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The Clark County Council permitted a 5-year lease renewal for Grace Lodge, a girls’s restoration residence owned and operated by XChange Restoration.
Since 2010, XChange Restoration has leased the property, 6702 N.E. Septan Drive, simply north of Battle Floor, from Clark County. The nonprofit has supplied a whole bunch of girls transitional housing and assist attending to the subsequent step of substance-use restoration.
“Many women who once felt trapped in addiction, absent from their families and burdening our health care and justice systems, they are now thriving,” XChange Restoration founder Vicky Smith advised the council Tuesday. “Today, they are beautiful, amazing community members. Many are working, paying taxes, owning homes and reunited with their children.”
Clark County initially bought the property with Conservation Futures funds to protect it as pure habitat.
In early 2023, dozens of individuals spoke at a particular Clark County Council assembly to share how Grace Lodge modified their lives after an announcement that the restoration residence’s lease would finish. The county had rezoned the property, and XChange Restoration’s continued use of Grace Lodge would have required a conditional use allow.
XChange Restoration sought authorized assist and advocated to the council for rezoning or help to find an answer. After public testimony and rising consciousness of the rising fentanyl disaster, county councilors questioned the choice and pushed for a collaborative answer.
On Tuesday, a handful of XChange Restoration workers and former residents spoke to the council. Kelly Phillips, a former Grace Lodge resident who now works for XChange Restoration, thanked the county for approving the brand new, 5-year lease settlement and permitting the restoration residence to remain open.
“I can’t help but think of all the lives that wouldn’t have been impacted … had we not been allowed to keep Grace Lodge and continue to the work that we’ve been able to do,” Phillips mentioned.
Since 2023, the nonprofit has had a short lived lease with the county.
The brand new lease covers 1½ acres surrounding a 7,568-square-foot constructing. The constructing is split into two sections: one utilized by XChange Restoration workers and their households and the opposite designated for ladies taking part within the residential housing program.
Beneath the lease, XChange Restoration is required to pay $500 monthly plus lease excise taxes. The lease additionally outlines particular upkeep duties and deadlines that XChange Restoration should meet.
A portion of the upkeep checklist has been accomplished, and the opposite portion will likely be accomplished throughout the lease, Smith mentioned. She added that by the assistance of volunteers and donated supplies, XChange Restoration has been in a position to full about $650,000 in renovations.
The 5-year lease will enable XChange Restoration to assist extra girls in restoration with no interruptions, Smith mentioned.
If You Go
What: XChange Restoration’s “Yay! We Get to Stay!” Grace Lodge Lease Renewal Celebration
When: 3 p.m. Could 29
The place: Grace Lodge, 6702 N.E. Septan Drive, Battle Floor
Data: 844-777- 9242
“We get phone calls on a daily basis from people that want help or from family members of loved ones that they want help for,” Smith advised The Columbian. “This place will exist now to be able to help those women that want help, that want real change. Now, that help will be here.”
