Todd’s Place lacking finances, asking community for donations

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In the 15 months Todd’s Place has been open in Seymour, 28 men have graduated from the program to help them overcome an addiction to alcohol or drugs.

While the facility has helped those men become productive citizens, more than 175 men have been asked to leave or left on their own because they weren’t ready to receive help.

When some left, they owed rent money. It costs $175 per week, which includes a room, three meals a day, cable television, transportation to and from work, laundry and a variety of classes.

Kris Hunley, director of operations for Todd’s Place, also known as Todd’s Transitional Housing Inc., said the back rent owed has reached $100,000.

“We’re starting to take some of them to court, and as a faith-based facility, I really didn’t want to take them to court, but I have no option,” he said.

The monthly operating expenses range from $17,000 to $24,000, depending on the number of men at the facility.

Currently, there are 45 men at Todd’s Place.

“Once they get a good job and get their feet under them, some of them just want to bolt,” Hunley said. “As much as you want to make them make a commitment, you can’t horse-tie them and make them stay. It’s hitting me really hard.”

Hunley said the intake agreement states that a man can’t let his rent owed exceed $525, but in some cases, that has happened.

“With that kind of money, I could do a lot of things,” he said of the back rent owed.

Hunley is asking people to donate what they can to help keep the doors open. Todd’s Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so donations are tax-deductible.

“I’ve never asked the public for anything. I’ve done this totally with me and God and trusting in God,” Hunley said. “Am I asking for a handout? Actually, I don’t feel like I am because we’ve done a lot of success in this community. … I think we’ve done a lot of good and not asked much of the community. We just need a little help.”

Hunley said Todd’s Place is about a month away from having 501(c)(3) status for two years, which would allow him to get a loan from his bank if necessary.

Todd’s Place also recently was awarded associate status by the Indiana Affiliation of Recovery Residences. Hunley said he soon will begin receiving benefits from that for the men who come to the facility through the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Works program.

“For every guy I get out of jail and prison, I can bill (DMHA) and get reimbursed, and they pay me for 30 days until (the men) get on their feet. This also opens me up for Medicare and HIP insurance,” he said.

“But if I don’t get some stuff done here in the next few days, I’m not going to be able to do anything,” he said. “Now, I’m to the point where I don’t even know if I can keep the doors open for that state certification.”

Once a man suffering from an addiction proves he is willing to change and hold a job, Hunley said he allows them to participate in meetings and church services at Todd’s Place.

Those with a job are required to attend meetings and church every week. Newcomers without a job also must go to meetings and church each week, and they have two weeks to find a job.

The staff developed a core curriculum, including career building, relapse prevention, group therapy, Bible study, Celebrate Recovery, Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous, Take the Steps (12 steps of recovery), Fixing My Finances, one-on-one counseling and anger management and trauma classes.

On average, Hunley said it takes six months to go through the program. For some, it takes a little longer.

About half of the graduates either still live at the facility or come back to help because they believe in its mission, Hunley said.

Of those who have left the program, he said nearly 40 have wound up in jail. He said he has seen national statistics that show only one out of 100 people seeking help make it through a recovery program.

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Todd’s Transitional Housing Inc., also known as Todd’s Place, is a place for healing and new beginnings for men suffering from various types of addictions.

The motto is “When we help a man, we help a family. When we help a family, we help a neighborhood. When we help a neighborhood, we have been effective in our community.”

The facility is at 4990 N. U.S. 31, Seymour.

To make a donation to help with operating expenses, call 812-271-1199. Todd’s Place is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, so all donations are tax-deductible.

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