JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Nonprofit River Region Human Services announced to the News4JAX I-TEAM Thursday that they are “temporarily suspend[ing] operations.”
River Region has been a pillar in the local recovery community for decades, assisting substance abuse, mental health, housing, HIV/AIDS services, and primary care.
“Despite our best efforts, dedication, and a thorough evaluation of all available options, it has become clear that because of the recent years of poor decisions, RRHS is currently unable to meet obligations as they fall due,” River Region said in a statement to the I-TEAM.
The I-TEAM has also learned the city is investigating the non-profit following our reports.
River Region’s residential substance abuse program shuttered abruptly in December, and now, more facilities are closing, including transitional housing, leaving residents scrambling to find places to go.
Andy’s Place is part of River Region Human Services. It’s meant to be transitional housing for those who have been homeless due to issues with substance abuse, disabilities, or HIV/AIDS.
“I’m just trying to be strong,” said Andy’s Place resident Karl Conyers.
Conyers and his neighbors were informed earlier this month they have until April 5 to be out of their housing at Andy’s Place. He told the I-TEAM he had cancer and had had a stroke.
“I’m frustrated because I don’t know where I’m going next,” he said as he burst into tears.
Andy’s Place is located on Parental Home Road in the Sans Souci area on the same property as what for decades was the non-profit’s residential substance abuse treatment facility.
The most recent city of Jacksonville budget showed Andy’s Place received more than $215,000 in a federal grant for Housing Opportunities for Persons with Aids.
Thursday, trash was overflowing on the property, as residents like Patrina Reid tried to figure out their next move. She’s in recovery for addiction.
She said she’s going to have to stay with a family member in what she said was a “drug-infested” area.
Another resident, who wanted us to identify him only as Joe, said he got sober at River Region’s residential program before moving into an apartment at Andy’s Place, where residents are required to stay clean and go to meetings.
“There’s probably maybe 20 or 25 of us out here,” he said.
River Region’s methadone clinic in Orange Park has also been closed. In eviction filings from January, the landlord said River Region owed them more than $38,000 in back rent.
In a response dated Jan. 24, the River Region’s COO wrote that they are “facing a financial challenge” and are working “diligently to improve and rectify its current situation,” nothing they have a new leadership team that has sought emergency funding.
Former River Region board member Richard Preston said the financial issues appeared a few years ago. River Region is close to his heart because it helped him get sober years ago.
“This is sort of like a safe haven, and it’s being snatched from right under their feet,” he said. “It’s a sad day.”
Residents believe financial mismanagement compromised what they thought was a safe haven.
“We understand the impact that this announcement will have on our stakeholders and those we serve,” River Region said in a statement. “Please know that this decision was not made lightly, and we have explored every possible avenue to avoid this temporary outcome. The primary focus now is to navigate this situation for those we serve. We are currently assisting them in finding a new place of support for them to continue their journey to healthier living. We remain hopeful that with understanding and support, River Region Human Services will come back stronger than ever in a matter of months.”
Read the full statement from River Region below:
“It is with deep regret that we must inform the community of the current state of River Region Human Services. Despite our best efforts, dedication, and a thorough evaluation of all available options, it has become clear that because of the recent years of poor decisions, RRHS is currently unable to meet obligations as they fall due.
This is an incredibly distressing realization for all of us, but it is necessary for RRHS to temporarily suspend operations. We understand the impact that this announcement will have on our stakeholders and those we serve. Please know that this decision was not made lightly, and we have explored every possible avenue to avoid this temporary outcome.
The primary focus now is to navigate this situation for those we serve. We are currently assisting them in finding a new place of support for them to continue their journey to healthier living.
We remain hopeful that with understanding and support, River Region Human Services will come back stronger than ever in a matter of months.”
River Region Human Services