LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) — At THV11 we are working to save a generation by educating viewers about the drug addiction crisis and sharing stories of those on the front lines of the fight.
One Arkansas woman has battled addiction since the age of 12. Now, five years clean, she is using her past to help other women like her, opening a sober living home in Cabot.
“I heard there wasn't a lot of places like this in Cabot and that this was much needed in this area,” said founder of Next Step, Chelsea McGill.
Formerly a furniture shop off North Second Street in Cabot, the building is now known as "Next Step,” a sober living home for women.
“I am all in to do the work that I feel that I'm called to do and that I have that experience in,” McGill said.
After opening a sober living home in Little Rock in August of 2017, McGill started work on this one. She worked with local recovery groups to paint, furnish and get the home ready for those who need it.
“We have a large room that people have been donating old stuff too. We got a couple bunk beds donated by people in recovery,” McGill said.
The home will be open to women 18 and older who can pass a drug test. The will pay rent and attend group meetings as they work towards recovery.
“I, unlike other houses, have been taking women straight out of treatment that don't have money. I’ve been putting in the work to help them find jobs and taking them myself,” McGill said.
While there is still much work to do, McGill hopes the home is the start of a new life for those who walk through the doors.
“God did for me what I couldn't do for myself and he has given me the gift of recovery and I have taken it as a gift ever since,” McGill said.
McGill said she's currently working on raising money to help keep the home up and running. Her hope is to recruit monthly donors.
If you would like to make a donation, visit their GoFundMe page.