What I realized when I came to Healing Properties Halfway House is that this process was going to be a lot more complicated than first anticipated; the old adage, "the more someone knows, the more they begin to realize how little they actually know" has shown to be absolutely true in my life today.

~ Written By: Any one of the current tenants of Healing Properties

~ Written By: Any one of the current tenants of Healing Properties

I have always heard from others, “If you want what someone has, then do what they do,” a phrase which meant nothing to a hopeless alcoholic and drug addict like me. I wanted what others had but under no circumstances was I going to do what they did; to be frank, it was because I had no idea what they had or what they did. Over time, however, I had the opportunity to observe the revolving door of sobriety, the people coming, the people going, and most importantly the people who actually stayed. I soon realized what this phrase actually meant. I saw before me, the growing tree of sobriety, as people with sponsers got sponsees and in turn began watering their own roots of sobriety, exponentially turning the roots that I sought into a blossoming tree. I realized how low I had set the bar for myself, I was satisfied with roots (i.e. an end to my chaotic lifestyle) and neglected to pursue my ultimate blossoming tree (i.e. a life of security, serenity, and happiness). Coming in, and ultimately staying, at Healing Properties Halfway House gave me the opportunity to see the forest and not just the trees.

~ Written By: Any one of the current tenants of Healing Properties

At first, being the little kid in a man’s body I have always been, I was scared. I didn’t know these people, I was a long way from home in Delray Beach FL, and to make matters worse it was my first time out of the intensive bubble that is the drug and alcohol treatment facility program. Attending my first house meeting, needless to say, I was nervous... especially after someone told me I would have to sing a song in front a group of about 35 other people my age. Come to think of it, I think petrified would be more appropriate.

“Hi, I am Philthadelphia, and I am an alcoholic,” I said nervously.

“Hey Philth...welcome!” replied the group enthusiastically.

“Tell us about yourself and what Healing Properties Halfway House can do to help you,” asked the house manager.

“Well, I said hesitantly,” going into the spiel of problems and issues that led me to Healing Properties in the first place, “I’ve always been intimidated by people.”

“Can you guys help Philthadelphia feel more comfortable?” asked the house manager.

With a resounding, “YES!” I had been officially welcomed into Healing Properties Halfway House. I could feel the energy coming from this odd-ball group of full grown men, tattoos, drug problems and all. What a sight! In an instant, the fear and loneliness subsided and I realized I was home. It was then that I realized, I didn’t chose Healing Properties, Healing Properties chose me.

~ Written By: Any one of the current tenants of Healing Properties

In the first years of Healing Properties’ inception George teamed up with Tim to formulate the program that Healing Properties follows today.  Raised in Harlem, in the 1950’s, George (the more educated of the two) was a National Merit Scholarship winner as he ranked in the (delete top) 96^th percentile on the SAT.  He soon found himself at Wesleyan Collage.  With the changing socio-political climate of the late 1960’s in the United States, George found himself involved with a number of conflicting influences.  Looking to find solace, George finally made it to Delray Beach.  And, that’s where he met Tim.  George was instrumental in the rapid growth of Healing Properties, bringing its size from 5 beds to 65 beds in a matter of 2 years.  During this time George wanted to perfect his skills for helping people, so he began to obtain his Masters at Barry University, in Miami Shores, Florida.  George received his M.S. in Mental Health Counseling (minor – Marriage, Family, Conjoint Therapy); graduated 2007 with Honors (3.95 GPA); NCC – National Certified Counselor; member Chi Sigma Iota (Counseling Honors Society); member American Counseling Association; member Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development. When George decide to continue his education and get his PHD, the workload of the two endeavors, Healing Properties and the PHD, were too much.  Tim and George shook hands and parted as the best friends two men could be.  George is still persuing his PHD while getting married and having a beautiful bouncing baby boy.  (Tim is the god-father…fyi)

Woo Hoo!!