WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

It’s a HOME, not a house, where my son was embraced with supportive recovery, direction, structure and most importantly, unconditional love. Our job as parents, at this point, is done. It’s time now to follow our own recovery plan and get out of our and their way. there’s no better HOME then Independence Lodge for this to happen.

Independence Lodge is exactly what you need or are looking for if you are looking to go to a recovery house. The brotherhood is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, and I couldn’t be more grateful. The houses are immaculate, the house meetings, management, and the structure make it perfect. The owner Bryan Kennedy isn’t in it just for the money. He wants to see the guys in his house strive for greatness, get a job, a sponsor, a home group and most importantly go through the 12 steps that will ultimately change their life. This program if taken seriously has the chance to make someone the person they are capable of being as a recovered alcoholic or drug addict. Without Independence Lodge I don’t know where I’d be. I’m only 19 and coming up on a year sober. I couldn’t be more grateful.

As a reporter who visited Independence Lodge last year to interview young men in recovery who were following their stays at rehabs in sober living homes, I liked what I saw right away. First, there were the houses themselves. In one, there is a mirror with a sign next to it that says, “The person responsible for my recovery,” with an arrow pointing to the mirror. As a person in recovery myself, I liked that. Then there were the multiple common areas. It was clear some of these large rooms could have had walls installed to create additional smaller bedrooms, which, in turn, would create more income for the ownership. But part of the Independence Lodge philosophy is to foster an environment to encourage healthy interaction and discourage isolation, which can be dangerous for someone in early recovery. But a house is not a home, which leads me to the residents and house managers at The Lodge. Everyone, staff included, is in recovery. The sense of accountability is surpassed only by the sense of community that I witnessed. I saw a real team effort taking place, which allows the residents a great opportunity to attain that critical first six to 18 months of sobriety. The residents attend support group meetings together, and they recreate together as well. And when a formerly estranged family arrives for a visit with their loved one as their relationship starts to get repaired – which happens regularly – all the residents of the house share in that joy as well. Bottom line: I’ve seen a lot of these kinds of houses. If my son were in need of a sober living environment, I would send him to Independence Lodge.

I have found that Independence Lodge functions with great integrity in the sober living industry. I have no doubt that every client I refer to Independence Lodge Sober Living is treated with dignity, respect and fairness. I welcome the families I work with to tour Bryan’s houses and access him at any time, day or night, via his personal cell number which he kindly extends to all in need. If ever I have a male loved one in need of support, structure and a self-esteem boost I’d send him to iLL.

I moved to Independence Lodge after the program was specifically and strongly recommended to me by my counselor in treatment. The first thing that stood out to me when I arrived was how large, clean and well kept the house was. Thanks to the guidance of the guys in the house, I dove head first into my recovery. I eventually took on a management position at the house which was my way of giving back to a program that helped me immensely and probably saved my life. While at Independence Lodge I have found brothers I never had, and made friendships that will last me a lifetime.

I have worked with Independence Lodge since they opened their doors. I have sent many males through their recovery homes in Lower Bucks County. They are a pleasure to work with. From the cleanliness of the homes, to the accessibility of the staff, to the camaraderie of the residents, I would certainly say the experiences I have had with them are very positive ones.

I came to Independence Lodge in March of 2014. I had enjoyed periods of sobriety before, but once again found myself back at the familiar and uncomfortable spot of being sober and miserable as well. I knew I needed a change and Independence Lodge was highly recommended by people who are in recovery and whose opinion I valued and trusted. I was immediately welcomed into a beautifully maintained and clean home and I instantly felt a sense of brotherhood. All of my fears and anxiety disappeared quickly as I started on the path of learning to be responsible, respectful and considerate of not only myself, but of others around me. I learned how to take suggestions from older members in the house and how to be useful to newer members as they came in the same door. My experience at Independence Lodge Sober Living was exactly what I needed and the experience of Bryan, Greg and the management team has proved invaluable to me as I continue in this process. I am a better man because of my experience at the Lodge, and for that I am truly grateful.