A shoulder to lean on

If you'd like your charity, community organization or service group featured, contact Bob Smith at (630) 955-3531 or rsmith@dailyherald.com.

Henry Tews has spent more than 40 years helping men and women recover from addictions.

Among his many contributions was creating Addison-based Serenity House Inc., which provides support for homeless men and women battling substance abuse and chemical dependence by providing more than 100 residential beds in Addison and Naperville and numerous outpatient programs.

On Saturday, as Tews prepares to enter retirement, staff and supporters are planning a gala both to say goodbye and to raise money for the organization he loves.

Lisa Snipes, director of development, says the party will be unlike anything the group has had over the past 18 years. It will be highlighted by a good-natured roast of Tews to celebrate "his tireless efforts that led to greater hope for people who had nowhere else to turn."

"It's Time to Roast the Big Fish -- A Night to Honor Henry Tews" begins at 6 p.m. at Empress Banquets, 200 E. Lake St., Addison.

Tickets are $100, with seating at tables of 10. All proceeds will go toward the purchase of a new recovery home.

You can make reservations online at www.serenityhouse.com or by calling (630) 620-6616, ext. 129.

Snipes recently discussed Serenity House and its mission with the Daily Herald.

Q. What is your group's mission?

A. To provide comprehensive treatment services to men and women recovering from substance abuse and chemical dependence so they can lead meaningful, productive lives.

Q. How do you work toward accomplishing that goal?

A. Through residential and outpatient programs designed to provide individuals with the life skills necessary to rebuild their lives, strengthen their relationships and successfully return as active members of their communities.

Q. Who do you serve?

A. Adult men and women over the age of 18 diagnosed with a substance use disorder. We are located in DuPage County, but we have no geographical restrictions.

Q. When and why did your organization start? How has it grown?

A. Serenity House began more than two decades ago, the vision of founder Henry Tews.

Tews, author of "Help Me Save the One I Love" and "Paint a Little Square," opened Serenity House to provide transitional housing with supportive services for homeless men and women whose lives had been impacted by addiction.

What began as a four-bed cottage for men in 1985, Serenity House now has grown to become a nationally recognized addictions treatment facility with more than 100 residential beds and 200 individuals participating in our outpatient programs.

Today, Serenity House still remains the only facility of its kind in DuPage County.

Q. What kind of successes have you had?

A. Our greatest success has been in the lives that have been changed as the result of our programs. A woman recently wrote to thank us for helping her to be a part of her family again. A father thanked us for helping him learn how to be a better parent to his two sons. There is so much good that comes out of change.

Q. What challenges does your group face?

A. On the surface, our challenges are not unlike most social service agencies today. We continue to face reductions in funding while at the same time facing significant increases in the demand for our services.

But a specific challenge we face is the stigma attached to alcohol and substance abuse. So many people don't understand why the individual doesn't just stop using drugs or abusing alcohol; why they can't simply exert some willpower and walk away. It's not that easy. If it were, there would not be the substance abuse related problems there are today.

Q. What do you wish the community at large knew about your organization?

A. As an addiction treatment center, we recognize that about 90 percent of the population does not have a problem with alcohol or drugs -- we work with the 10 percent or so that does.

However, the 10 percent that does have a problem directly or indirectly affects the 90 percent that doesn't. Most people don't think about this.

People are often surprised that the men and women in our programs are not who they would imagine. On any given day, we might be working with an 18-year-old college student who has abused heroin since he was a high school freshman to a grandparent addicted to pain killers. Addiction can -- and does -- happen to anyone.

Q. How can readers get involved?

A. We are looking for creative and committed people to strengthen our fundraising board. Interested individuals would need to attend about six meetings a year, offer financial assistance toward our one major fundraising event, and help promote awareness of the need for substance abuse treatment.

If you go

What: "It's Time to Roast the Big Fish -- A Night to Honor Henry Tews"

When: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Empress Banquets, 200 E. Lake St., Addison

Tickets: $100

Info: (630) 620-6616, ext. 129 or www.serenityhouse.com

Vital statistics

Number of requests for help: Roughly 2,100 referrals or requests each year. Of that number, we are only able to accommodate about 200 in our residential treatment programs and about 300 in our outpatient programs.

Annual budget: $2.1 million

Source of funding: Illinois Department of Human Services/Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse, Illinois Department of Housing and Urban Development, DuPage County, City of Naperville, United Way, local foundations, individual and corporate donations.

Full-time employees: 23

Volunteers: 12

Donation wish list: Neutral colored, twin size, sheets, pillowcases, blankets and comforters; dressers, sofas and love seats; washers & dryers (in good condition)

How to donate or volunteer: Call Lisa Snipes at (630) 620-6616, ext. 129

Drop-off address: 891 S. Route 53, Addison; call first for directions. Donations accepted 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays

Mail address: 891 S. Route 53, Addison, IL 60101, Attn: Lisa Snipes

General info: (630) 620-6616 or www.serenityhouse.com