Giving recovery a home

Partnership provides space for mothers to rebuild their lives

WARREN -- A recovery home designed to help mothers rebuild their lives while reuniting with their children opened its doors Tuesday through a partnership between Trumbull County Children Services, First Step Recovery and Parkman Recovery Center, and the OneOhio Recovery Foundation.

Local leaders, including Warren Mayor Doug Franklin and Safety Service Director Eddie Colbert, joined advocates at the ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to celebrate the milestone.

Brighter Beginnings, funded by an $850,000 grant from Ohio's opioid settlement funds, will house up to three mothers and their children at a time and offer a stable environment for families navigating addiction recovery.

The home features a playroom, fenced backyard and proximity to schools, while emphasizing a "family-first" approach to healing.

"For too long, mothers here faced an impossible choice: seeking treatment or staying with their children," said Sarah Anstine, OneOhio's director of partnership and outreach, who spoke about her own recovery journey. "This home is a sanctuary where families can heal together. Recovery isn't just possible -- it's achievable with the right support."

The project addresses a gap in local resources.

Marilyn Pape, Trumbull County Children Services executive director, said that more than 50% of the agency's cases involve substance abuse, yet no dedicated recovery housing for mothers and children previously existed.

"We've needed this for years, a place where women with a strong foundation in recovery can focus on reuniting with their kids while tackling barriers like housing or education," Pape said.

"This isn't meant to be permanent. In six to nine months, they'll have the tools to thrive independently. Our goal is to make this a resource for many families over time."

First Step Recovery and Parkman Recovery Center, which owns the property, renovated the home to prioritize safety and comfort.

Cindy O'Keefe, its executive director, said the design was intentional.

"We wanted it to feel inviting, not institutional," she said. "The owner donated furniture, toys, everything to make it warm. The neighborhood's quiet, the schools are nearby, and that backyard fence? It's about giving these kids a safe space to just be kids."

During their stay, residents will work on treatment plans that include counseling, education, and job training. The home adheres to state licensing standards, with rooms accommodating up to two children per mother.

The initiative is part of Ohio's push to allocate opioid settlement funds toward sustainable solutions. OneOhio has awarded millions statewide, with Trumbull County leaders calling Brighter Beginnings a "first step" toward expanding such programs. "If this model works, we'll advocate for more homes," Pape said. "Every family deserves this chance."