CULLMAN, Ala. – Restoring Women Outreach, a local program that has been serving women in Cullman since 2011, recently announced its sixth sober-living home.
Founder and Executive Director Carol Berry said RWO’s mission is providing safe, structured and caring housing for women recovering from substance use disorder.
“This new home will be known as The CJ House, dedicated in loving memory of my daughter,” Berry said. “We just closed on it last month and had it painted. They will be able to move in within five weeks. We are so proud of this project.”
Berry said her daughter CJ’s life, strength and spirit have inspired the mission of RWO from the very beginning.
“It is our hope that every woman who walks through the doors of The CJ House will experience the same love, resilience and hope that CJ embodied,” Berry said.” The opening of this sixth home was made possible through the generous support of the Cullman community — individual donors, churches, businesses, civic groups, partner nonprofits and volunteers who have contributed resources, labor, furnishings and ongoing support.”
Local attorney and Carol Berry’s husband, Johnny Berry, said the program began through the vision and passion of his wife’s heart and the guidance of the late Dorothy Frady.
“Mrs. Frady was a wonderful lady,” he shared. “She had a spare house that she rented to us for $1 for the entire year to use in this outreach program. And now, this is the sixth house we have. Carol got everything going — had it not been Dorothy Frady, it would never be where it is today. Carol wants these girls to learn and believe that they live substance abuse-free in a nice place.”
Johnny Berry said his own addiction more than 30 years ago was also part of the reason behind RWO.
“My drug of choice was whiskey,” he said. “I’m a big believer in the 12-step program, but you’ve got to have God in your life. By the grace of God, He is always there if you will listen to him. (This outreach) mimics a 12-step program, but they start off with a spiritual transition. What Carol has done with this program is such a blessing.”
RWO is for adults with substance abuse issues, and they must already be sober.
Carol Berry shared that since its founding 15 years ago, RWO has served hundreds of women in Cullman and surrounding counties, offering more than housing — providing life skills training, transportation, GED and career support, family restoration and a community committed to encouraging each woman to become all God created her to be.
“A major step toward making The CJ House a reality came through a generous $20,000 gift from an anonymous donor in honor of Gary Holland, whose life and legacy deeply touched this community,” she said. “We are deeply humbled by this generosity. Gary supported Restoring Women Outreach from the beginning, and he carried a special compassion for those struggling with substance use disorder. This gift made the purchase of this house possible. His legacy of kindness and concern for others will continue in the lives changed here. Also a touching point for me is that Gary and his son Nick were both pallbearers at CJ’s funeral.”
The expansion comes as demand for safe, structured recovery housing continues to increase. The addition of The CJ House will allow RWO to serve more women who are waiting for placement and in urgent need of support. RWO is still in need of community support to complete the renovations, furnishings and program expansion for The CJ House. Donations may be made in memory of CJ or in honor of Gary Holland.
For more information or to donate, contact P.O. Box 307 Cullman, AL 35056 or 256-727-6531. Find RWO online at restoringwomenoutreach.org.
