 | Vision
In February 2003 Gez and Jim, having spent a combined 30
plus years in the AA program between them, decided to take this part
of their journeys together and embarked once more upon the twelve
steps of AA. As familiarity grew and conversation flowed, the
idea of a recovery house in the Trenton area was born. George and
Steve are Jim's business partners and were also interested in the
possibility of embarking upon a venture of this kind. Four men with
different backgrounds shared a common vision. That vision was
inextricably linked to the restoration of a lost
dignity in the case of individual alcoholics and addicts and
will be alluded to throughout this site.It
was born out of an observed need to raise the bar with regards a place
where men can live out their new way of life in a safe and spiritual
environment. It was born out of a recognition that to live clean and
sober means so much more than to simply stop using drink and drugs. It
was born out of a conviction etched upon the hearts of these four men
that hope for the suffering alcoholic/addict can be realized and that
God's grace can build upon man's nature and the old life can be
transformed into something truly wonderful.
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| Beginnings
To have a vision and to manifest that vision are
two very different animals. The first transformation needed was in the
building that would become the Tabor House. In the Spring of '03
contracts had been signed, contractors and tradesmen employed, and the
dirt and the dust began to fly. Over the course of the Summer months
and under the watchful eye of Dan the G.C. and his faithful partner in
crime, Mad Dawg Pete Sullivan, roofs were repaired, walls were fixed
up, and doorways appeared and disappeared. These men worked tirelessly
and the job could not have been completed without them. We learned
more about spackle and sanding, flanges and sconces, compound and
pitch, zoning and code, and budget and balance etc. than we cared to
learn, but transformation comes in the most unexpected of ways. Floors
were poly'd, plumbing plumbed, re-plumbed, and plumbed again,
electrics wired and rewired and rewired....on and on it seemed to go;
oh the endless Summer of 2003! With Fall fast approaching we were
beginning to see the fruits of our labor. The transformation of the
house was almost complete. Zoning was completed, codes met,
inspections passed and the first community members began to arrive.
Their stories can be read at the Community
Members Page. Now we begin to turn the house into a home...
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Present
At the time of
writing we are 12 months from initial conception, the house is at 80%
capacity, and is filled with men who are serious about transformation
(read their stories and let them tell you themselves). We have a home
which is running smoothly and is founded upon solid spiritual
principles which are being practically met in both an individual and a
communal sense in all areas of our lives. The house finally has its
own name and is called The Tabor House. This is taken from the
mountain of transfiguration in Israel, a place of transforming grace.
What better name for our house in Trenton? We have our own website
(which you've obviously found!) thanks to Storm, our friendly
webmaster. We have our own rapidly growing group of supporters who
have become known as the Friends of
Tabor originally headed and organized by a true friend and benefactor,
Carol McInerney, and since her Floridian emigration, Linda Rapici (follow the link for more info). We are in the process of becoming a
not-for-profit organization and have founded our own charter.
As you
have read, much has taken place
in a relatively short space of time. Much has been a headache in many
ways, but still more has been incredibly exciting, rewarding and
fulfilling, (are we not called to serve/love one another?).
To
see a man at prayer in the early morning or late in the evening, to
listen to his laughter, to watch him work out his struggles, to be
there when his hand reaches out for help and to see him helping others
is the manifestation of the transformations occurring at The Tabor
House. Lives are changing, hope is being realized and transformation
is taking place. Has it been worth it so far? What do you think?
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