Bringing Hope to Many

Jared doesn’t just work at The Healing Place of New Hanover County. He also used to live here. More than most, he understands the support, hope, and strength offered to everyone who takes the first step through their doors. Trillium Health Resources helped open The Healing Place in Wilmington so that hundreds of others could have the same choice as Jared: to live a life “where hope is found.”

As the Men’s Program Manager, Jared spends his days creating the structure that guides people in search of recovery through the program. Serving 200 people (100 men and 100 women), this program is unique. From the low barrier entry, to the typical 12-18 month stays for residents, The Healing Place has taken a different path to recovery that has proven to be extremely successful.

When a person decides their addiction no longer deserves its hold on them, it’s crucial to give them that chance as soon as they decide to stop. Even a ten-minute pause may give them the chance to change their mind. At The Healing Place, you can start the program immediately after finishing the onsite, non-medical detox facility. Once people get a glimpse of what recovery can look like, many choose to stay. From July 2025 through June 2026, Trillium referred 364 people to Healing Transitions in Raleigh, another facility modeled after the same program as The Healing PlaceH. Out of those, 199 made the decision to start building a new future. All at no cost to them. Hundreds are making the same choice in Wilmington.

The first few weeks at The Healing Place, while hopeful, are also tough. Members take daily walks, known as “The Trudge,” with their peers to off-site meetings. This initiation starts shaping the relationships that will be with them at the start of their recovery. The exercise, time outside in nature, and comradery all help sharpen their new focus. They also have joint sleeping areas, similar to a military barracks, that reiterates the level starting point that is so important to The Healing Place philosophy.

Once residents have completed a set number of classes and met other goals, they are given the opportunity to take on new responsibilities and incentives. Semi-private bedrooms offer more space for their new belongings or a moment alone with their thoughts. Accepting a position to cook for the other residents starts renewing confidences that may have been broken. While it may no longer be “The Trudge,” they are still taking steps, every day, back to the person they want to be again.  

Any place with 100 roommates is bound to have conflict. At The Healing Place, residents get to decide what infractions can be forgotten and which should have consequences. This accountability is another vital lesson provided here. Through learning that their actions matter, they learn that they matter, too. When a missed kitchen shift means another resident must work an extra hour, having accountability shows they recognize the impact of their absence. Eventually, this accountability will grow beyond minor infractions or rules and extend to choices they could make with more lasting consequences.

Many recovery programs have only 30- or 60-day commitments. There are some benefits and take aways residents may retain from these programs, but they rarely last. One of the greatest gifts of The Healing Place is that residents determine their length of stay. They may feel ready at nine months, comfortable at 12 months, or graduate at 18 months. This extended time allows them to more deeply develop the tools, skills, and empowerment to take the most important step into long-term recovery.  

It took a long time to build The Healing Place of New Hanover County, literally and figuratively. With every brick, and every set back, Trillium knew the end result would be more than worth it. Seeing Jared and every resident who has completed this program reach their goals gives hope to everyone considering recovery.