Jill’s Place Retreat Center
About Jill’s Place Retreat Center
Nestled at the end of a long gravel driveway down an idyllic country road in Alva, Florida sits Jill’s Place Retreat Center, home to the Justin’s Place Women’s Recovery Program. Initially founded for men in 2010, the Justin’s Place Recovery Program expanded to include female residents in 2013. After searching for a permanent place to call their own for many years, this 11-acre property is an answer to prayers.
- Jill’s Place is a faith-based, residential program for women suffering from drug and alcohol addiction.
- The Jill’s Place Retreat Center operates at full-capacity, housing 32 women year round.
- Only 25% of Jill’s Place applicants get into the program due to limited capacity.
- Women stay in Alva for at least 5 months in a program that is individualized, spiritual, and holistic.
- Residents receive a robust gardening, agro-forestry, and poultry/egg production curriculum.
- Budget is over $500,000 annually, which includes four full time staff.
- Jill’s Place staff salaries are subsidized by St. Matthew’s House social enterprises (thrift stores, cafés, etc).
- Since launching the program in August 2017, over 20 women have graduated.
- St. Matthew’s House addiction recovery programs boast an 87% success rate two years after graduation.
- At least 100% more women and children could be served annually by adding adequate family housing.
- At least 300% more women could be served annually by adding facilities for 100 more individual beds.
For more information about the Justin’s Place Recovery Program, please contact our intake coordinator at 239-687-7633 or intake@stmatthewshouse.org.
Jill’s Story
Jill Wright was born November 17th, 1971 and grew up in Michigan with her parents and brothers. She graduated from the University of Florida and was a member of the St. Rafael Catholic Church in St. Petersburg. She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt, and friend. Her life was marked by the things she loved; tennis, running, and cheering for the Gators. She was gentle, creative, compassionate, thoughtful and she loved animals. Her biggest love and deepest care was for her family.
Like many others, Jill struggled with alcohol. She passed away in January 2017 after a tragic accident. Jill was on the waiting list for entry into St. Matthew’s House addiction recovery program.
Taking what could have been a time of bitterness, Jill’s family turned their situation and loss of their beloved daughter into a legacy of hope.
The Wright Family partnered with St. Matthew’s House to open Jill’s Place Retreat Center. Their generous gift enables women to have quicker access to St. Matthew’s House life transforming programs.