Anna's House:  Hoag Family Foundation Grant Builds Transitional Housing for Women with Children

On August 1, 2006, Life Steps Foundation unlocked the key to the only transitional home available to women recovering from substance abuse and their children in San Luis Obispo County.  It is a pioneering move in addressing the growing problem of alcohol and drug abuse in the Central Coast, made possible by a grant from the George Hoag Family Foundation.  The project is called Anna’s House, named after Donna’s (Mrs. George Hoag’s) mother.  At Tuesday’s open house, Mrs. Hoag said her mother would have been a Life Steps volunteer if she were alive today.

The Hoag Foundation worked with Life Steps for over two years on completing this significant project.  It also collaborated closely with Life Steps in purchasing and preparing the modular home for the Arroyo Grande site.

Life Steps Foundation has a long-standing commitment to help recovering women and their children secure long-term sobriety and keep their families intact.  Ten years ago the organization opened Pasos de Vida (Steps of Life) as the only drug and alcohol treatment facility for women and their children.  Pasos de Vida is the first step for women in the community who need immediate recovery treatment.  Once treatment is completed, they are eligible for transitional living at Anna’s House—a steppingstone toward getting their own home.

The Hoag Family Foundation was established in 1940 by George Hoag, Sr., an early partner in the J.C. Penney Company.  Hoag Foundation's support in 1950 facilitated the construction of the Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach.   Constructing the hospital took only two years.  The hospital currently has 409 beds, a medical staff of over 900, and over 3,600 employees.

Life Steps is grateful for Hoag Foundation’s strong support of the Drug and Alcohol Services programs in the Central Coast.

Articles about Anna’s House (as of August 2, 2006)

http://www.ksby.com/news/headlines/3471486.html

http://www.santamariatimes.com/articles/2006/08/02/news/centralcoast/news07.txt

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispotribune/15268909.htm