We Can Help

Our Story:

Created in 1994, Sober Living America has become one of the nation’s leading sober living organizations housing 2,000 individuals daily throughout 47 locations. Sober Living America was founded as a public charity with one Vision: “Let no person be turned away due to lack of money”. After witnessing individuals being denied help, our Founder, Jim deVarennes, had seen enough. Having found recovery through the 12 Steps and learning about the teachings of Christ, Jim left a successful insurance career to start Peachford House. Their Mission was simple – Connect people with the 12-Steps groups and help lead them into a growing relationship with God.

Housing individuals in recovery with no money or insurance and without government or private assistance was not easy. Peachford's leadership team quickly realized that recovering addicts faced major obstacles not only in recovery, but with food, clothing, transportation, life skills and employment. Peachford hired career advocates to help connect folks with gainful employment. They purchased passenger vans to help them get to work, to 12-Step meetings, and to Church. They developed education programs that included 12-Step and Christ centered education as well as life skills and leadership training. They created a food program that by 2002 was providing over 1,000 meals daily. To purchase food from local food banks, they created Sober Living America – a public 501 c3 charity. By 2007 – Sober Living America was providing 2,000 meals daily!

In 2010 Sober Living America took over the mission of Peachford House. Today Sober Living America continues to grow, bringing hope and services to families across the U.S.

About Sober Living America

Sober Living America was founded as a beckon of light to the suffering addict seeking help but lacking financial resources.

In 1994, Jim deVarennes, our Founder, dedicated himself to creating a pioneering residential recovery facility that offered treatment to individuals struggling with addiction, regardless of their financial situation. Initially starting as a small 5-bed facility in Atlanta, they rapidly expanded to 60 beds, becoming one of the largest facilities in Georgia. Recognizing the barriers faced by many in recovery when it came to finding employment, the leadership team at Sober Living America launched a jobs program, including the support of Career Advocates, transportation services, and a life skills program to enhance job readiness and placement assistance. They created a 12-Step and Christ focused treatment curriculum to help individuals break the chains of addiction.

History

2002, Sober Living America (SLA) was formed as a 501c3 nonprofit, to provide food and clothing (basic needs) to Peachford clients - services which are now provided by community partners.
2010, Sober Living America (SLA) took over the mission of Peachford House.
2015, SLA received their first funding ever, a $25,000 grant from the Scott Hudgens Foundation to open their Duluth, GA location.
2016, SLA created the “Friends Care” campaign to bring addiction education to college students and the public.
2018, SLA opened its 15th center in Spartanburg, SC offering 750 beds and serving over 5,000 individuals annually.
2019, SLA grew to 30+ cities, opened Greensboro 2, developed a curriculum for success, and established SLA University for training.
2020, SLA opened Texas with Houston and Dallas. Their region grew with Gainesville FL, Indianapolis, IL, Richmond, VA. The SLA Help Center was expanded to a new location.
2021, SLA has 1,600+ beds in 35+ cities and continues to grow. SLA opened Ohio with Cincinnati and Columbus, and also opened Dallas 2. SLA has future openings in St. Louis and Indianapolis 2.