Testimonials

Men's House

After attending a residential program, it was important for me to continue my recovery in a safe and supportive environment. The House of Extra Measures provided the right amount of structure to transition into the life that I live today. I will be forever grateful for the experience that I’ve had being a part of the house.

– Jacob C. – Resident

I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the generosity you have shown my son and I. I want you to know it is greatly appreciated. I still can remember my conversation with you when I was at a low point, not knowing what to do about my son transitioning to a sober living home. First, I didn’t know much about them and thought they were all the same. I have since learned differently. I consider you “GOD SENT” as He heard my cries and prayers that day. I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus for where my son and his family are today. I met with my son’s counselor today and she told me “if I had a kid that had to go to a sober home I would definitely chose HOUSE OF EXTRA MEASURES- it is a great place with great successes.” So you can see why I say God placed you in my path that day I called you.

– Dolores H. – Mother

We will always be so grateful for what House of Extra Measures and its extraordinary “tough love” was able to do for our family and we hope that you are able to continue to see the fruits of your love. I know that a year ago, I would not have believed that he would be back in school and studying so hard to have a great future. We have you and John to partly thank for that and we are grateful. The rest of the glory goes to God who continues to watch over us and keep us safe. Please keep me on your email list and touch bases once in awhile. You will always be on my prayer list forever knowing that the work you are doing is work that saves lives of young men who would otherwise be lost to us. We can never say enough for what you and John did for our family. Thank you is not enough. Just keep doing what you do!

– Janelle F. – Mother

I came to The House of Extra Measures a desperate, lost soul after fighting my addiction for seven painful years. I knew that I had to make a choice, either I was going to let my disease continue to kill me or I was going to face it head-on and live, and I chose life. My start to learning to live again started at “Extra Measures”, and I am eternally grateful to Ralph and John for showing me the path to not only live in recovery but to walk through life with integrity. Living at the house taught me not only the importance of honesty, accountability and responsibility, it showed me how to walk through life with these values everyday. I walked into those doors a young man hoping to stay sober, and was given so much more. Today I am becoming the man I always wanted to be, and that is a priceless gift I have to attribute directly to the lessons I learned while living at the house. Looking back now, I can clearly see that making the decision to go live at The House of Extra Measures was the best decision I have ever made. It saved my LIFE.

Lee J. – Resident

Womens House

Just a note of thank you to the staff and ladies of the House of Extra Measures for the help and support that was given to my daughter during her stay at your facility. At the time my daughter came to Extra Measures she and our family were at a crossroads in her recovery as much as our daughter needed a different environment so did her father and I. Our family was broken and I feel that Extra Measures gave each of us the hope and tools needed to turn brokenness into hopefulness. My daughter has formed friendships with many of the ladies that will last for years to come and has given her a new sense of confidence. We are still a work in progress but thanks to your wonderful facility I feel much more encouraged about our chances for success. Thank you for all you do.

– N. J. – Mother

When I first came to the House of Extra Measures, I was lost. I didn’t know how to communicate in a healthy manner, love myself or live sober. Being in a safe home while learning all of these things was essential to my sobriety. Randy Jo’s house was the solid foundation on which I built my way into a sober life. This house will create memories that will not only last forever but will help you become to woman you always know you could be.

– Lyndee P. – Resident

When I entered treatment for alcoholism I knew a stay for a few weeks wouldn’t provide the foundation I needed to achieve long-term sobriety. At House of Extra Measures I have not only started to build upon what I learned in treatment but have also allowed Randy Jo and my housemates to help me discover what it means to be a true friend, productive employee and good mother in sobriety. The Promises have come true for me on so many levels during my stay: HEM has provided the support I need to continue focusing on my 12-Step program while dealing with life on life’s terms. I have no doubt I would not be sober today without God’s grace in leading me to this extraordinary home.

– Tatum J. – Resident

The House of Extra Measures for Women became my home at a time when I was feeling lost, alone, and desperate for a place to call home. Randy Jo welcomed me with loving arms when I shared with her my story of addiction and hardship. The women in the house became my sisters in recovery. We meditated in the morning, cooked dinner, and went to meetings together. We shared our lives with one another-tears of both sadness and happiness. When I felt ready and with Randy Jo’s support, I ventured out and found my own apartment to call home. Almost five years later, I can look back and thank Randy Jo and the House of Extra Measures for giving me a place to call home and a foundation for a healthy recovery lifestyle in my hometown–Houston, Texas.

– Elizabeth S. – Resident

Recovery Coaches

Recovery coaching was very important to my growth in recovery. The short term goals kept me on track and motivated. The recovery capitals that pertained to each goal showed me that I am not hopeless and even though I’m starting from rock bottom I still have something to offer.

– HOEM Women, October 2015

My experience with recovery coaching has been very interactive and uplifting. I have not only felt comfortable being authentic, but perhaps more importantly I have felt comfortable being vulnerable. When sharing my tough life experiences, fears and even successes with [my recovery coach], she has always been receptive and non-judgmental. She had a story or a lesson she learned to help me process my own circumstances. It was important to me to feel like I was not alone in what I was confronting in myself, and that is absolutely what I got in recovery coaching. She helped me understand and integrate the notion of “progress not perfection,” and to set realistic and attainable goals for myself.
For example, with her help I have become an active member in yoga studios, made friends and a developed a great sober support system, started back to college and I have even created a written 5-year plan for myself! Those accomplishments would mean little without the honesty, courage, persistence, willingness, perspective and wisdom I have gained through working with [my recovery coach]. I am able to get feedback and support as I try to carry out my goals, which is important when I feel stuck or just when I want someone to share in my accomplishment. My experience has been fantastic, and I also feel like I have gained a valuable friend in the process.

– HOEM Women, January 2016

I think Recovery Coaching Goal setting has helped me tremendously in putting things down on paper in a way that I never have before. In fact, I have started to use that in my personal life; in regards to setting a goal then deciding on what steps I would need to take to get there.
If you would have asked me early on what I thought of this place, Recovery Coaching, and my time here I could have written a thesis on everything that was wrong and every reason why I didn’t belong here, but after being here now over 6 months — and I give full credit to God for keeping me here –I can honestly say that I feel like I consciously have my power of choice back now for the very first time in my life, and that if I do pick up another drink or drug that it will be a conscious decision, whereas before, looking back, it was like I didn’t have a choice.

– HOEM Women, December 2015