By Brenna Angel
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-935067.mp3
LEXINGTON, Ky. – For hundreds of women like Cassandra Clay, the Hope Center of Lexington is a godsend. She started drinking at age eight, and got hooked on drugs as a teenager. While serving time at the Fayette County Detention Center, Clay a path to recovery through the Hope Center.
"It's like my food, my water. I got a lot of tools from here to learn how to live and cope with life on life's terms. It's an experience of hope."
Clay helped cut the ribbon Monday morning at the Barbara Hardwick Rouse House on Versailles Road, where as resident manager. It's a 44-unit apartment complex for single women in recovery. Stephanie Raglin is Assistant Director of the Hope Center for women.
"This is based on low income. So if they're working, they pay a percentage of their income to be able to live here as long as they want to, as long as they maintain their sobriety. It's not only open to our women, but it's also open to anyone that has worked a recovery program and wants to live in a sober community."
Raglin says the Rouse House is open to any woman who has worked through a recovery program.
The project benefited from a $1.6-million federal grant from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.