Addiction. The word conjures up many emotions and judgments. 

For some, the word relates to other people: street people, someone else’s loved one, a stranger. For others, the word is heartbreaking and isolating. For me and Leslie Kristoff, the word is part of our daily vocabulary. 

Both of us have endured the suffering that comes when a loved one is drowning in  addiction. We know the heartache of having two beautiful daughters from the suburbs, from good families, good neighborhoods and good schools, addicted to drugs.  

Both families suffered with the secrets of addiction in silence and isolation. Yet, these secrets  brought Leslie and me together in a friendship of shared pain. While our daughters were spiraling in addiction and the ugliness that comes with it, we had each other to dig out of the solitude and darkness.

As we sought resources, it became clear that services for women were lacking in Franklin County. Certified recovery houses for women were scarce; only seven existed. Ultimately, both our daughters were sent out of state for the help they could not get in Columbus. 

So, the conversation began. What could we do? How could we help women like our daughters? There is so much talk about the problem, but not enough discussion about the solution.  

As we brainstormed “the plan,” we reached out to Rachel Muha for guidance in fall 2017. We knew Rachel had lost her son, Brian, to murder, and she had turned her tragedy into awe-inspiring forgiveness and help for children in the inner city. Rachel’s insight and experience were invaluable.

On a rainy Saturday morning over breakfast, the three of us met. Leslie and I shared our secrets with honesty and raw truth, and Rachel listened quietly.

Rachel started the Brian Muha Foundation and Run the Race Club following her son’s death in 1999. Rachel knew firsthand the heartache of addiction. Men high on crack cocaine had  murdered her son. She had witnessed stories like ours for 20 years as she mentored children (Racers) of women who struggled with addiction.  As our breakfast came to a close that morning, Rachel was inspired to join our mission. It was truly a God moment.

With Rachel’s guidance, knowledge and eagerness to serve, our real work began. In 2018, our organization, OpenDoor, was officially created.

While we prayed for guidance for a plan of action, we were introduced to Open Table, a model of change that has been utilized for 16 years. The model works like this: OpenDoor offers one year of free services (a Table) to a woman in recovery from addiction. 

Tables are composed of six to eight volunteers, trained by Open Table. Volunteers make a one-year commitment to act as a team of life specialists, encouragers and advocates. Tables meet once a week to transform their relational and social capital into tools for these recovering women. The only prerequisite to become a volunteer is a willingness to serve. 

Each Table of volunteers  brings together their resources to benefit one woman in recovery. Friends, book clubs, Bible study groups, any group of people can come together and form a Table. You can also come yourself and join a Table of other volunteers.

This model made it easy for us to get to work. We read about the data attesting to its success. We met the founder, Jon Katov, and discussed how we could implement this in our community. 

Because Open Table is based on research, replicable training and measurable outcomes, it provides guidance so the Tables are implemented successfully. We lovingly tell our volunteers to come through our OpenDoor to sit at the Table.

Women are referred to us by the Brian Muha Foundation, Basecamp Recovery Center and the parole division of the federal court system. Sadly, there is not a shortage of women who need our services. 

Our greatest challenge is not having enough volunteers to fill our Tables. With the ratio of six to eight volunteers serving one woman, we need a lot of volunteers! For one hour a week, by reaching across the Table, we can transform many lives. We are asking for you to prayerfully consider becoming a volunteer. Your life will be transformed also. 

We are also raising money to open a certified recovery house for women. We want to spare mothers like us the heartache of “no room in the inn” for our daughters.   

To be a part of this journey, contact Tammy Foeller at 614-327-3847 and visit our website, www.opendoor-columbus.com. Follow us on Instagram @OpenDoorColumbus