Aaron's House |
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Enriching the Lives of Others
For the Media: Aaron's House Media Information
The Aaron J. Meyer Foundation INC. is a 501 (C) (3) Non-Profit organization.
The Board of Directors is all volunteer and made up of professionals from the fields of education, business development, finance, banking, construction, marketing, real estate, and construction. Members of our board serve on a variety of for-profit and non-profit boards. They are highly effective people with vast knowledge in sharing and compassion.
Our support professionals are people with big desires to see our project thrive. They have full time, professional commitments to social services and leadership.
Aaron House Clinical Director, James Sauer, LCSW, LMFT, SAC, ICS
James Sauer brings over 30 years of clinical experience to Aaron House. His background includes years of Substance Abuse and Mental Health services to inpatient, residential, intensive outpatient and day treatment, as well as private practice outpatient levels of care. He has served as a director of several treatment programs.
Since 2000 James has provided comprehensive evaluations for the programs of Drug Treatment Court, Treatment Alternative Program, and Juvenile Court. His assessment skills have also been requested by private attorneys and sentencing and disposition specialists. James is the Drug Treatment Court Clinical Coordinator and continues to monitor the treatment progress and case-management accountability for court review on a weekly basis.
James has taught alcohol and drug classes for the UW School of Social Work. He continues as a Guest Lecturer, focusing on areas of assessment and treatment for substance abuse.
James received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from
James is licensed in the State of 
House Mentor, John Blaha
A graduate of St. Norbert College and St. Johns Univ.(MN). John has 20-plus years in ordained parish ministry; retreat leader; spiritual director; hospital chaplain; also worked in an aluminum factory, in corporate security, in an athletic arena control office, and on the loading dock of a retail store. Most prized accomplishment: years of sobriety with the help of A.A. and by the grace of God.
Volunteer Consultant, Shelly Dutch
Owner of Connections Counseling in Madison,Shelly provides the unique insight into the college aged persons recovery environment. With nearly three decades of therapy experience stressing peer to peer support, Shelly is years ahead in the art of connecting young persons in recovery with people who give the recovering person the best opportunity to change their lives.
Parent and Family Support, Aaron's Parents Tom and Cathy and Aaron's brother Patrick
Tom, Cathy, and Patrick Meyer are not professional counselors. They're Aaron's family and they know the truth behind the reflection: In God's hands, the dark past is the greatest possession you have--the key to life and happiness for others. With it you can avert death and misery for them.
Tom, Cathy, and Patrick are available to connect with families and share experience, strength, and hope. Contact Tom at: Tom@TomMeyer.com Cathy at cm_meyer@hotmail.com and Patrick-- a junior in high school at pmeyer1529@yahoo.com
Media Relations Stacy Ozanne
Stacy excels at explaining the purpose of, and need for Aaron's House. She's a compassionate person. Stories about the Foundation, were featured on: All major network affiliates in Madison, NBC, CBS, ABC, and FOX. The Wisconsin State Journal, Wisconsin Woman, and The Seattle University Alumni Magazine. As a result of Stacy's encouragement, local radio and television stations have hosted members of the foundation and devoted air time to discussing the Aaron's House project.
Pilot Project
Aaron's House is an alcohol and drug free home where young men live in support of one another while continuing their college education. With leadership from role models who care, and recovery counselors who make a difference, the residents build on their foundation of sobriety.
Residents of Aaron's House enroll in courses at any of a number of post high school educational institutions in Madison, WI. They work part time jobs, and participate in recovery programs of their choice. The atmosphere of the House is one of Positively GoodTimes --- clean and sober.
The Aaron J. Meyer Foundation, Inc. connects the residents with good people from anywhere who are able to share their experience and hope. We present opportunities for the young men to walk shoulder to shoulder with informal "mentors" on an adventure of growth to be better men. We invite people from around the world who want to share their wisdom with these young men who want to better themselves, to connect with us.
Doors which once appeared closed to a young man, are nudged open by people strong enough to honestly share their stories of loss, recovery, and accomplishment.
Everything we learn can be shared with others who want to duplicate or build an Aaron's House in their community.
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