Recovery Anonymous sober living house goes back before City Council

QUINCY — Gordon Dobey knows of what he speaks.

Dobey began his recovery journey on December 6, 2016. It’s a journey that will last the rest of his life.

Now, he is trying to help others who have also struggled with addiction by giving them a new space to heal.

This week, the Quincy Plan Commission gave its approval of the rezoning and special permits for Recovery Anonymous to place a sober living house at 1111 N. 8th Street.

Dobey, who is the executive director of the organization he founded nearly four years ago, says it is not a halfway house and it is not a place for those who are not wiling to help themselves.

“It’s not a flop house,” Dobey said. “There will be no convicts and no sex offenders. They must put forth activity toward their sobriety.”

Dobey said the home will be non-secular. And while there isn’t a rigid religious component to follow, he said prayer never hurts.

Dobey had several neighboring residents and other social service organizations who spoke out in favor of the facility, which will be aided in its startup with $200,000 in funding from Adams County as part of the American Rescue Plan Act and it has support from the Adams County Board and Adams County State’s Attorney Gary Farha.

“This is what government dollars are supposed to be used for,” Dobey said. “To help people get back up on their feet.”

Recovery Anonymous is a 501 (c)(3) organization and the County Board had put out the word they wanted not-for-profits to apply for ARPA funds, which have strict federal guidelines tied to their usage.

Dobey said the home could eventually house up to 20 men if needed, but he said to start they will support 12 to 15 men. He said once this one is up and running, he will begin to search for a similar home for women struggling with addiction.

The Quincy City Council will hear the Plan Commission’s recommendation at its Monday, February 28 meeting.