VERSAILLES, Ky. — As the opioid epidemic maintains a grip on the Commonwealth, there is a new tool in the battle against addiction.
The Isaiah House is opening its sixth location. It's possible because of a $2.5 million grant that'll go toward helping thousands fight substance abuse, with a focus on keeping families together.
What You Need To Know
- The sixth Isaiah House opened in Versailles Wednesday morning
- $2.5 million dollars was granted to the Isaiah House from Kentucky leaders Mitch McConnell & Andy Barr
- The house is dedicated to a women’s center with a 28 bed facility
- The house will provide faith support, medication-assisted treatment, transitional living, job skills training and an employee assistance program
Jesse Morris is one of three pastors at the house. His faith has always been a part of him, but said this calling is different.
“The Isaiah House is a house that understands what mercy and grace is all about. We all need mercy but grace is given here," Morris said.
Meeting Mark LaPalme sparked an interest for Morris in helping people get through their addictions. LaPalme said partnerships are valuable in the fight against substance abuse.
“And we can not do this alone, it will take collaboration,” LaPalme said.
Morris has only been on the job for 90 days, but he's already helped with baptisms and faith support for people who are trying to manage their addiction.
“I am very proud and very happy," Morris said. I am grateful, thankful that this was my calling and God set me to the right place to go out and save, recover and restore lives."
In addition to faith-based support the Isaiah House provides medication-assisted treatment, transitional living, job skills training and an employee assistance program.
The Isaiah House is determined to serve more clients this year than it did last year – with a goal of helping 3500. If met, this number will be 1500 more than the previous year. According to the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky in 2019, 54% of adults with drug use problems entered treatment.
“This grant provides us with the extraordinary opportunity to also impact our states’ economy," LaPalme added.
U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell played a major part in awarding the grant to the Isaiah House.
“It is obvious this was not a uniquely Kentucky problem,' McConnell said. "We moved it to the forefront as a direct result of impact from Mark and others."
Kentucky leaders are confident this grant will help people get back home and work again.
“I am thankful that someone is seeing the sadness and came to reach out to give them their life back and their joy,” Morris said.
The Isaiah House plans to serve a total of 7,000 people with the allotted $2.5 million dollars from the grant.