Big Fish Ministries South Baldwin women’s transitional home opens

Big Fish Ministries South Baldwin women’s transitional home opens
“The possibilities for how this facility will bless our area are many and have yet to be fully realized’’

Big Fish Ministries founder Isaac Stooksberry was onhand to welcome well wishers during a recent ribbon cutting for the ministry’s new South Baldwin County women’s transitional home. He said the community resource to help women in recovery is not only beautiful but also fills a great need, as it will provide Christ-centered recovery program availability to women while they transition from a residential recovery ministry back into mainstream society. “At Big Fish Ministries, we believe there is hope for every person and that hope is in Christ,’’ Stooksberry said at the opening. “Our goal is to produce independent, God-honoring, hard-working, law-abiding citizens who are contributing members of our community.’’ Since being founded in 2016, Big Fish Ministries has provided over 25,00 nights of shelter and over 86,000 meals, along with countless hours of recovery classes, counseling, case management, life-skills training and job readiness programs. Most of this transformation and preparation takes place through its 12-month, faith-based residential recovery program. “Because of our new women’s transitional home, we can now take in 6 to 8 more female recovery program residents at a time,’’ Stookesberry said. “At a time when overdose numbers are higher than ever before in the history of our country and the state of Alabama, this new community resource is needed more than ever before,’’ he added. Mobile County emergency rooms reported nearly 900 drug overdoses between January and November of 2020. Health and drug abuse leaders say the increase was in large part due to the lethal prevalence of fentanyl, plus the burdens and tensions of the pandemic. “Despite these alarming statistics, there is hope for those struggling with addiction,’’ Stookesberry said. “We’re very grateful for this new much-needed resource and excited about welcoming more women into our program who will be transformed into restored and whole people through the love of Jesus Christ. For many, that transformation process necessitates transitional living.’’ Stooksberry said for the final six months of the 12-month BFM recovery program, women in the program will move over to the transitional house while working full-time. Many of the women struggle as they re-enter mainstream society while they work towards from addiction and self-defeating behavior. “Staying accountable and free as they grow into independent and productive members of the community requires a lot of new growth and support,’’ Stookesberry said. “The possibilities for how this facility will bless our area are many and have yet to even be fully realized.’’