Why this mission is so Important

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Help us reach the addicted and their families in Ohio. 

As of 2024, approximately 295 people die each day from drug overdoses in the United States. This figure is based on the latest estimates that around 107,500 people died from drug overdoses in 2023. The majority of these deaths involve opioids, particularly synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which continues to drive the epidemic. 

The daily death toll underscores the ongoing public health crisis despite some efforts to reduce these numbers through harm reduction, treatment programs, and law enforcement initiatives. 

Ohio has been one of the areas in the U.S. most heavily affected by this epidemic. 

1. Opioid Use: A significant portion of Ohio’s population struggles with opioid addiction. According to the Ohio Department of Health, over 500,000 Ohioans were estimated to have an opioid use disorder at some point during the opioid crisis, particularly at its peak in the late 2010s.

2. Substance Use Disorder (SUD): According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), approximately 8-10% of Ohio’s population (roughly 850,000 to 1 million people) are estimated to struggle with some form of substance use disorder, including drugs and alcohol.

The unemployment rate among people in recovery from substance use disorders, including those who have recovered from drug addiction, is notably higher than the general population. While precise numbers fluctuate depending on various studies and local conditions, several reports highlight a range of 12% to 25% unemployment for individuals in recovery, significantly higher than the overall U.S. unemployment rate, which hovers around 3-4%.

1. Substance Use and Employment Challenges: A study from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicates that individuals in recovery often face barriers to employment, such as stigma, gaps in their work history, and the need for ongoing treatment or counseling.

2. The Role of Treatment: Employment rates tend to improve for those who have access to supportive services, such as vocational training or employment assistance programs, often lowering their unemployment risk compared to those without such resources.

3. Impact of Stable Employment on Recovery: Research has shown that stable employment improves the chances of long-term recovery, reducing the likelihood of relapse by providing a sense of purpose and stability.

Addressing this gap remains a key challenge in supporting those in recovery, with targeted programs focusing on vocational rehabilitation, anti-stigma efforts, and employer support being part of the broader solution.

Help is on the way! 

Imagine you finally fight your way out of the darkness that is addiction and you have hope for your future and your family and then you can’t find employment due to your past. We have met many people in this exact situation and many of them feel hopeless and end up falling back into addiction. 

Partnership 

Help us build Beverly Helping Hands Paint and Home Restoration Company into a thriving second-chance employer that offers hope to families affected by addiction. Our goal is to provide these individuals with employment and valuable career skills that empower them to rebuild their lives and pursue long-term recovery. We recognize that stable work can be a cornerstone in someone's journey to recovery, offering structure, purpose, and a path to personal and professional growth. But our mission goes beyond just job training; we aim to create a supportive environment where each job site becomes a place for discipleship, nurturing a relationship with Jesus, who we believe is the ultimate answer to overcoming addiction. By blending practical skills with spiritual guidance, we seek to make a lasting impact on both the individuals we serve and the broader community.

Housing

Many families, just like ours once was, are torn apart during the darkest moments of addiction. In these moments, every member of the family feels the weight of the struggle. God has given us a vision for *The Fathers House*—a sober living facility where families can stay together and heal together. This space will ensure that each person, from parents to children, gets the support and healing they deserve because addiction impacts everyone, not just the individual suffering. By providing this safe and supportive living environment, along with employment through Beverly Helping Hands, families will have the chance to stay united, build a solid foundation on Jesus, and find lasting freedom from addiction. This holistic approach will not only restore their lives but also empower them to become everything God has called them to be, making their own Kingdom impact.

Yes I want to help families affected by addiction gain; employment, life skills, housing and a relationship with Jesus! 

God Bless,

Jay and Steph Beverly

Beverly Urban Missionaries

Bum: a person who devotes a great deal of time to a specified activity

Urban: area of development within a city/ opposite of rural

John 17:23  I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

We are Jesus and discipleship bums who serve in the city of Fort Myers, and other cities, with a mission to be one with God and others so the world my know the Father has sent the Son!