Watch the info video on Springs of Life’s building fundraiser here

JELLICO, TN (WLAF) – Springs of Life Recovery Center in Campbell County is currently raising funds to purchase the building used for its men’s recovery program in Jellico.   Springs of Life is a non profit, “Christ-centered, long term, residential recovery center for men.”  WATCH HERE.

 The building that the organization has occupied since establishing in Feb. 2014 has been put up for sale. The ministry is fundraising to purchase the building for $70,000. Anonymous donors have pledged to match up to $30,000 in donations, and the non-profit has already raised $16,000. They are on a tight fundraising goal and hope to have the money raised by the end of April.

According to Cliff Branam, the founder and executive director of Springs of Life, the organization serves the residents of rural Appalachia that suffer from substance abuse disorder but cannot access treatment due to the lack of insurance or ability to pay for services.

“These are the individuals who fall between the cracks of the healthcare and treatment industry, ” Branam said. The building houses eight individuals at a time who are going through the nine-month drug recovery program. Individuals go through three phases as part of the recovery program. In the first phase, residents focus on character qualities, biblical principles, vocational skills, basic life skills and stewardship. Phase two focuses on servant leadership while cultivating and maintaining healthy relationships.  During phase three, residents are employed full time through Springs of Life strategic partners. Residents establish after care goals and build on the foundation they obtained during the first six months of the program.

Weekly drug screenings are administered during all phases of the program. Opportunities such as onsite GED classes and creative writing classes are also available. The University of Tennessee provides wellness classes onsite that include healthy menu planning and the development of culinary skills. Other vocational skills are taught through community development programs.

The first six months of the recovery program are free. Residents are provided with food, housing, clothing, hygiene supplies, medical needs, transportation, education courses, counseling, job training , wellness training and much more. By month seven, participants begin employment placement with one of the ministry’s partners such as Cox Construction or Ride Royal Blue.

“They begin work and pay residential fees the last three months of the program,” Branam said. The ministry is hoping to expand the program to a total capacity of 16 individuals with the addition of another location that has been donated to the organization and is currently under renovation. The new facility should be up and running in several weeks.

“We want to expand with our new facility and maintain our original facility because the need in the community is there. We would also like to have long-term housing for those that don’t have a home life to return to,” Branam said.

Springs of Life has wonderful’ community support from multiple churches and organizations for its recovery program. This continued support is what has helped the program grow over the last six years.  “We couldn’t do it without our many supporters and sponsors.  It’s a community effort,” Branam said.  “We are asking folks to prayerfully consider a one time donation to our fundraiser for the purchase of the building which will allow us to be the recovery program that Campbell County needs,” Branam said.

To donate to this cause, visit the website at www.springsoflifeinc.org and click on the donate button.  People can visit the Springs of Life Facebook page and donate through the GoFundMe account or mail a check payable to Springs of Life to P.O. Box 893, Jellico, 37762.

There is also a video in the works that is the collaborative effort of several local churches and individuals which came together to assist in the fundraising campaign. These churches include Hope & Stand, which is the host church, as well as New Horizon and New Life Ministries. Keep an eye out for this video in the upcoming weeks. It will be released on the Springs of Life Facebook page and here over WLAF.  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 04/06/2020-6AM)