CANTON — A two-story house on the corner of East Main and Church streets has been transformed into a well-furnished, inviting home for women recovering from alcohol or drug addiction or from an abusive situation.

Grace House, 11 E. Main St., opened Dec. 1 and is the only transitional living home available for women in St. Lawrence County, according to Carolyn M. White, chairwoman of New Hope Transformation Ministries Inc. of Potsdam.

“This is a plague (substance abuse) that has affected most families and households,” Ms. White said. “It brings a service for women in the county which now exists no closer than Watertown.”

An open house for the public is scheduled from 3 to 5 p.m. Feb. 7 that will include tours of the two-story home, brochures about Grace House and light refreshments. The home was previously used as a rectory for the adjacent Grace Episcopal Church.

Erin White, a 34-year-old native of Saranac Lake, who is not related to Carolyn White, was hired for the resident director job and has lived in the home since Nov. 19.

So far, one other woman is living in the home and there is room for five more age 18 or older. A male cat named Persia also resides there.

Erin E. White said her goal is to create a supportive, family-like environment in the home. She has spent several weeks painting, decorating and organizing the space. Signs with inspirational messages are displayed throughout the rooms such as “Be Strong, Be Courageous, Be Fearless.”

“I want to cultivate a sisterhood here. I want it to be open, transparent, kind of like a family atmosphere where we encourage and build one another,” she said.

As director, Erin White’s role will also involve providing structure to the women’s daily life, including involving them in meal planning and other chores. Mornings will start with a daily devotional and optional Bible studies will be held in the evenings. She will be responsible for conducting random drug and alcohol tests.

Women are supposed to be involved in work, school or other activities that help them achieve their goals.

“I’ll sit down and help them plan a course for their life and their future and hope to integrate them with community services,” she said.

Referral agencies have been contacted to make them aware that space is available at Grace House, including St. Joseph’s in Saranac lake, St. Lawrence Addiction Treatment Center in Ogdensburg, Canton-Potsdam Hospital, North Star Chemical Dependency in Franklin County, St. Lawrence County outpatient services and Credo Community Center, Watertown

The application process will involve meeting with the women to assess how motivated they are to change.

Carolyn White said the home is designed for women who have already spent time in rehabilitation or receiving outpatient services.

“It’s supposed to be that last bridge before they go into full community living,” she said. “They have to be mature enough in their recovery to make pretty mature decisions and good choices for themselves. They’ve got to be highly motivated and focused.”

The rental fee for residents is $300 a month, which in most cases will likely be paid through St. Lawrence County’s Department of Social Services, Carolyn White said.

Recounting her own story, Erin White said she became addicted to alcohol while working as a bartender in Florida, but was able to turn her life around about seven years ago. She credits an aunt with helping her as well as her decision to seek help from God.

“For me, I could go to rehab or just call out in desperation to God,” she said. “I went back to school, I pursued a degree and have been rebuilding my life since,”

Erin White’s work experience includes spending a year managing a 10-bedroom community residence in Malone for people with severe mental illness. She has degrees in psychology and Christian counseling and a minor in business from Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.

“I’m going to try to build relationships and community,” she said. “It’s my hope that the women of Grace House will feel safe, supported and connected.”

More information is available at www.newhopetransf.org or by calling 315-386-3904. Erin White can be emailed at director@healthstationblog.comnewhopetransformation.org