A new recovery residence planned near the town of Tazewell will give women a local place to live as they rebuild their lives after opioid addiction.
For people comparing addiction treatment options in this part of Virginia, the project addresses a shortage of nearby recovery housing and the difficulty of traveling more than an hour for help.
A Hope and Future Ministry plans to operate the residence in partnership with Tazewell County. Co-founder Corey Sparks told Cardinal News that the goal is to open by the end of November, making it the county’s first recovery residence of its kind for women.
Addiction Treatment Options Close to Home
Tazewell County is buying a house and 12 acres near Cavitts Creek Park for about $460,000. County Administrator Eric Young said the money will come from opioid settlement funds allocated directly to the county.
The board of supervisors approved the purchase in early October after a committee studied possible uses for the settlement money. The county will own the property and lease it to the nonprofit for $1 a year. That arrangement allows the county to retain the building and seek another operator if the ministry can no longer run the residence.
The home is expected to accommodate as many as 12 women, with plans to eventually increase capacity to 15. Residents may stay up to 18 months at a cost of $1,500 a year.
The founders said they will seek church sponsorships for women who cannot pay the full amount. Donations, grants, and revenue from the ministry’s downtown Tazewell thrift store will provide additional funding.
Why Local Recovery Housing Matters
Jill Howell, who co-founded A Hope and Future Ministry with Sparks, said women currently have to drive more than an hour to reach a recovery facility. That distance can separate them from family and friends and discourage some from seeking help.
The regional need is substantial. Virginia Department of Health data cited by Cardinal News show 385 reported opioid overdose deaths were reported over five years across 10 counties and two cities in far Southwest Virginia. About one-fifth of those deaths were among Tazewell County residents.
A 2025 state report counted about 33 accredited recovery residences across an area including Southwest and Southside Virginia, the lowest total among five regions defined by the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.
The new home is seeking state certification, but that process was still underway when the article was published.
Services and Expectations at the Residence
The ministry plans to contract with counselors and work with other organizations to provide job training and life-skills instruction. A greenhouse and a possible dog-boarding business could give residents work experience and structured activities on the property.
Women may be referred by courts, the local social services department, churches, or other nonprofits. They can also apply on their own. The founders have personal recovery experience and said their faith shaped the organization’s mission. Residents will be required to attend church services, an important expectation for prospective residents to understand before applying.
A recovery residence is not the same as detox, inpatient rehab, or an addiction treatment center. It provides housing and recovery support, while clinical services may be delivered by outside professionals. People with withdrawal risk or urgent medical needs should seek an appropriate medical assessment rather than relying on housing alone.
Understanding Opioid Addiction
Opioid addiction, clinically called opioid use disorder, can involve strong cravings, increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and continued use despite problems with health, work, finances, or relationships. A person may also find it difficult to cut back even when they want to stop.
These signs of addiction do not determine which service someone needs. A qualified clinician can assess whether medication, counseling, withdrawal management, mental health care, or recovery housing should be part of a plan. Medication treatment and peer support can also continue while someone lives in recovery housing.
Local Resources and Next Steps
Women considering the residence can ask A Hope and Future Ministry about applications, certification status, counseling arrangements, costs, sponsorships, and the church-attendance requirement. Court and social-services referrals are accepted, but a referral is not the only way to apply.
Tazewell County is also working with Fairview Housing to identify a location for a men’s recovery residence. Young said about $1.5 million in opioid settlement funds would remain after the women’s property purchase, with some money intended for the men’s project and possible renovations to the women’s home.
You can do a search of addiction treatment centers in Virginia or drug rehabs in Virginia to compare clinical programs by location, services, and payment options.
When comparing addiction treatment options, confirm directly whether a listing offers clinical treatment, recovery housing, or both.