KING CITY — Sun Street Centers recently celebrated the opening of two Sober Living Environments (SLEs) located behind its substance abuse facility in King City.
About 150 guests attended the April 23 open house, which featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, tours of the facility — including the new Huntington House at 119 S. Mildred Ave. — food from Tacos La Potranca and Turf Club Catering and an open 12-Step meeting for families and friends.
King City Mayor Mike LeBarre and Council Member Darlene Acosta as well as Soledad Mayor Anna Velazquez were among those who attended the Saturday celebration.
Others in attendance included Sun Street alumni in recovery, board members and many of the donors who made the project happen.
“Our residents will now be able to move into a sober and safe place after treatment from addiction while they build on their recovery skills and develop family and work life,” said Anna Foglia, CEO of Sun Street Centers. “The houses were lovingly decorated by our amazing committee, including Mary Orradre, Janet Buttgereit, Karen Fanoe and Arlene Dedini.”
The new, prefabricated buildings are designed to house four men and four women up to 90 days each as they transition from their residential treatment into independent living and a sober lifestyle. In addition to the SLEs, there is one apartment on campus, bringing the total number of beds to 10 on site.
Foglia said the goal is to assist 40 to 50 residents each year, and there are already men and women ready to move in after completing their substance abuse treatment program.
“These additional months help them achieve long-term recovery,” she said. “The rooms are shared, and they pay a portion of their rent and deposit, while they save up for permanent housing.”
A community center on the campus at 641 Broadway St. was also completed.
Major funding for these projects came from community members, including the Louis and Roberta Huntington Charitable Fund, Taylor Farms, John and Annette Romans Family Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, Andrew and Phyllis D’Arrigo Charitable Foundation and Monterey Peninsula Foundation.
Donations are still needed to fully complete the King City campus.
Foglia said a youth center is the final project to be finished, and would include an activities room, computer and homework room, clothes closet and kitchenette.
“We still need to raise $300,000 for this building renovation,” she said. “We would like to finish it this year.”
