Nation's first vocational community for men in recovery set to open this spring

With the nation's first vocational program for men in recovery expected to open its doors in the coming months, community leaders at Emerge Recovery & Trade Initiative give a great deal of credit to the local community for the support they’ve received getting started.

“The community here in Greene County has been wonderful,” said Kip Morris, co-founder of Emerge and CEO of Five Star Home Services. “If the county hadn’t been so supportive, we would not have been able to get started as quickly as we have. The Greene County Commissioners have been especially helpful.”

In fact, the county commissioners have played such an instrumental role that Morris and the other two founders of Emerge, (which include Chris Adams of Narrow Path Plumbing and Doug Van Dyke of Van Martin Roofing), announced recently they will be dedicating the men’s section of the building to the commissioners with a plaque and a ribbon cutting ceremony at Emerge this spring.

Commissioners visit Emerge for update on renovations to the men’s space

In light of this and other news at Emerge, Commissioners Dick Gould, Tom Koogler and Rick Perales toured the facility last week. Emerge is located at the former Greene County Career Center on 48-acres of rural land that includes a large freshwater lake. During their visit, the commissioners were given an update on the renovation project to the men’s space. The project started last December after the commissioners unanimously approved a $1 million federal grant using ARPA funds.

“We like to say ‘yes,’ especially when it’s a great cause like this,” Commissioner Tom Koogler said. “This was a no-brainer. It seems like Emerge is going to be able to help with almost every major issue we currently have in the county in some way.”

Commissioner Gould said all three of them believe the model being implemented at Emerge could be applied throughout the nation.

“We are excited about this project,” Commissioner Gould said. “All three of us agreed on this. In fact, this is one of the few projects that we increased the initial amount for.”

Because of workforce shortages throughout the region and the escalating drug epidemic and homelessness problem, Commissioner Perales, who is president of the commission, said the timing of the project was perfect, and he hopes to see the place open soon. He also feels Emerge has the potential to help a lot of people needing help and has donated personally to Emerge out of pocket.

“I’d love to see this place featured on the evening news,” Perales said. “We are proud of what you are doing here!”

In addition to the commissioners, Al Kuzma at the Greene County Building Department, the Greene County Economic Development team and the Mental Health Recovery Board of Clark, Greene & Madison Counties have also played instrumental roles in helping the project.

“It’s really been comforting and encouraging knowing that we have support from MHRB,” said Nathan Crago, clinical director at Emerge. “They’re such a wonderful group of people who truly care about the residents of Greene, Clark, and Madison counties. I’m really looking forward to seeing how we can work together on this new venture out here at Emerge!”

With rising construction costs, Emerge encourages the public to lend their support

Tired of seeing the drug problem devastate the community while local companies struggle finding qualified skilled workers? If so, officials at Emerge invite community members to invest in this innovative model of recovery and foster care emancipation, where everything will be under a single roof.

“What is the value of giving a member of our community hope, healing and a second chance?” said Elaine Bonner, Director of Philanthropy at Emerge. “Every dollar you invest, leads someone on a path of long-term recovery with the opportunity for vocational training in a career with great potential.”

The career paths people completing Emerge will enter are careers in which their skills are in high demand.

“The Miami Valley is a generous community and has been a place where many grass roots efforts have filled a definite need within the community. Emerge is one more example of people coming together to tackle some important issues,” Mrs. Bonner said. “Emerge will be an important strategy to building the workforce among a group of individuals who are often underrepresented — those with less than stellar backgrounds.”

In addition to donating money to Emerge, as a nonprofit, people interested in helping can volunteer and partner with Emerge. If nothing else, the founders say they also encourage prayer.

Homeowners and business owners needing services performed can show their support by hiring Five Star Home Services, Narrow Path Plumbing, and Van Martin Roofing for all their HVAC, plumbing, electrical and roofing needs — as these leading companies directly funnel a portion of their proceeds into Emerge, while providing quality services at low prices.

To follow the progress of Emerge, please visit emergerecoverytrade.com or contact Elaine Bonner at 937.974.6120.

From the left, Commissioners Dick Gould and Tom Koogler review building plans with the foreman, John Dillon, at Emerge while Commissioner Rick Perales and Emerge cofounders Kip Morris and Chris Adams look on.

What is Emerge Recovery & Trade Initiative?

Located at the former Greene County Career Center on 48-acres of rural land, Emerge is the world’s first vocational program for people in recovery and youth aging out of foster care.

Once it is fully operational, Emerge will have 50 beds for men, 50 beds for women and 25 beds for youth aging out of foster care on site with wide range of transitional housing options available off site. Emerge will serve people from all over Ohio and train them into sustainable careers in the skilled trades sector. The facility, which is located at 2960 W. Enon Road, Xenia, will also include a coffee shop, a fitness center, a diner, outdoor recreation, several state-certified trade schools, a call center, several community partners, future plans for a restaurant with catering and much more.

Emerge started in 2021, when Kip Morris, CEO of Five Star Home Services partnered with Chris Adams of Narrow Path Plumbing and Doug Van Dyke of Van Martin Roofing to purchase the property and create the nonprofit. Narrow Path later became the founding member of Five Star Plumbing Group, which currently operates out of Emerge alongside several other Five Star companies and other local businesses.

Once the place is fully operational, the blueprint for this first facility is designed to be fully self-sustaining and replicable; it is likely going to be used throughout the state with the potential to be used in other parts of the nation as well because of the current workforce crisis.