{"id":1820,"date":"2016-06-23T16:04:24","date_gmt":"2016-06-23T21:04:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/silveuscropins.com\/?p=1820"},"modified":"2024-10-21T08:49:24","modified_gmt":"2024-10-21T12:49:24","slug":"silveus-agents-launched-residential-center-help-people-get-back-feet-since-2007","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/silveuscropins.com\/silveus-agents-launched-residential-center-help-people-get-back-feet-since-2007\/","title":{"rendered":"Silveus Agents Helping People Get Back on their Feet since 2007"},"content":{"rendered":"
Silveus Insurance Group (Silveus) agents Brent<\/a> and Gordon<\/a> Clark are as devoted to helping others as they are to helping clients protect their farming operations. In 2007, the two started The Refuge at Dumas \u2013 a place where those addicted to drugs and alcohol can go to rebuild their lives after going through rehab.<\/p>\n \u201cWe first came up with the idea through our church when we came across a few guys who had been through rehab for addiction problems but were having a very difficult time staying clean,\u201d said Gordon. \u201cWe decided our role would be to help people find a new way of life and get back on their feet.\u201d<\/p>\n The Texans purchased property in town, made a few renovations, and had the first group of residents moving in shortly after that. The Refuge typically houses between 10 and 25 people at any given time, with a goal to be back on their feet within a year. Some leave The Refuge in three or six months while a few stay more than a year.<\/p>\n \u201cMost of the time when people get here their credit score is messed up, they have no money, a terrible job history and bad rental records,\u201d said Gordon. \u201cThey just need someone to help them put their lives back together, piece by piece.\u201d<\/p>\n Refuge Manager Charles Stephens and wife Linda are the primary administrators, with a core group of ten families helping out, along with the support of several churches in town and the Silveus<\/a> family as well. \u00a0Residents most show accountability and take ownership for the upkeep of the facilities and also take care of all meals. Through the program, each resident develops a plan for how to live a productive, healthy life, including finding a job and reconnecting with family.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a great success rate \u2013 close to 50 percent,\u201d said Gordon. \u201cIt may sound like a lot of failure but a typical facility has a 10 percent success rate. This is the best option we know of to really give people a chance at a better life.\u201d<\/p>\n One of the ways the Silveus family has helped the Refuge is by building a duplex behind the main building where individuals who are getting their lives back on track can spend time reconnecting with children or spouses.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been nine years and the Silveus family has helped us all along,\u201d said Brent. \u201cThey\u2019ve been a big part of this, which is really encouraging. We\u2019ve helped hundreds of people learn to live in society drug and alcohol free, getting families, jobs and trust back; it\u2019s so important and incredibly rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n