About

In 2010 the Stephen Schnellenberger Foundation for Sober Living raised over $15,000.00 to help over 20 men begin their journey into their new life of recovery. We want to thank each and every one of you who donated to this worthwhile cause. However, the problem of drug and alcohol addiction and the high cost of long term treatment are not going away anytime soon.

This year we have decided to team up with the ALMA Foundation (www.almafoundation.net). This partnership has resulted in the creation of the Stephen Schnellenberger Fund for Sober Living, a designated fund of the ALMA Foundation, a 501(C)3 non-profit charity.  With their years of experience, raising on average over $1,000,000.00 a year since 2006, we truly believe they can help us further the cause.

The Stephen Schnellenberger Fund for Sober Living, will continue to be a charity with the mission to provide men in need of financial assistance help for admittance to a sober transitional living facility,  We will also strive to create housing, making sure these individuals have a secure place to go. This mission is accomplished through a scholarship program, which provides assistance to eligible men who cannot afford the critical aftercare provided by a sober living facility. The Stephen Schnellenberger Fund for Sober Living supports sober transitional living facilities that supports its residents by advocating full immersion in Alcoholics Anonymous and enforcing guidelines designed to reflect the foundational principles of AA.

George Soros' Open Society Institute introduced the initiative, “Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap”.

In 2009, “Closing the Gap” sponsored a poll, which found that:

• Three-quarters of Americans (76%) know someone personally who has been addicted to alcohol or drugs. Personal experience with addiction spans all demographic groups.
• Half of Americans (49%) do not think they would be able to afford the costs of treatment if they or a family member needed it. This concern is highest among Americans with income under $50,000 (67% say they would not be able to afford treatment)
• Three-quarters (75%) of Americans are concerned that people who are addicted to alcohol or drugs may be unable to get treatment because they lack insurance coverage or cannot afford it.₁

Involvement in a sober transitional living facility is the most vital component of a successful aftercare program. A sober transitional living facility offers individuals the requisite support and guidance, within the context of safety and understanding, to establish and maintain a lifelong commitment to sober, responsible, independent living. According to nine years of admissions statistics at one local transitional living facility, out of the 1800 residents, one out of four have needed to use the indigent program to cover their initial move in costs. There is a need to fill this ever-growing gap. As an effective and economical alternative to inpatient treatment, transitional living is a bridge across which addicts and alcoholics seeking recovery walk from destitution to self-sufficient, healthy living. It is the mission of the Stephen Schnellenberger Fund to facilitate building this bridge and give every alcoholic, addict and family the opportunity to recover.

The basis of Alcoholics Anonymous is, “One Alcoholic helping another”. We cannot do this alone. We need your help.

[1] Open Society Institute/Lake Research Partners. Study Shows Majority of Americans Support Efforts to Make Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment more Accessible, Affordable. June 2009. Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap. http://www.soros.org/initiatives/treatmentgap