- November 17, 2024
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Even as it fights to keep its doors open, the Christian-based addiction recovery and jail diversion program in Bunnell headed by Grace Tabernacle Pastor Charles Silano graduated its first resident Sunday during its first fundraising banquet, attended by more than 100 people.
The Open Door Re-entry and Recovery Program is still wrangling with the city of Bunnell over the right to operate, Silano said, and recently was granted an order by a federal court in Jacksonville to challenge a restrictive city ordinance that would have barred it. The program can continue to operate as the case moves forward.
“Right now we’re going through a litigation process that will be resolved, in about a year’s time,” Silano said before the audience in the Matanzas High School cafeteria. “And I know that we win. You know why? Because God is on our side. There’s no way that we will not have recovery. And we are the only recovery house in Flagler County.”
Open Door would accept court-ordered cases for people charged with nonviolent substance-related crimes. It has been opposed by Bunnell residents who say they don’t want a jail diversion program in their backyard. But it has drawn support from other parts of the community: a number of local churches, the Flagler County Rotary Club and the Flagler Beach Rotary Club were among those sponsoring banquet tables at the Sunday event.
One of the program’s residents, Richard Jarosz, was presented with a certificate of graduation and a new study Bible at the banquet. Another, Gary Lamb, said he now has a job and is sober after spending a total of nearly 25 years behind bars for various substance-related offenses.
“What has happened over the past few months was much more than I expected or ever deserved,” Lamb said in a speech at the event. “God has used this program to minister to me and many others. … This past few months has been fill of ups and downs, but it has changed my life, and God has used it to build my faith.”
Three residents have been ordered into the program by County Judge David Walsh. The Open Door facility has four beds, Silano said, and the one vacated by Jarosz was filled by a new resident Monday.
Diversion programs like Open Door save money for local governments by keeping people out of jail, Silano said to the audience during the ceremony.
“We’re a savings to the community and to the taxpayer,” he said.
