In New Britain, a team of husband-and-wife pastors work at a place called New Life II to help people on drugs reintegrate into their communities.
For Pastors Evelyn and Dana Smith, every day in New Britain is about helping people through their Community Outreach Center on West Main Street.
Together they run New Life II, the state’s first Black-owned, faith-based, peer-led recovery center. There, we work with people trying to break free from addiction, those in recovery, and those struggling with everyday challenges. -Everyday life.
It’s a job they’re entitled to because they’ve struggled with addiction themselves for decades.
Last year through community centers and since 2016 in separate recovery homes, we are working to provide the resources for non-judgmental recovery to the hundreds of people we serve.
“Before they came here, they already heard that you were drinking too much. They already heard that you were using too much. “What do you need?” said Pastor Dana Smith.
“We are helping our neighbors deal with mental health, addiction, trauma, school feeding services, food pantries and whatever else they need,” said Reverend Evelyn Smith.
Customers can connect to recovery housing and job programs, use phones and computers, get clean clothes and bus passes.
They chose the name New Life in honor of the recovery facility of the same name as where they met, and in wanting to give opportunity to everyone who comes through their door.
“We’re here to give them new life…more than just a bed,” Evelyn said.
