By Kimberly Gasuras

Cierra “Cie Cie” Lewis was battling a crack cocaine and heroin addiction that left her homeless and scared when she was introduced to Margie and John Maddox, founders of the Jericho House in Bucyrus and administrators of the county’s Alpha Recovery 12-step program.

Lewis had lost her fiancé, Darthel, in a motor-vehicle crash near in her hometown of Delaware and became lost in addiction.

“When I was in jail, I met a lady who told me about the Alpha Recovery program. After I was released, she started bringing me to meetings and that is how I met Margie and John,” Lewis said. “I was struggling, but determined to get my life together for my two children.”

Lewis will be graduating from the Jericho House with a year of recovery under her belt this summer.

The single mom is planning to attend college while working at least part-time.

Margie said Lewis will become the first mother to live in a new house that was donated to Margie and John.

“The property, which includes a single-family house and a duplex, were donated to us by the Karen Miller family and we are so grateful,” Margie said.

Lewis will move into the single-family house this summer with her children. It is called the Taylor House and is named after Taylor Etzinger, who lost his battle with addiction in July 2015.

“We are currently renovating the single-family home to be a transition home for our residents at the Jericho House. Cie Cie and her children will be the first ones to live there,” Margie said. “Taylor was a wonderful person and his family is wonderful. His dad works for Lowe’s and they have sold us materials at cost for the renovations.”

Margie said she is not sure yet if the duplex will remain two addresses or be renovated to be one single family home.

“We want a place where our girls can begin life on their own with their children for a period of time before moving on,” Margie said.

Back at the Jericho House, attic space in the new addition now is available for short stays for people who need it.

“The space is designed for up to six people to sleep there and it has a kitchenette and living space,” Margie said. “We will be using it for people who need a place to stay for a night or two until they can get into treatment for drug addiction, for people who are homeless until we can find them a more permanent solution and for victims of domestic violence until we can get them to Turning Point or another shelter.”

Margie said that local businesses have been helpful with the renovations.

“Clady’s and True Value have been very helpful and of course, our volunteers are amazing,” said Margie.

For more information or to donate, visit http://www.alpha12step.com or call 419-689-1412.