Founders: Gary Lamson & Charlie DeRoche
♦ (207)671-4753 ♦ Email Gary
Both Maine natives, this unlikely pair teamed up in 2011 with the goal of helping addicts and alcoholics of all different backgrounds and ideals – providing them with a safe environment to work on their sobriety. Sharing a common sponsor, they saw how the steps of AA transformed their lives, and wanted to watch others have the same experience as they did years ago. Gary stays actively involved with the house by leading discussion based group sessions, meeting with residents in a sponsorship role, and facilitating an ongoing weekly volunteer opportunity for the residents. Charlie’s legacy lives on since his passing in the fall of 2016. Gary is celebrating 20 years of recovery this year.
Pat Hamel, Director
♦ (351)356-6793 ♦ Email Patrick
Growing up in central Massachusetts, Pat never shied away from the challenges involved in learning and practicing the intricacies of the game he loved – baseball. But the struggles involved in confronting and defeating his 12-year drug and alcohol addiction was something far beyond what he had ever demanded of himself as a ball player or as a young man; initially, there was no “game plan” for this challenge. Coming face-to-face with his drug dependency in February of 2020, Pat eventually found truth in a phrase used within the 12-step literature, “No matter how far down the scale you have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.” Stumbling a few times in his efforts to find his way, Pat learned to reach out and accept help, persevered by acting on his new insights, and humbly resolved to open himself up to new relationships and a new experience that supported his reclaiming of his sobriety and his life. Moving to Providence Place in March of 2022 was a pivotal, defining event in Pat’s journey; truly honest with himself and his new community, Pat consciously and whole-heartedly embraced the house’s focus. The friendships he cultivated and shared with those within the tight-knit house, he committed himself to the common mission of lifting each other up, maintaining and thriving in their daily practical and spiritual goals. Pat credits the house’s adherence to and daily practice of the 12 Steps, his deep faith in God and God’s demonstrated guidance in his daily life, and his engaged service and sponsorship of others, has fundamentally rejuvenated his passion for life and helping him to define his life’s work, helping others who, like himself, are seeking a fulfilling life of sobriety and the peace of mind that it allows. As both a House Manager the past several months, and the current Director of Providence Place, Pat is a role model among the men of the house, actively and passionately practicing the principles, and supporting all to become whom God wants them to become in helping ourselves and others – every day. Through leadership and practical experience of service, unity, and recovery Pat has found purpose and a deep sense of gratitude for life and seeks to help others find a life worth living.
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Joshua R., Live-In Peer Leader
♦ (207)344-4736
Timothy S., Live-In Peer Leader
♦(484)469-1528
Alex C., Live-In Peer Leader
♦ (203)939-4944