When Scottie Bowman won her battle with addiction, she knew she wanted to do something related to recovery. It wouldn’t be until a few years later that she would get the idea to turn a rental home of hers into a recovery house. Scottie set to work to remodel the five bed, three bath home into what it is today, The Launch Pad. A friend of Bowman’s helped her come up with the name and the Launch Pad has been launching women into recovery and into a new life ever since.
In the two years since the Launch Pad opened its doors, the organization has come a long way. Through word of mouth, Bowman was able to organize a Board of Directors, obtain 501(c)(3) status, purchase additional land, and build a second home with a generous donation from Karen Hutton. Launch Pad No. 2 officially opened in June of this year. Scottie and the Board have crafted an inspiring vision for The Launch Pad and the women who seek healing in these homes.
The Launch Pad aims to help women overcome their addictions and heal their families. The Launch Pad is approved by local drug courts and parole boards. They have very strict rules to stay compliant and to ensure the women are successful with their treatment plans. Women must have a sponsor before setting up residence in the home, which Bowman says is because it is important for the women to learn how to self-advocate and ask for help. It’s not always easy, but it’s the first step towards healing.
The women are not left to fight this fight alone. Kelly Weber, who is five years sober herself, is reaching back to help bring women to a place of healing. Kelly lives on site, helps the women find employment, assists with setting up family visitations, arranges for travel when needed, and helps them to reintegrate into society.
Launch Pad residents attend community-based AA and NA meetings along with weekly house meetings where the twelve steps and other materials are addressed and reinforced. Many companies and small businesses throughout Chattanooga have also stepped forward to welcome women who need employment. If you are a business owner who would like to be considered for employment placement, Bowman welcomes the opportunity to discuss possible placements.
From its inception two years ago, the Launch Pad has housed 37 women. The Launch Pad, and all involved, are in the business of getting families back together. Scottie says, “If you heal the woman, you heal the family.” To do this, the organization has reached out to the community for assistance providing medical and dental procedures, make-overs, clothes donations, and other items the women need during their time in the home. Through the generosity of the community, they have been able to help women heal, grow, and reintegrate into their families and the community.
The Launch Pad now has two homes for women to begin their journey to healing, but Bowman says they are not stopping there. The organization hopes to team up with other organizations to obtain donations where they can provide business attire for interviews. Scottie says the ultimate goal is to have five homes that will hold up to eight to ten women at a time and to build a low-income six-plex where women can live with their families when they are ready.
Scottie and the Board are also looking forward to the day when they can build a Healing House that would be a community multi-use house. There, they would be able to hold meetings, visits, and host life skills classes to set the women up for success after they leave The Launch Pad.
If you would like to get involved or would like more information, please reach out to The Launch Pad by phone (423) 902-4822 or by email at help@lpchatt.org.