Two new sober living homes for Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community members broke ground in October.

On October 21, staff and members of the Journey to Recovery program, along with staff from SRPMIC Health and Human Services, Council members and Community managers gathered for the groundbreaking at Chaparral and Longmore roads. The new homes will serve as a safe and secure living space for those seeking to take steps toward their recovery.

“We’ve got a goal here: to be five in five [increase the mortality rate by five percent in five years], to improve health and wellness and take the mortality rate from 52 to 57 percent in the next five years. We can do this, but it’s going to take a community of caring. We’re going to be there every step of the way, when people need us. We’re here because of the vision of this Community and Council,” said Health and Human Services Director Joseph Remitera.

The sober living homes will offer a supportive and stable environment for those in the program so they can learn life skills and eventually transition into independent tiny home living. Each home will be equipped to house eight members of the Journey to Recovery program. One home will be designated for women only.

According to Remitera, the five determinants of health are genetic, environmental, behavioral, social and clinical. The social aspect affects 40 percent of one’s health. With the support of other sober peers in their living unit, Remitera said, those living in these homes will not be on this journey alone. SRPMIC Vice-President Ricardo Leonard shared an O’odham song that reminded him of the Journey to Recovery program and those who soon will live in the sober living homes.

“In this song, all these birds are going towards a certain mountain, singing. Their singing was so

beautiful, it echoed throughout the Valley. The other birds said, ‘One day I will be there too,’” Leonard explained. 

Community members wishing to live in a sober living home should begin the application process for residential treatment by enrolling with the River People Health Center’s Behavioral and Health Services continuum of care.

These two homes are anticipated to be ready for occupancy by summer 2025. Another unit is planned for the future, making a total of four sober living homes in the Community