Foundation House

The Basics

Founded in 2002 by CEO and executive director Patrick Babcock, who has been sober since the late 1990s, Foundation House in Portland, Maine is a transitional living facility for men 18 and older. While they provide a 12-step approach, Foundation House emphasizes wilderness therapy, which is not surprising since a majority of their staff has worked in adventure-based programs.

Accommodations and Amenities

Foundation House operates three houses, all on the same block and within walking distance from downtown Portland. The house at 40 Deering Street is a quaint baby blue Victorian house with antique white trim. Trees, hedges and colorful plants engulf the house. The house has a 15-bed capacity, and includes five double-occupancy rooms for residents and two singles for house managers and senior peers that are long-term model residents. The third floor includes one triple-occupancy room. The house has two full kitchens, three living rooms, a refurbished basement and two bathrooms. Amenities include laundry facilities, a rooftop deck and Cable TV. The backyard includes tables, a seating area, garden bed and a built-in waterfall.

The 42 Mellen Street house is a three-story pale grey Victorian that used to be a small, three unit apartment building. It has a 14-bed capacity, including five double-occupancy rooms and four single rooms for house managers and senior peers. This house boasts a kitchen and living room on each floor. Amenities include laundry facilities, Cable TV, storage space and a private backyard with a grill.

Foundation House’s location at 235 State Street is a red Victorian house with grey trim and a garden bed brimming with colorful flowers. The large house has a 31-bed capacity, including single, double and triple occupancy rooms. Like the other houses, singles are reserved for house managers and senior peers. This house boasts the amenities of the other residences, and adds another feature. There is a horseshoe pit in the backyard.

Residents are provided an $800 monthly allowance, used for groceries and personal items. The money is kept in a safe, and rationed to residents. At Foundation House, a naturopathic doctor assists residents with the art of healthy grocery shopping. Foundation House also offers a Recovery Cooking Class at their restaurant establishment, the Triangle Café. Not only does the class provide nutritional education, but also it gives residents a chance at the culinary arts. Recipes include Indian turkey madras, lobster pancetta buns, Mediterranean Quinoa, and sesame-scallion pancakes.

Rules and Regulations

Length of stay at Foundation House is typically six months. Clients must have undergone detox prior to admission and a medical clearance by a licensed physician is required. There is zero tolerance for alcohol and/or drug use. Urinalysis and breathalyzer tests are conducted on a random basis.

A stay is broken into three stages. The first month is the “new peer stage,” during which residents are helped with transitioning into the house, job placement, money budgeting, medication management (if needed), a comprehensive assessment and introduction to the 12-steps. During this time, residents are required to attend daily 12-step meetings, get a sponsor and attend a weekly in-house meeting. They must be working, volunteering or going to school for a minimum of 20 hours weekly. The daily curfew is 10 pm. Months two and three are the “peer stage.” During this time, curfew times are extended to midnight. The fourth month is when a resident becomes a “senior peer,” provided that he has fulfilled all previous requirements.

Foundation House also offers a variety of therapeutic activities. Evidence-based treatment includes individual therapy, equine therapy, wilderness therapy, music therapy, art therapy, family therapy and group therapy. Modalities used at Foundation House include motivational interviewing and CBT. Group topics include trauma, relapse prevention, life skills and Big Book study.

Besides CEO Babcock who is very active in the program, the staff of Foundation House includes a clinical director, nurse practitioner, several CADCs, a certified wilderness and adventure therapist, yoga and meditation teacher, naturopathic doctor and a licensed acupuncturist/Chinese herbalist on staff. Additionally, there is a photographer/videographer who films all of the outdoor activities at Foundation House.

Extras

At Foundation House, academic and vocational counseling is provided. There are six universities in the area, and staff assists interested clients wanting to further their education. Clients also receive memberships to two gyms, a Maine rock wall, YMCA and Portland Museum of Art, as well as season tickets to major league games.

Wilderness therapy is big here. Besides the annual Polar Bear dip, clients go mountain climbing, kayaking, camping, backpacking, swimming and other outdoor activities.

In Summary

Foundation House is a great fit for a young guy who is eager to regain his confidence and self-esteem, plus build a good foundation in recovery. The main drawback to this amazing program is the cost. However, for  men who can afford the very best, Foundation House and Portland, Maine offer an array of recovery support options and exciting activities.

Foundation House
160 Preble Street
Portland, ME 04101

Foundation House Cost: $7,900 (30 days). Reach Foundation House by phone at (207) 791-2002 or by email at info@foundationhouse.com. Find Foundation House on Facebook, Google+, Vimeo and Twitter

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Photo courtesy of FoundationHouse

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