The Keepin’ It Real Recovery House in Flora will help women who have a past of addiction find hope for the future. The duplex is located at 112 and 114 South Division Street. An open house is planned for Saturday, Feb. 20, from 2 to 4 p.m. Pictured, l-r, are Phyllis Reinke, treasurer of the Keepin’ It Real board of directors, and Jackie Partlow, executive director. Comet photo by Jennifer Archibald Jackie Partlow’s long-time dream is coming true with the opening of a recovery house for women. Located in Flora, it offers temporary housing and a support system for women who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.

The house is a duplex, at 112 and 114 South Division Street. It will go by the name, Keepin’ It Real Recovery House.

Its purpose is to give women a safe environment, mentoring for making good choices, and real help to rebuild their lives and become productive members of the community.

Partlow, of Delphi, says she knows firsthand what it’s like to battle addiction and walk the long path of recovery.

“I’ve been clean for almost 10 years now,” she said.

She wants women to know that there is help, and it can be found locally.

“They need to know that people care about them - that the community cares about them,” Partlow said. She added that they also need to feel better about themselves.

As part of the support system, the women will attend AA/NA meetings and will be invited to attend weekly Bible studies.

The house is for women only, age 18 and older, and no children can live there. The women must complete detox before becoming a resident.

Keepin’ It Real will serve as a halfway house for women coming out of incarceration. They can stay as long as needed.

Partlow said the house will serve Carroll, Tippecanoe, White, and Howard counties. She said although the house is targeted for Carroll County women, who might be released from jail in any of those counties, it is not exclusively for Carroll County women.

“We want to fill up the house,” she said.

Each side of the duplex has two bedrooms, which will each hold three twin beds, providing occupancy for 12 women.

Occupancy is not free. There will be a cost to move in, and a weekly cost to stay. So the residents must be employed or have other approved resources. Help will be given to women looking for employment.

There is a long list of house rules. Some of these are no drugs, no alcohol, no smoking, and no overnight guests. There will be designated visiting hours.

There will be a supervisor at the house 24 hours a day. Partlow said she hopes eventually there will be funding for this service.

She said she chose the name “Keepin’ It Real” to tell women the truth about substance abuse – “to tell it like it is.”

“Doin’ drugs is not glamorous,” she said.

Keepin’ It Real is also the name of the corporation that is buying the house on contract. Serving on the volunteer board of directors are: Sadie Scott of West Lafayette, president; Kathy Bell of Delphi, vice president; Phyllis Reinke of Flora, treasurer; and Nancy Stivers of Delphi, secretary. Partlow is the executive director.

Members of the advisory board are Kurtis Fouts, Derrick Hazelwood, Flora Amir, and Julia Leahy.

The corporation is purchasing the house from Kash Management (Nick Root, Rob Root, and Derek Fisher).

“I think it will be a good thing for the community,” Nick Root said. “It will give people a second chance.”

Partlow has elicited the help of her friends, acquaintances, and even people she doesn’t know to make the house and its support program a reality. She rounded up the board of directors, and has not been bashful about asking for needed start-up money and supplies.

People have responded with couches, tables and chairs, lamps, kitchen items, books, etc. Still needed are twin beds, sheets and pillowcases, bookshelves and toiletries. Monetary donations are also needed for initial costs. They can be sent to Keepin’ It Real, P.O. Box 151, Flora, IN 46929.

Volunteers also have been getting the house ready by cleaning and painting.

Partlow said another volunteer is applying for grants for the corporation. She said the house needs a new roof. Some government help is expected once Keepin’ It Real has been approved as a 501(c)(3), nonprofit corporation.

Partlow said she has been thinking about a recovery house for women for a long time, but it really started coming together about three years ago. She said Sana Booker, Carroll County Chamber executive director, was a mentor for how to do it. Then the leg work was up to Partlow. She had the groundwork laid before actually having a location. Finding the house and furnishing it has just come about in the last few weeks.

Partlow is depending on the community for help. She is counting on some grants, and eventually, she is planning on help from the government.

So far, she said, when there has been a need for a volunteer or for things for the house, people have responded. She has faith that it will all work out.

“The Lord will provide,” she said.