House of Mercy Duluth and Millie’s House of Hope are non-profit organizations that offer safe and sober living spaces for folks who are going through recovery.

On Saturday, August 17, House of Mercy hosted a cookout fundraiser catered by Rome’s Ribs to help residents as they transition into the clean-living spaces.

“When you come out of recovery or when you come out of prison and you’re trying to get back into society, there’s things you need. And what we do as House of Mercy, we supply those things, whether it’s a laptop or whether it’s a cell phone or it’s paying for your internet for a few months or whether it’s just household things that you need.” Said Clinton Strother, who works for House of Mercy.

Strother explains that helping with internet was especially important, as it can be hard to find or even apply for a job without it nowadays.

Money raised from the cookout went to help pay for this, along with other necessity items like hygiene kits and housewares – things folks in a transitional state might not have. Money was collected through donations as well as the sale of raffle tickets.

For sober home residents like Jessica Manske, having somewhere supportive and stable to live has made all the difference in her recovery journey.

“It gives me a safe place to be while I get back into employment and get my life back together. And without that, I wouldn’t be able to do what I’m doing. It just really sets us up for success.” Manske explained, saying that the sober living home gave her hope for the future, something she didn’t have before.

Donations to House of Mercy Duluth and Millie’s House of Hope can be made on their website.