While the drug epidemic continues to sweep through Cheatham County like a relentless storm, an organization has stepped up to help combat the plague that affects countless teens and young adults each year. ARCH Academy, Adolescent Recovery of Cumberland Heights, offers an on-campus addiction recovery program in Kingston Springs. Established in 2020, the program
treatment staff, bringing decades of experience to the table. One of the many things that makes it so special is that most of the staff members who work with residents are in long-term recovery themselves- most of them actually being alumni of Cumberland Heights or ARCH Academy. Because each team member has a genuine passion for helping others recover, the treatment center boasts a culture of spirituality and recovery that is the pulse of the organization. “We have many staff members who are alumni and/ or in sustained recovery, myself included,” says Szabo. “This work is life-affirming and a calling to many of us. One way to give back to others and help with continued sobriety is helping others through service. The ability to offer hope to individuals and families not only plants the seeds in the minds of others, but creates a sense of fellowship and togetherness with a power greater than ourselves; something that has infiltrated this campus many years ago.” ARCH Academy began with the vision of current CEO Jay Crosson, Executive Director Dean Porterfield, and the Cumberland Heights Board of Directors to create, design, and run a standalone adolescent campus for boys in Cheatham County. The property of interest, “Chigger Ridge,” was being sold by a bed and breakfast off of Highway 70; as Cumberland Heights leadership explored purchasing the property, another offer was accepted. In a stroke of luck or fate, that bid eventually fell through and it was sold to Cumberland Heights in 2016. As they approach their third year at the Cheatham County campus, the team at ARCH Academy has set some goals for the near future that will help them broaden their reach and serve as many young men as possible. Over the next few years, they hope to keep chipping away at the negative stigma surrounding addiction, increase prevention methods and education, and keep the health and wellness of community members its priority. The accomplishments and milestones ARCH Academy has seen over the past two years are difficult to highlight individually; having alumni return each week to share their triumphs and hearing from families who have been positively affected by the program is how success at ARCH Academy is
helps struggling young males overcome addiction through individualized clinical care, family programming and support, academic advancement, and adventure therapy. Backed by nearly four decades of youth-related residential programming at Cumberland Heights, located in Nashville, ARCH Academy knows what works.Though a primary 12-step addiction curriculum designed around the individual patient, the “whole child” is treated at the academy. The comprehensive programming not only addresses addiction, but also underlying co-occurring mental health concerns, family difficulties, relational barriers, and low academic confidence. “Though we know that adolescents grow in groups, ARCH Academy understands that there is no “one-size fits all” when it comes to treatment,” says Cole Szabo, outreach coordinator. Located in an ideal setting for recovery, ARCH Academy is nestled on 67 wooded acres near the Harpeth River. The serene and engaging environment allows patients to address past, present, and future issues in non-traditional ways like art therapy, a ropes course, a zip line, fly fishing, equine therapy, and physical fitness. As part of the recovery process, residents also experience off-campus adventures like sporting events, canoeing, and hiking. Through service work, residents of ARCH Academy are able to learn to care for their community and find a sense of purpose through volunteerism. Community service opportunities include feeding the homeless, planting gardens, maintaining public parks, and working with students. The program strives to keep its volunteer efforts within the community, such as volunteering regularly at the ARK in Pegram. A vital part of the treatment process at ARCH Academy is the opportunity for residents to be able to continue their education while getting the help they need. The academy operates as a fully-accredited private high school and boasts top-notch educational programs for grades eight through 12. The dream for ARCH Academy was built upon many employees, community donors, and alumni who have made the program’s success their personal mission. From those in leadership roles, to the clinical staff, all the way down to the horses, the dog, and the cat that reside there, everyone has a vital role that helps keep the operation running as smoothly and successfully as it does. Treating 186 residents and families in 2021 alone, the foundation of ARCH Academy is indeed a solid one. It has assembled some of the best adolescent addiction
truly measured. Each day, when a seed of recovery is planted, a small mission has been accomplished. “Seeing the faces
of teens who return to help those still in treatment is a success,” says Szabo. “Each time they show up is a success, each day of sobriety is a gift and a success.” ARCH Academy is here to help struggling young men realize they have worth. That they matter. And that they have a world of possibilities ahead of them. 29
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker