ABOUT THE LOVELADY CENTER
Inspired by the founder’s own brush with the law in 2004, and her subsequent exposure to the “revolving door” phenomenon of the prison system, nonprofit The Lovelady Center (TLC) began as a prison Bible study group and has since developed into a long-term, faith-based rehab program for women. The stated mission of the Lovelady Center is to empower women from all walks of life to become fully functioning members of society and women of God.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
Although the long-term rehab serves women who have been involved in the criminal justice system and aims to prevent re-incarceration, women who have struggled with homelessness, addiction, and/or domestic abuse also find shelter here. Described as a “Whole Way House,” TLC provides women with nine to 12 months of spiritual counseling and life skills training on topics such as financial literacy, anger management, and relationship development. The center does not appear to offer any substance abuse counseling; rather, it offers spiritual counseling on a variety of topics designed to help clients lead healthy lives.
Alongside spiritual instruction, “Loveladies” receive three meals a day, health and dental care, access to a legal clinic, clothing and hygiene products, and on-site childcare. Educational services are also provided, including GED tutoring and college tutoring.
An aftercare program called KoKo, short for “Keep on Keeping on,” offers housing assistance, employment opportunities at TLC’s thrift stores, continuing education, 12-step meetings, Bible studies, and training that enables graduates to mentor future TLC residents.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
There is currently no information provided by the facility regarding its treatment staff, except that about 90 percent of staff are graduates of the program. The five individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com to date on the staff’s level of training and experience gave it an average rating of 3.6 out of five stars.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
Originally run out of the founder’s home, the facility now serves more than 450 women and children at a time from an adapted former hospital. Transportation services are provided 24 hours a day. The organization also operates two thrift stores, which provide employment for some of the residents.
There’s an on-site school for children aged between kindergarten and fifth grade, which addresses the academic and emotional needs of children whose mothers are attending TLC.
The five individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com to date on the center’s exercise and leisure offerings gave them an average rating of 3.4 stars, and the four individuals polled on the center’s cleanliness gave it a 3.25-star average.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Of the 11 alumni reviews submitted to Best-rehabs.com to date, four were positive, four were mixed, and three were negative. The positive reviewers repeatedly praised the support, help, and respect they found at the facility. In isolated praise, other reviewers praised the center’s aftercare program, strong faith basis, and employment support.
Reviewers also repeatedly described the facility as dirty. Lisa wrote in a representative review, “Food islop like in Prison. Bed bugs. filthy.” Lisa also mentioned another repeated complaint: that residents “come and go as they please.” G.T. wrote, “Too much freedom in and out.” In addition, reviewers repeatedly noted that they felt the center was lacking in counseling and treatment options for substance abuse. Pamela added, “I just think that there are a lot of ways to help an addict that were never covered while I was there.”
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Of the three reviews submitted to Best-rehabs.com to date, two were positive and one was mixed. The mixed reviewer echoed alumni complaints about lax rules on leaving and returning to the facility. C.S. wrote, “I felt as though there was insufficient security and feel like there should have been better rules.”
“Strong faith based, wonderful counseling, job training, education offered. They just need more financial backing, and a bigger facility,” an anonymous reviewer wrote, in the only other substantive comment submitted to Best-rehabs.com by a loved one at the time of this writing.
FINANCING
As a nonprofit, The Lovelady Center is funded through its two thrifts stores, as well as donations from individuals, foundations, and churches. The four individuals polled by Best-rehabs.com to date on the center’s affordability gave it an average rating of 3.75 out of five stars.