By Gillian Graham

Staff Writer

Rick Martin’s mission for Saturday is to show the community just how fun sobriety can be.

Six years after its transitional men’s house opened on North Street in Saco, Our Father’s House will host its second annual Sober Festival. The family-friendly festival, which kicks off at noon Saturday, will celebrate sobriety with an afternoon of food, live music, games and silent auction.

Martin founded Our Father’s House in 2003 as an addiction recovery group. By 2005, the program grew into a residential home for men recovering from addiction who needed a safe and stable environment. Our Father’s House opened a home for women in February. Each house accommodates six residents.

 “It’s kind of miraculous what happens here,” Martin said. “It’s a safe environment to focus on their inner selves and restore their lives. People get their lives back.”

The faith-based, nonprofit organization has served between 1,000 and 1,500 people since 2005, Martin said. He said the program has an 87 percent success rate of clients who maintain their sobriety for a year and improve relationships with their families.

Our Father’s House does not receive state funding because it is a faith-based organization, though it is not affiliated with a specific church. Martin said the program receives funding through small rent fees from clients, donations and grants.

Though it is sometimes a challenge to heat the homes in winter, Martin said he has faith he will achieve his long-term vision of expanding Our Father’s House to include a 28-day recovery program that is state-licensed and accepts insurance.

“It’s so needed. There isn’t anywhere to send someone for a 28-day program. People have to go out of state to get well,” he said.

Residents of the homes often are referred to Our Father’s House by area hospitals. They must have gone through at least 48 hours of detoxification and commit to drug and alcohol testing three times each week. Martin encourages residents to attend at least three weekly support meetings – usually Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous – and find a sponsor for additional support.

Residents pay rent and typically live in the sober houses for six to 12 months. Martin said 75 percent of residents are homeless when they arrive at Our Father’s House.

Most residents either work or attend school to prepare themselves for a new career. Martin said residents come from all walks of life and range in age from 18 to 80. In recent years he’s seen an increase in the number of younger residents.

“They come here desperate for restoration and to get free of drugs and alcohol. It’s a very serious business,” Martin said. “I call it a demon of addiction. It affects the whole family; it’s a ripple effect.”

Martin said many people who come to Our Father’s House often have struggled with addiction much of their lives.

“It’s life and death. People come and they grasp hold of this or it takes them to jail, institutions or death,” Martin said.

Martin, who is 18 years sober, said his work with residents helps him with his own recovery. He said the fellowship and accountability of living in a sober facility helps people find the sobriety that eluded them for so long. Still, some people leave the homes and are not able to maintain their sobriety, he said. 

“Sometimes I wonder if it’s the ones who make it or the ones who don’t who keep me going,” he said.

Sandra Webster, manager of the women’s house, said residents often talk about how fun it is to live in the houses and how they enjoy the fellowship of new friends.

Webster said she enjoys living and working with women who are very committed to their recovery. She said living in a stable environment also helps her on her own recovery journey.

“This was the perfect opportunity to give back what’s been given to me,” she said. “We’re like a family here.”

Martin said he encourages residents to not only embrace 12-step programs and a relationship with a higher power, but to give back to the community.

“What I try to teach folks is to stay out of yourself and serve the community,” he said.

That, Martin said, is a big reason why Our Father’s House will open its gates this weekend for a community celebration.

“This is a way for us to give back as well as show support for those in recovery and the community that helps us keep running,” Martin said. Last year’s festival attracted 300 people and Martin expects 300 to 500 people this year.

Saturday’s festivities begin with a Ride for Recovery Meeting at 9 a.m. at Big Moose Harley-Davidson in Portland. A ride will leave at 10:30 a.m. and end at Our Father’s House at 325 North St. A pig roast, bake sale, bike show and guest speakers will begin at noon. Other activities include swimming, horseshoes and a silent auction. Martin said the seven bands set to play include some of the best Christian music performers in New England.

Martin said everyone is welcome at the festival. He said people should remember to bring a towel, swimsuit, lawn chair “and a great attitude.”

For more information about Our Father’s House, call 571-4981 or go to www.ourfathershousemaine.org.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.