona, which continues to struggle with addiction and mental illness, as well as the stigma attached to those who suffer from the conditions.“It was a win-win for everybody.”The event featured seven experts speaking on subjects including grief, trauma and community awareness.“Forty-two million people suffer from mental illness and 24 million suffer from addiction every day in this nation, and the stigma surrounding these illnesses keeps them living in the dark, suffering alone,” Browning said. “Solutions are available. However, first we need to give them the strength to reach out and resources to turn to.”The city of Cottonwood placed its resources behind the event, endorsing Browning’s efforts by waving the rec center’s usual rental and setup fees for the event. Founded by couple Damien and Anne Browning, Steps to Recovery Homes is in its fourth year of operation.The Brownings oversee two Cottonwood homes, one that houses eight men and another that houses five women. Last year, the operation packed up and moved to its office in Clemencau Plaza.At the Steps to Recovery Homes office, founders Damien and Anne Browning welcome applicants to its addiction recovery program and help train volunteers. At Miracles Happen, the nonprofit’s resale store two doors down, current and former participants in the recovery program sort, pick up, label and sell used items.“Steps to Recovery Homes witnesses the battle every single day and is hosting Erase the Stigma event in collaboration with many other organizations in Arizona who are committed to helping those who suffer with mental health problems and addiction,” Damien Browning said. “The more we, as a society, understand the unique challenges of mental health and addiction the more we can all help those that have these issues and the safer our communities will become.”In the wake of Erase the Stigma, Browning said he has received a number of requests from organizations across Northern Arizona to host similar events.“This is about helping our whole community,” Browning said, adding that he recently evaluated Steps to Recovery Homes’ yearly statistics and was pleased by the outcome. “Out of 245 people
that have come into our program, 48 percent are leading a better life … That’s making a core difference.”Browning invites parties interested in volunteer opportunities to stop by Steps to Recovery Homes at 516 State Route 89A, or contact Browning at (928) 592-2603.

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