Apartments Offer "New Life" to Local Women
Apartments Offer "New Life" to Local Women Save Email Print
Posted: 10:07 PM Oct 17, 2008
Last Updated: 10:07 PM Oct 17, 2008
Reporter: Jessica Ralston
Email Address: Jessica.Ralston@wsaz.com

A | A | A

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) --They've battled addiction, now a few lucky women who've made the choice to change their lives are getting a new home.

The Rea of Hope program has helped addicted women clean up their act and give them a safe place to stay.

The organization is celebrating its newest addition the "New Life" apartment building.

"From where I was nine months ago when I first got clean to having a place of my own, it's an amazing thing," said Amanda Dietz. For years she's struggled with drug abuse, but now she's found a safe place for her and her children to call home.

Living at New Life is no free ride. The women living here have to stay clean, attend meetings, and have a full-time job or be in school. They can only stay in the apartments for two years, then they must face the true test of living on their own.

More Stories
A Thousand Byrds

July 4th TEA Party

A Different Type of Strip Mining Protest

Double Header at Appalachian Power Park Sunday, Followed by Fireworks

Charleston Fireworks Earlier than Scheduled

Worm Wiggles Way Out of Faucet

Elderly Woman Dies After Car Crash

Recruiting Film Production to West Virginia

Post Your Comments
First Name:
Location:
Enter Comments: characters left
Email (optional):
By posting this comment I have read and agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy:
You must agree to the Terms of Service to continue.
Read Comments
Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.
Posted by: Nancy on Oct 24, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Thanks Jessica and WSAZ for the story. Although some folks don't understand that alcoholism and drug addictions are a disease and treatment is needed to beat it, I can attest to a complete turn-around in my life that includes being a tax paying, productive member of society. Plus my grattitude extends to giving back for the past twenty sober years. Thank you.

Posted by: Marie on Oct 20, 2008 at 07:19 AM
that is great, they need a "Ray of hope program for the homeless people out here that have children living in tents or on the streets. people that live got to overwhelming and lost every thing due to some hardship wheater from loss of work or because of illness etc..

Posted by: Simon on Oct 19, 2008 at 06:07 PM
I agree with sorry, but disagree with the economic collapse theory since those who lost money made their beds too. I would prefer a druggie (something they can't control due to addiction) over greed anyday. If their getting help I'm all for it.

Posted by: sorry on Oct 19, 2008 at 09:28 AM
I am sick and tired of catering to drug and alcohol users. WHy not provide those homes to people who have lost their butts in the economic collapse? I don't feel sorry for people with drug addictions...It is their fault and their own doing. They made their bed, now lie in it.

Posted by: jj on Oct 19, 2008 at 08:34 AM
another useless program, waste of money, a druggie is a druggie, and by the way this is my second attempt to post my comment, WSAZ have you heard of Freedom Of Speach.

Posted by: Phil on Oct 18, 2008 at 07:20 PM
Wish we had something like this in Portsmouth.Real good idea.

Posted by: bateman worker on Oct 18, 2008 at 08:10 AM
I'm glad to see this. We need a lot more places like this for people facing addiction coping and mental illness as well as a multitude of other ailments. Anything to help people who can't fully help themselves at the moment is awesome the state system can't do it well enough alone.

Posted by: Happy4you on Oct 17, 2008 at 11:29 PM
This is a great program that helps a lot of women in need. I am glad to see that they have been able to expand, the apartments look nice. Best wishes to all!

Posted by: Melissa on Oct 17, 2008 at 10:44 PM
The program sounds really good.I'm happy for the women that have overcome there addiction it is a hard battle but if u want to do it u can because I have been clean and sober for a yr now I feel great my life is back to normal and I just got moved into my apt

National Headlines - MSNBC.com
  • NYT: Leading clerics defiant on Iran election
    The most important group of religious leaders in Iran called the disputed presidential election and the new government illegitimate on Saturday.
  • Earn our trust or go, Afghans tell GIs

    July 2: A major new offensive in Afghanistan is aimed at a key Taliban stronghold and heroin trafficking center. NBC's Chief Pentagon Correspondent Jim Miklaszewski reports.  (Nightly News)U.S. forces who have moved deep into formerly Taliban-controlled territory in southern Afghanistan this week meet locals who tell them that they won't be won over easily.


  • U.S. misread scale of Honduran rift

    Honduras' President Manuel Zelaya, left, is welcomed by Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez after his arrival in Nicaragua on Monday. Although the U.S. government knew for months that Honduras was on the brink of chaos, officials say they underestimated how fearful some were of president Zelaya and his ally Hugo Chávez.


  • Weary Palin seeks to regain control

    July 4: In a hastily arranged news conference at her home in suburban Wasilla, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin abruptly announced she will formally resign from office at the end of the month. NBC’s Lester Holt and Chuck Todd discuss the possible reasons for the lawmaker’s move.  (Today Show)Why did Sarah Palin step down?  Some of the people close to the Alaska governor say she wanted to regain control of a script that slipped out of her hands when she burst onto the national stage.


  • Ex-QB McNair, reported girlfriend found dead

    Police were working Sunday to unravel the relationship between slain former NFL quarterback Steve McNair and his friend, a 20-year-old woman who was found shot to death alongside him in his downtown condominium.


  • Zelaya seeks to return to Honduras

    Jose Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the Organization of American States, right, shown meeting with Tegucigalpa mayor Ricardo Alvarez, left, and presidential candidate Porfirio Lobo Sosa on Friday, says there is "no willingness to" restore ousted president Manuel Zelaya.Honduras braced for confrontation Sunday as ousted President Manuel Zelaya insisted on coming home to reclaim his post, urging his supporters to mass at the airport for a showdown with the interim government in power since the army sent him into exile a week ago.


  • One trip, three different agendas for Obama

    President Barack Obama, with first lady Michelle Obama, will take a weeklong trip to Russia, Italy and Ghana beginning Sunday night. President Obama is onto his next foreign mission: rebuilding relations with Russia, proving to the G-8 that the U.S. is serious about climate change, and outlining his vision for Africa.


  • Russia to U.S.: Compromise on missile defense

    Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev speaks at the presidential residence Barvikha outside Moscow on Sunday.Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview published Sunday that the U.S. must compromise on plans for a European missile defense shield to get a deal on cutting nuclear warheads.


SearchKOW Business of the Day
WSAZ.com Sponsor Sections & Links
Healthy Tri-State
Live a healthier lifestyle in 2009
SOMC
Very good things are happening here
Moms4Moms
By moms, for moms
WV Lottery
Nightly drawings and numbers
Big Sandy
For all your furniture and appliance needs