Por Christy Scannell
Editor SDUN

In 1989 when Cheryl Houk joined Stepping Stone, an alcohol and drug treatment agency that caters mostly to the LGBT community, she was appalled at the facilities.

“The buildings were in terrible shape. It was the worst in the county and really the worst I had seen,” she said. “And that wasn’t acceptable to me because in the gay and lesbian population we had had a long challenge for acceptance. This (lack of appropriate housing) just perpetuated that we don’t belong.”

So Houk, then Stepping Stone’s executive director, set out to improve its residential component. Although the organization had never sought funds from private donors before, she was cautiously certain she could secure $1.2 million to create a suitable structure. But as time passed and costs increased, the budget more than doubled to $2.6 million.

Still, Houk raised every penny.

“I meditated on what I wanted and went for it,” she said. “We had a board who believed we could do it too.”

The result in 2000 was a 31-bed “home” in City Heights that has won numerous awards for design and services. It complements Stepping Stone’s outpatient center and administrative offices on Fourth Avenue in Hillcrest.

“Everyone told her she’d never be able to do it,” said John De Miranda, Stepping Stone’s current president and CEO about Houk, who moved to Palm Springs in 2006. “But it’s a state-of-the-art facility—most people when they see it for the first time can’t believe it’s for indigent people because it looks like something you’d find in Malibu.”

The building, known as “Cheryl’s Stone” to honor Houk’s work, will mark its 10th anniversary in June. A series of events is planned to commemorate the occasion and raise funds for the non-profit organization.

De Miranda said the timing couldn’t be better for a celebration that highlights Stepping Stone’s contributions to the region. With state funding reduced, his budget has been slashed 20 percent in the last few years, causing staff layoffs. He said he recently took a voluntary 20 percent pay reduction as well.

“It’s the nature of non-profits today,” he sighed. “But even though it’s been challenging in terms of the economy and cuts to services, it’s really a phenomenal place.”

Although De Miranda estimates 20 to 30 percent of Stepping Stone’s clients are heterosexual, Stepping Stone was founded 34 years ago primarily to serve gays and lesbians.

“They were not welcome in most alcohol and drug treatment centers, yet that population was exhibiting a large percentage of addiction issues,” he said, adding that Stepping Stone is also now one of the most “transgender-friendly” agencies in San Diego.

Those who enter the residential program typically receive six months of treatment at Cheryl’s Stone followed by a transition to one of three sober-living homes, including one specifically for those with HIV or AIDS. Meanwhile, the Hillcrest outpatient facility offers an array of support services.

In addition to gaining recognition for Cheryl’s Stone, Stepping Stone has become a national leader for its educational efforts.

“I’ve been in the field for 30 years and this is probably the most innovative drug and alcohol treatment program I’m aware of,” De Miranda said.

For example, in 2003 Stepping Stone launched “Discovering Sexual Health in Recovery,” with help from a California Endowment grant, to teach clients how their recovery is linked with their sex lives.

“Most treatment programs pay virtually no attention to sexual behavior—they just say to stay away from relationships and focus on recovery. But we found for most of our clients that was not good advice,” De Miranda said. “So this 10-week program helps them understand the sexual link so they can have a sexually positive experience without resorting to the habits that were linked to their drug use, such as going to bars, baths or whatever.”

Another unique aspect to Stepping Stone’s programming is training in social justice issues.

“Many of our clients come from highly stigmatized backgrounds, whether it’s addiction, sexuality or mental illness,” De Miranda said. “So we teach how they can get involved in advocacy, working with groups like Equality California and Faces and Voices of Recovery. I don’t know of another program that takes a social justice as well as a treatment approach like this.”

The encouragement toward activism clearly pays off. Stepping Stone’s board of directors, alumni group and donors list is full of former clients. One board member, who asked that his name not be used due to business concerns, said he owes the organization his life. He has maintained sobriety for 12 years following more than two years of treatment at Stepping Stone for addiction to crystal methamphetamine.

“It gave me the opportunity to get cleaned up and completely restart my life,” he said, explaining he went from being nearly homeless to earning two college degrees, owning a home and starting his own company. “That’s why I’m on the board. I’m just so happy to have this 12 years of continued sobriety and to be part of what gives back.”

Cheryl Houk – who battled substance abuse 27 years ago – says she feels the same way. After a few years away writing a book and traveling around the world, she agreed in March to join Stepping Stone’s board of directors (Lori Love of Scripps Ranch and Maria Duffy of Escondido were also voted to the board).

“I always planned on re-involving myself,” Houk said. “Now I can be on the board and help raise more funds. I think it’s really important that the community knows what a diamond they have.”

For more information on Stepping Stone, go to steppingstonesd.org or call 295-3995 (outpatient) or 584-4010 (residential). The Cheryl’s Stone anniversary weekend will be June 4-6 with an open house, Saturday picnic at Balboa Park, Saturday evening gala and Sunday pancake breakfast. Consult the Web site for details.