A safe place for the suffering
Fellowship of Hope hosts variety of support groups; also, Project Access names
In the mid-1980s, a small group of recovering alcoholics met in a North Apperson Way garage. As the attendance grew, the small group moved to 914 E. North St., where they organized themselves into the Fellowship of Hope Club. In February 1989, club members organized a Recreation Committee, responsible for fundraising and social events, and began organizing events such as dances for the purpose of a building fund.
As attendance grew, board members decided to seek a larger gathering spot. On June 6, 1991, they signed a three-year lease at 1704 E. Sycamore Rd. There, members of Al-Anon, Ala-Teen, and Co-Dependents Anonymous joined the Fellowship of Hope Club., conducting weekly meetings.
On December 19, 1991, the Fellowship of Hope Club incorporated itself with the state. At this time, members decided to purchase a club, rather than rent. Using funds accumulated through the building fund, the Geo. Kingston Building, located at 1301 N. Webster St., was purchased. Members quickly cleaned and renovated the building, making it usable for the various 12-step groups to meet. The first Alcoholics Anonymous meeting met in the new building in November 1993.
For the past 30 years, groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, Ala-Teen, Narcotics Anonymous, Co-Dependents Anonymous, and Gamblers Anonymous have called the Fellowship of Hope Club home. The club exists to give recovering people, their families, and those in the community a place to learn about and recover from addiction, whatever form it may take.
Board President Joy Fouch said, “The founders of this club had one purpose: giving those suffering from addiction a safe place to meet; to give them and their families hope. After 30 years, our mission has not wavered. We will be here as long as we can be of service to those in need of recovery.”
To date, the Fellowship of Hope Club houses close to 75 percent of the 12-step recovery meetings in the Kokomo-Howard County area. With multiple meetings seven days a week, attendees have traveled from across the North Central Indiana area to attend a meeting.
For more information about the Fellowship of Hope Club or how to conduct a meeting with them, it can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/fohclub or may be emailed at thefellowshipofhopeclub@gmail.com.
Project Access names provider of the month
DeCleene Optometry and its wonderful staff has been in business for more than 25 years. Project Access and DeCleene have had a partnership for 10 years, and DeCleene Optometry has supported the eye vision program for the Howard County school children during that time.
Project Access offers many grateful thanks to DeCleene Optometry, its May Provider of the Month.