House of Pearls, a Union County nonprofit addressing women’s addiction, is seeking to expand its capacity after years of turning away applicants. The organization plans to build a residential treatment campus near Marshville that could double the number of women served and potentially open by year’s end.
Meeting Unmet Demand
Over the last five to six years, House of Pearls has received 853 women seeking admission to its 12-month program but has had space to serve only 150. The expansion would add up to 40 beds through a design consisting of four homes and a life center. Executive director Delois Carpenter explains the design philosophy: “The reason we set it up that way is, because the women heal better in a home, instead of it being one large building where it feels like a facility.”
A Personal Story of Recovery
Erica Sullivan grew up in York County and began using drugs during her junior year of high school. She was homeless at 18 and, in 2024, landed in Union County jail after two days of incarceration, she learned her older brother Chris had died from a fentanyl overdose. Sullivan is among House of Pearls’ current participants and credits the program with helping her secure a job, save money, and develop the tools to live without drugs.
Addressing Community Concerns
Union County commissioners held a public hearing on the rezoning request required for the project. Some neighbors raised concerns about traffic impact, but House of Pearls noted that women in the program cannot have cars on the property and will travel by bus shuttle. If commissioners approve rezoning, the organization plans to break ground immediately and have women move in by year’s end.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/organization-seeks-expand-addiction-treatment-women/75TMXBSM4JCTPGDDJYZGWNCWAU/