People who live in the South Bay have a new place to turn for help in overcoming drug and alcohol addiction. Volunteers of America have been on a six year journey to find the perfect location in National City.
Built in the 1970s as a skilled nursing facility, this newly refurbished building is now home to Volunteers of America West rehabilitation center.
"The people that walk through our doors are someone's son, someone's daughter, someone's husband or wife and we approach every person that walks through our doors as if it is a family member of someone that we know," CEO Gerald McFadden said.
McFadden said the treatment center is strategically located across the street from Paradise Valley Hospital. "So we can build a partnership that would allow us to be able to be a resource to each other."
Volunteers of America is a non-profit health and human services organization founded in 1896. Its residential recovery service is open to men and women with or without health insurance. It blends a combination of medical, psychological and peer counseling to help people overcome drug addiction.
The 120 beds are for short and long-term stays and the center also includes a commercial kitchen to eventually train clients in the food services industry. The rehab center was formally located downtown, but because of all the redevelopment issues, it was time to find a new home.
"So we think it's a great fit for the medical community, it's a great fit for the individual suffering with addiction, and we think it's a great fit for National City and the County of San Diego," McFadden said.
The recovery and treatment center officially opens to clients on Thursday July 12. United Healthcare invested more than $5 million to help with cosmetic and safety upgrades.
