Foundation House overall provided for me what most rehabs and doctors did not/could not. I showed up at the house young, 19, and fresh out of rehab. I was full of fear and still suffered from some natural alcoholic defects. What I started to learn was how to live a life engulfed by AA and fun. Portland, Maine is an amazing city of sobriety with meetings all over town all the time. It definitely helps to have a house full of guys of all ages that are motivated to do the right thing.
One of the biggest things that Foundation House taught me was patience. I seemed to convince myself every 3 months or so that I was ready to move out. Fortunately, I had the gut feeling that Patrick Babcock and Tim Maxfield MAY be right, so I listened to them and just hung around. It was the best decision I made. I know that had I moved out earlier there would be some life skills I'd be lacking that I learned in the additional time I spent there.
For the most part, the house is independent. There is a lot of freedom to go out and work your own deal. In my opinion, this is a good thing. I encountered many situations that are normally intentionally avoided in early recovery. With the guidance of Tim, Patrick, and fellow peers, I was able to walk through them with faith and comfort. The house helped mold my new character, which has helped me to stay sober, and for that I am so grateful.
Mike D.
Resident, 2008 - 2009
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From 16 through 31 everything my son did that was “fun” was fueled by alcohol. Every time he had a problem he turned to alcohol. Recently he said, “I didn’t know how I was going to live the rest of my life without alcohol.”
The Foundation House provides a one of a kind journey to living a sober life. I have watched through tears, cheers and bated breath as my son has transformed from being chained to a hospital bed as he detoxed, attending a three month rehab and now learning how to live an independent life at Foundation House with a smile on his face and a song in his heart.
The fact that Foundation House is centered in Portland contributes to its success. From the day he arrived in Portland he fell in love with the city. There are so many AA meetings to choose from. Everything is so accessible… shopping, restaurants and many athletic activities. He was able to find a job through a temp agency and has decided to make Portland his home.
Every new building is only as strong as its foundation. Foundation House provides each new resident with the tools, materials and step by step plans to rebuild their lives with sobriety. My son has taken on responsibility and shown growth as he set objectives and reached his goals. He now believes in himself and has the courage to “lead by example.” By following the old adage of “In order to help yourself, help someone else” he has progressed through the twelve steps of AA and the peer leader steps to the position of house manager and is now leading his home AA meeting. I have found as a teacher that once you teach it …you own it. With the help and guidance Foundation House has provided through his recovery my son now OWNS his sobriety. Foundation House is where addiction challenges recovery and meets reality. I thank God everyday that we found Foundation House!
Karen H.
New Jersey
Parent of Foundation House resident 2009 - 2010
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We would like to share some perspective from the parents of a son who was knocking at death’s door and now is almost 18 months sober and turning into a fine young man.
Decidedly, one of the most important decisions we were faced with was our son’s aftercare program. After the initial immersion and education into the 12 steps – it was evident that our son’s success was going to be dependent on maintaining his newly discovered foundation to how he lives his life, as well as, being taught some basic life skills that we all neglected during his years of addiction.
Clearly our higher power was at work as our decision to send our son to Foundation House has proven to be not only a valuable life’s lesson to our son – but to the two of us as well. We were extremely impressed with the level of coaching/mentoring of everyone concerned as we tried to effectively navigate through what are some of the natural bumps in the recovery process.
We highly recommend Patrick, Tim and the team at Foundation house to anyone who is contemplating aftercare. They just get it in a way that only addicts can relate to – clearly an important part of their success!
We are pleased to say that our son was recently “kicked out” of Foundation House for the right reasons – he is now ready to assume his role in life substance free. We want to say “thank you” for all that you have done not only for our son – but our entire family – it is a joy to have him back in our lives again.
Most Appreciatively,
Bill & Laurie D.
Houston, TX
Parents of Foundation House resident 2008 -2009
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My son has struggled with the disease of addiction for many years. We are so fortunate and grateful to have found Foundation House. We now have new hope. As parents, wehave done all that we could to help him find his way, but the drugs have always interfered. Foundation House has provided a unique balance of freedom in daily living and the structure that is required for those in early recovery.
Foundation House works because Tim and Patrick get it! They know what these young men need and they work tirelessly to provide it. They are available day and
night. I feel like there is always someone there to guide my
young adult son in a way that a parent can no longer do. Most importantly, they care...they really do care and understand our children.
Lastly, Foundation House has helped me. I did not expect this. For the first time in a long time, I can relax. I can sleep at night without worry. I feel my son is safe and well guided. I feel like I too am well guided as this new journey brings new questions. We all know there are no guarantees with addiction but for today my son is safe. Today I am not doing this alone. Today I am part of a team with a common goal. It is the most important goal in my life. It is to help my son regain his life.
Marian M.
Massachusetts
Parent of Foundation House resident 2008 -2009
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While looking for a job the summer between high school and college our 19 year old son found the wrong people. By midsummer he was a heroin addict in Boston, MA. After a period of much anguish, problems and police he went to detox in Rhode Island and rehab in Montana.
This being our first experience with anything like this we were sitting at home wondering what happens next when he gets out of rehab. He is sober and we want to keep him that way. In our search for what happens next, the rehab facility recommended a place in Maine called Foundation House. We talked to several places by then but got a chance to talk to Patrick at Foundation House. It was refreshing to talk to him as Patrick really seemed to care about the success of our son. Patrick was knowledgeable, experienced, tough yet caring. Quickly we felt like Foundation House would be a place where our son was likely to continue his sobriety. We were correct.
Patrick has set up care where the men are taught responsibility, self care and wellbeing while under a high amount of accountability. Foundation House proved to be exactly what our son needed in terms of lessons on how to live on your own and be responsible for yourself. Foundation House was a great next step after rehab. Our son is back at college now with Foundation House being a key step in his recovery thanks to Patrick and his staff.
Mike & Robin B.
Atlanta, GA.
Parents of Foundation House resident 2008 -2009
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