Next Step Sober Living Turns 10!
2014-2024
In the fall of 2014, four young adults moved into Pres House Apartments to share an apartment and to share their journey in recovery. Twenty five residents have lived and participated in Next Step Sober Living in the past 10 years. Nine have completed higher educational degrees, one a general education/high school equivalency diploma, and two (that i know of) have become parents!
Life in recovery is possible. While often the journey starts in treatment or rehab, studies show that recovery residences are one of the most effective factors to increase the odds for individuals to live into long term recovery. Let’s face it, the path from addiction and substance use disorder into recovery is not always a straight shot. Next Step has provided support and accountability in recovery, even when the path ahead was not always clear.
We have learned a lot about supporting young adults in recovery over these past years; much of the success of this program has been because of the residents who did the work and shared their struggles and didn’t give up on themselves or this program.
Celebration Event April 20, 2024
This April we celebrated two milestones: the 10 year anniversary of Next Step and the 20 year anniversary of the ministry of Rev. Mark Elsdon and Rev. Erica Liu at Pres House! Alums and supporters of Pres House programs gathered on the weekend of April 21nd and 22nd to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate these milestones. Ginger hosted a reception for Next Step residents and alums and their loved ones on the 21st, which was followed by a dinner in Lower Hall.
Support Next Step by giving a donation below!
We hope you might consider supporting Next Step with a donation. Next Step was started from one generous donor who believed in the importance of sober spaces for people in recovery… especially young adults at the University of Wisconsin. Resident scholarships continue to be sustained by the gifts of those who care about providing a sober housing option near the UW campus. Pres House has offered over $90,000 in scholarships for Next Step over the past decade. Use the form below to make a donation to Next Step.