![\"Clean](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/04\/Cheryl11.jpg\" "\\"Cheryl1\\"")
<\/a>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.<\/p>\n\u201cThe buildings were in terrible shape. It was the worst in the county and really the worst I had seen,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd that wasn\u2019t 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\u2019t belong.\u201d<\/p>\n
So Houk, then Stepping Stone\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Still, Houk raised every penny.<\/p>\n
\u201cI meditated on what I wanted and went for it,\u201d she said. \u201cWe had a board who believed we could do it too.\u201d<\/p>\n
The result in 2000 was a 31-bed \u201chome\u201d in City Heights that has won numerous awards for design and services. It complements Stepping Stone\u2019s outpatient center and administrative offices on Fourth Avenue in Hillcrest.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone told her she\u2019d never be able to do it,\u201d said John De Miranda, Stepping Stone\u2019s current president and CEO about Houk, who moved to Palm Springs in 2006. \u201cBut it\u2019s a state-of-the-art facility\u2014most people when they see it for the first time can\u2019t believe it\u2019s for indigent people because it looks like something you\u2019d find in Malibu.\u201d<\/p>\n
The building, known as \u201cCheryl\u2019s Stone\u201d to honor Houk\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
De Miranda said the timing couldn\u2019t be better for a celebration that highlights Stepping Stone\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s the nature of non-profits today,\u201d he sighed. \u201cBut even though it\u2019s been challenging in terms of the economy and cuts to services, it\u2019s really a phenomenal place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although De Miranda estimates 20 to 30 percent of Stepping Stone\u2019s clients are heterosexual, Stepping Stone was founded 34 years ago primarily to serve gays and lesbians.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were not welcome in most alcohol and drug treatment centers, yet that population was exhibiting a large percentage of addiction issues,\u201d he said, adding that Stepping Stone is also now one of the most \u201ctransgender-friendly\u201d agencies in San Diego.<\/p>\n
Those who enter the residential program typically receive six months of treatment at Cheryl\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
In addition to gaining recognition for Cheryl\u2019s Stone, Stepping Stone has become a national leader for its educational efforts.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been in the field for 30 years and this is probably the most innovative drug and alcohol treatment program I\u2019m aware of,\u201d De Miranda said.<\/p>\n
For example, in 2003 Stepping Stone launched \u201cDiscovering Sexual Health in Recovery,\u201d with help from a California Endowment grant, to teach clients how their recovery is linked with their sex lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost treatment programs pay virtually no attention to sexual behavior\u2014they just say to stay away from relationships and focus on recovery. But we found for most of our clients that was not good advice,\u201d De Miranda said. \u201cSo 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another unique aspect to Stepping Stone\u2019s programming is training in social justice issues. <\/p>\n
\u201cMany of our clients come from highly stigmatized backgrounds, whether it\u2019s addiction, sexuality or mental illness,\u201d De Miranda said. \u201cSo we teach how they can get involved in advocacy, working with groups like Equality California and Faces and Voices of Recovery. I don\u2019t know of another program that takes a social justice as well as a treatment approach like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
The encouragement toward activism clearly pays off. Stepping Stone\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt gave me the opportunity to get cleaned up and completely restart my life,\u201d he said, explaining he went from being nearly homeless to earning two college degrees, owning a home and starting his own company. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m on the board. I\u2019m just so happy to have this 12 years of continued sobriety and to be part of what gives back.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cheryl Houk \u2013 who battled substance abuse 27 years ago \u2013 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\u2019s board of directors (Lori Love of Scripps Ranch and Maria Duffy of Escondido were also voted to the board).<\/p>\n
\u201cI always planned on re-involving myself,\u201d Houk said. \u201cNow I can be on the board and help raise more funds. I think it\u2019s really important that the community knows what a diamond they have.\u201d<\/p>\n