When Marsha Williamson first stepped foot into the Dallas 24 Hour Club in 2013, she saw that the building was in grave condition and was putting the long-term success of the local nonprofit in jeopardy. The state of the facility — coupled with her personal experience of a having a loved one suffer from addiction — motivated her to support The 24, which has been in operation since 1969.
Williamson initially joined The 24 as its development director in 2013, became its executive director in 2014, and was hired as CEO in 2017. Through her leadership and experience, Williamson spearheaded the effort to build a new 14,000 square-foot facility on Ross Avenue in 2018. The 75-bed home served 600 men and women during the first year of operation and has continued to serve a multitude since — 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
“The 24 offers immediate support to meet our residents’ physiological needs … a hot shower, fresh clothing, food for the first 30 days, linens, and toiletries throughout their stay, as well as free medical care through Parkland [Health & Hospital System],” Williamson says. “Recovery is also very key for the resident to be able to make the much-needed physic changes. The 24 offers 36 on-site recovery meetings per week, which are open to the community, and opportunities to link up with a community member for sponsorship. Sponsors are a key ‘ingredient’ to the goal of long-term.”
More key ingredients? A monthly steak dinner with salad, baked beans, a fully-loaded baked potato, live music, and fellowship.
“Our residents come to us broken, without any hope of finding a way out of their addictions, which have brought them to the point where they have lost the means to support themselves and have lost all their important relationships. The 24 steps in and offers them a brand-new start in a family-like environment, if they are willing to make recovery their top priority,” Williamson says.
Even after recovery, The 24 continues to provide support through the Tillman House, an 18-unit sober living apartment complex that’s strictly designated for graduates of its program. There, graduates adjust to a slightly less structured, yet staffed environment where they work to rebuild their relationships, manage their finances, and become employed. They’re also offered the opportunity to give back to the recovery community by serving new residents.
Support is a large factor in starting a fresh, sober life. Those in the Park Cities community can support the nonprofit during North Texas Giving Day on September 22, 2022, by joining Friends of the 24, or by attending events throughout the year.
“Our friends in the Park Cities have been incredible supporters of The 24. They have been most generous financially, with in-kind gifts, and with their time and talent,” Williamson says. “We would greatly appreciate our Park Cities friends and new Park Cities friends to continue to support The 24 in these ways.”
For more information, visit dallas24hourclub.org.