Neighbors told Father Joe’s Villages they wanted something more than shelter. They asked for a sober, structured space where recovery could be protected, routines could be built, and goals could be pursued with clarity and support.
Father Joe’s Villages listened.
When it became clear what it would take to meet this need, Father Joe’s Villages called out to the community to make it possible – a different path that meant stepping away from government funding models requiring fully open, low-barrier access and choosing instead to design a space shaped by what neighbors themselves said they needed to succeed. It was a bold shift, and it was the right one.
San Diego answered the call.
Through community investment, the Reaching Independence and Self-Empowerment (RISE) Sober Living Shelter has been open for 18 months as a place rooted in structure and purpose. Here, neighbors are supported in maintaining sobriety, building daily routines, and setting ambitious goals for their futures. RISE provides structure that creates momentum and helps residents move quickly toward housing, independence, and long-term stability.
RISE exists because neighbors spoke up, the Village listened, and donors believed in the vision. Because of this, 713 neighbors were supported through RISE Sober Recovery Housing, 68,974 nights of Sober Living Shelter were provided, and 27% of residents attained permanent housing. It is a living example of what becomes possible when innovation is guided by dignity, trust, and shared purpose. At Father Joe’s Villages, hope takes shape through believe in what is possible.
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