Chattanooga transition center receives recognition from White House
A center serving women coming out of incarceration has been recognized by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy as a "Champion of Change."
The Next Door, located at the Moccasin Bend Bend Mental Health Institute, seeks to address the mental, physical, and spiritual needs of women coming out of prison after servicing sentences for substance abuse.
After receiving federal stimulus funds, the organization opened its doors last May. Two other residential transition centers have opened in Nashville and Knoxville using the same funds.
The Next Door provides transitional housing, addictive recovery support, individual and group counseling, case management, workforce development, and family education and reunification services for up to 80 women at a time. Many of the women involved in the program have histories of mental illness.
Linda Leathers, chief executive officer at The Next Door, received an email from the White House in early August informing her of the organization's recognition and inviting her to visit the capital to share its story.
"We were really grateful for the opportunity," Leathers said. "We had about a week's notice before we traveled to Washington. We met with members of the Office of National Drug Control Policy in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, it was really a once in the lifetime opportunity."
Leathers participated in a round-table discussion with national drug czar Gil Kerlikowski, along with senior policy advisors to Vice President Joe Biden and members of other organizations who are seeking to reduce substance abuse across the country.
During the meeting, Leathers said that Kerlikowski promoted The Next Door as an organization whose practices could be replicated nationwide. No additional funds or awards were received for the recognition.
"He thanked us for what we were doing, and told us that The Next Door could be a national model for how our country looks at women in incarceration and prepares them for re-entry," she said. "It's not soft on crime, it's smart on crime. We don't want any of our women to re-offend, because when that happens, the community gets hurt."
The trip further solidified The Next Door's relationship with the Office of National Drug Control Policy. For the organization's grand opening in May, Kerlikowski attended along with U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who said supporting work of groups like The Next Door should be a national priority.
