US Congressman Blake Farenthold tours Charlie's Place
June 2011

From left, Heather Smith, Lulana Cain, Congressman Blake Farenthold,
Amy Granberry, Barbara Dolce, Shevaun Beck and Jeff Kane.

The Board of Directors and staff of Charlie's Place were pleased to welcome US Congressman Blake Farenthold and his staff member Wendy Herman for a tour of Charlie's Place on June 7. They viewed the facility and discussed with the staff the importance of funding substance abuse services. Joining the tour were board members Heather Smith, Lulana Cain, Shevaun Beck Barbara Dolce, Dennis Dolce and Jeff Kane, as well as administrators Amy Rhoads Granberry, Lisa Burnip and Larry Churn.

Off the main lobby of Charlie’s Place is a special room called "The Founders’ Club" dedicated to the founders of Charlie’s Place. Open every Thursday from 2-4 pm, the room provides a quiet space for clients or others to view artifacts and memorabilia saved by several of the founders. In addition to reading materials, 450 recorded talks by local and national members of AA/NA are available via audio machines.

The historical information relates to Charlie's Place, AA and recovery history in the Coastal Bend. Browse through news clippings of local AA events, documents related to the beginning of Charlie’s Place when it was called a "Halfway House," the slogans taken from the walls of the old 18th Street Club, all four editions of the “Big Book” including Charlie’s own personal copy, and many other interesting souvenirs.

Bob Beck, one of the individuals in the group that founded Charlie’s Place, saved everything related to Charlie’s Place and AA, including recorded talks given at meetings, jamborees and state and international AA conventions. Through the papers and documents he saved, the history of Charlie’s Place can be traced from the original 24-Hour Club to the present. Beck, who served faithfully on the Charlie's Place board for almost 41 years, passed away on February 22, 2008, but his influence lives on in the growth, expansion and stability of Charlie’s Place.

Charlie's Place appreciates donations and encourage Charlie’s Place alumni or other founders' families to add to the Founder's Club collection. Furniture such as chairs, reading lamps, ends tables are needed for the room, and bookcases are needed to display the growing collection. After the tapes are cataloged, audio machines will also be needed.

If you have anything to offer, be assured that it will be carefully preserved and displayed with an acknowledgement of the person who contributed it. If you have something to donate, call Shevaun Beck at (361) 215-9035 and she will arrange to have your contributions to the collection picked up.

Although the Founders Club is housed at Charlie’s Place, it is an archive for the whole Coastal Bend AA/NA community, and anyone is welcome to use it. Charlie’s Place cannot fund it so monetary contributions are gratefully accepted. In addition to Thursdays from 2-4 pm, the Founder's Club room is available by appointment by calling Mrs. Beck at (361) 215-9035.

       - Dr. Shevaun Beck, Charlie's Place Executive Board Member

September 8, 2010 - CORPUS CHRISTI - Ten percent of Nueces County drug forfeiture funds could go toward community drug rehabilitation programs, such as Charlie's Place, the Council for Drug and Alcohol Abuse-Coastal Bend and Palmer Drug Abuse.

Drug forfeiture money, seized by law enforcement during criminal investigations, usually is split between the sheriff and the district attorney's office. Those offices can use it for law enforcement needs, such as purchasing additional equipment and paying confidential informants.

County commissioners approved a request Wednesday to shift up to 10 percent of those funds for drug rehabilitation programs. Nueces County Sheriff's Chief Deputy John Galvan said during the meeting the department agreed to commissioners' request to use a portion of the money.

As of Wednesday, the county's drug forfeiture fund contained $237,000, according to the county auditor's office. State law allows Commissioners Court to request up to 10 percent of those funds to use for drug rehabilitation and chemical dependency programs.
READ ENTIRE ARTICLE ONLINE AT CORPUS CHRISTI CALLER-TIMES

July 24, 2010 - CORPUS CHRISTI - Amy Rhoads Granberry took a few minutes during public comment at a recent Nueces County government meeting to spread an impending message: state cutbacks to the area’s largest substance abuse treatment facility would cause bigger community problems.

It would mean a longer wait for addicts in need of treatment. It would mean Jay Townsend, a recovered drug and alcohol addict of 34 years, wouldn’t have a car, a home or a career path that helps others stay clean. He likely would be stealing to get high, in jail or dead. That scenario would add more work for police, jail and hospital officials, said Granberry, the director of organizational development at Charlie’s Place.

Each year the facility treats 2,200 people in the Coastal Bend area, most of whom fall within the federal poverty guidelines. Charlie’s Place provides medical detox and inpatient treatment at its main location at Interstate 37 and McBride Lane and outpatient counseling in 19 counties. An annual contract from the Department of State Health Services makes up 75 percent of the facility’s annual budget.
READ ENTIRE ARTICLE ONLINE AT CORPUS CHRISTI CALLER-TIMES

Texas Governor Rick Perry appointed eight members to the Housing and Health Services Coordination Council, including Amy Granberry, Director of Organization Development for Charlie’s Place. Pursuant to Senate Bill 1878 of the 81st Legislative Session, the council will coordinate and increase state efforts to offer service-enriched housing for seniors and people with disabilities.

Granberry is a member of the Association of Substance Abuse Programs and Homeless Issues Partnership of Nueces County, and a board member of the Texas Homeless Network. She is also chair of the Planning and Networking Advisory Committee and Citizens Concern Subcommittee for Mental Health and Mental Retardation of Nueces County, a member and past president of the Corpus Christi Southside Kiwanis Club, and past vice president of the Corpus Christi Business and Professional Women Association. She is also past chair of the Homeless Issues Partnership Inc. and a past member of the Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission and Corpus Christi Human Resource Management Association. Granberry received a bachelor’s degree from Amberton University. She is appointed for a term to expire Sept. 1, 2015.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE ONLINE AT GOVERNOR'S WEBSITE

Charlie's Place staff members pose with Lulana Cain during a check presentation for a $20,000 donation in December. From left, Operations Director Walter Roberts, Executive Director Larry Churn, Lulana Cain and Board President Rick Smith.

December 2, 2009 - Corpus Christi Real Estate Agent Lulana Cain presented a generous donation of $20,000 to the Board of Directors of Charlie’s Place. The donation from Cain and Steve Green will be used for Operation Rudolph, client activities and the Capital Campaign. The Board, staff and clients would like to express their gratitude for this gracious gift.

Frank Valley of New Visions at Doctors Regional Hospital presents a $250 check to Charlie’s Place to support the annual Operation Rudolph Fundraiser.

December 2009 - Frank Valley of New Visions at Doctors Regional Hospital made a $250 donation to Charlie’s Place annual Operation Rudolph fundraiser which helps buy toys for the children of Charlie's Place clients. New Visions, which provides medical stabilization from alcohol and other drugs, has been supportive of Operation Rudolph for many years.

The staff of Charlie's Place is honored with a proclamation by
Nueces County Commissioners Court on October 28.

October 28, 2009 - Nueces Commissioner Mike Pusley (Precint 1) and the Nueces County Commissioners Court issued a proclamation recognizing the vital services that Charlie’s Place provides to the Coastal Bend Area. Commissioner Pusley commented prior to reading the proclamation that “the work they do at Charlie’s Place saves lives.” The Commissioner’s Court provides $45,000 of funding to Charlie’s Place annually to assist in operations of the facility.

READ PROCLAMATION (pdf)

October 27, 2009 - the Corpus Christi City Council approved three grants for Charlie’s Place. These federal grants are awarded through the Community Development Block Grant Program and the Emergency Shelter grant program administered by the City. Emergency Shelter grant funding will be used for operations in our detox unit. The Community Development block grant funding will be used for capital improvements to Charlie's Place new facility.

Charlie’s Place has been chosen as one of 25 charitable organizations to participate in the first-ever Coastal Bend Day of Giving. The online event, to be held November 17, will involve eight local foundations and the United Way working together to help our community’s neediest and most deserving. These key South Texas organizations have joined forces to create a $150,000 matching grant.

On November 17, gifts to any one of 24 participating non-profit partner agencies – selected because they serve at-risk members our community – will be matched dollar for dollar, up to a maximum of $6,000, until every matching dollar is gone. Donors can direct their donation directly to their favorite charity or they can add it to the general fund which will be distributed equally among the 25 non-profits. Either way, this unique effort will provide vital funds to those non-profit agencies working closest to the immediate problems of hunger, human need and animal welfare in the Coastal Bend.

LEARN MORE AT COASTALBENDDAYOFGIVING.ORG

By Elaine Marsilio

September 23, 2009 - New digs bring a new hope that Charlie’s Place will reach more people in need of drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

PHOTO GALLERY GRAND OPENING

The invitation-only grand opening Wednesday, featuring Gov. Rick Perry and Bishop Edmond Carmody, celebrated the newly renovated 97,000-square-foot facility, the refurbished Garden Inn hotel at Interstate 37 and McBride Lane.

Several key donations, including a $1.5 million from Citgo, helped with renovation costs, but Charlie’s Place still needs more than $1 million to cover the facility’s price tag, said Amy Rhoads Granberry, director of organizational development.

Staff gave tours of the two-story, 171-bed facility that they hope will serve more patients than its current number of about 2,200 clients annually, Granberry said.

The center features a courtyard for patients and will house the organization’s detox and residential services. Those services previously were split between two facilities.

By Elaine Marsilio

September 21, 2009 - Charlie’s Place will open its new $4 million drug and alcohol rehabilitation center on Wednesday after months of renovation.

The 97,000-square-foot center sits on the grounds of the former Garden Inn off Interstate 37.

Wednesday’s invitation only grand opening event will feature Gov. Rick Perry as keynote speaker, a blessing from Bishop Edmond Carmody, a ribbon cutting and center tours, said Amy Rhoads Granberry, Charlie’s Place organizational development director.

Renovations to the two-story, 171-bed facility began in January. The new center features a courtyard for patients and will house the organization’s detox and residential services.

“It’s better fit for the services we provide,” Granberry said.

Those services previously were split between two facilities, she said. The Charlie’s Place location on North Country Club Place will be used by the Citgo Refinery while the Brownlee Boulevard location is up for sale, she said.

February 11, 2009 - Charlie's Place officials want to give their clients some room -- about 100 rooms.

The drug-and-alcohol rehabilitation organization began refurbishing the former Garden Inn in the 800 block of McBride Lane, off Interstate 37, a couple weeks ago.

The 97,000-square-foot facility will house all of Charlie's Place services, such as detox, residential and probation programs, board president Dennis Dolce said. The new location is set to open in June.

Charlie's Place locations, on North Country Club Place and on Brownlee Boulevard, total about 27,000 square feet and are older and deteriorating structures, he said.

The new building features a courtyard to help clients relax, he said.

"They need some space for walking and thinking," Dolce said. "That's been an integral part of healing."

The organization has the capacity for 126 clients, serving people from 19 counties. Charlie's Place serves about 100 people a day, said Amy Rhoads Granberry, director of organization development. She said officials are determining how many people could be served with the new facility, which will have at least 100 client rooms. The current facilities offer 45 client rooms.

Charlie's Place is working with local businesses and individuals to attain the remaining $2 million needed for the total $4 million project, she said.

The first weeks of remodeling have involved mostly painting and electrical work, Granberry said.

Most of the work has been completed by community volunteers from organizations such as churches, the Charlie's Place board, Christus Spohn Health System and Citgo Refinery, Granberry said.

Other companies, such as Sherwin Williams and Carboline Co., have donated supplies for the project.

Citgo gave Charlie's Place $1.5 million prior to the renovation, and Granberry said Citgo officials also assigned two full-time managers to oversee the building's construction.

To volunteer or make donations: 882-9302, Ext. 109. To mail donations: Charlie's Place Capital Campaign, P.O. Box 4996, Corpus Christi, TX 78469

By Kelly Koch Gilmore

December 28, 2008 - Dec. 17 was a busy day in our town. Corpus Christi Town Club had its Christmas party, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce had its gala and Community Enrichment Organization held its Community Christmas Party and raised money for the Caller-Times Children's Christmas Appeal.

Although I would have loved to attend each of these, my cloning mechanism hasn't been perfected and I could only be in one place. I attended the Gloria Hicks-Glenda Kane production at Charlie's Place. The luncheon was attended by more than 100 guests at the Garden Inn. The former hotel at Interstate 37 and McBride Lane near the Corpus Christi Greyhound Racetrack is the new site of Charlie's Place, a full-treatment facility for chemical dependency run by the Coastal Bend Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Center.

At the Garden Inn, Amy Rhoads Granberry greeted me and introduced me to several board members, including her racquetball buddy. I received a personal tour and was told of the extensive renovations that have been done and those that are yet to come. In fact, that was the purpose of the luncheon, to raise money and awareness. Citgo donated $1.5 million toward the purchase of the former Ramada Inn. A few more dollars are required to "rehab" the building. I'm looking forward to the golf tournament at Corpus Christi Country Club this spring.

Sheryl McMillan's table was full. Invited guests Nancy Hawn and Maria Uecker enjoyed the lunch and commented how much they learned about the needs of our community. For example, Charlie's Place serves 19 counties.

Board member Tamara Cochran-May has practiced law on both sides of the criminal docket and believes in this project. Tamara looked great in her fuchsia jacket and pearls. She and her sister Myra Morris and Myra's daughters are planning a girls Christmas vacation in Lake Tahoe. Evelyn Maltz attended with her son, Kenneth.

Ed Hicks embraced George Finley, who said, "I wouldn't miss this for the world." Gloria Hicks told me we have something in common: She was to play the role of Mother Ginger in "The Nutcracker," too. Of course I told her everything I knew.

Fresh flowers, Christmas greens and ornaments served as centerpieces, while John Gutierrez passed out balloon flowers to a few lucky guests. Mine was turquoise. Guests were asked to take their seats and enjoy the lunch prepared by Marco's as Executive Director Larry Churn gave a brief history of Charlie's Place and short video played demonstrating how Charlie's Place has touched lives. Janet Berridge looked fabulous in a black and white houndstooth jacket and white Sarah Palin watch. Janet was touched by the woman on the video who came to Charlie's Place with one shoe and no idea what her children wore the first day of school. Now, the same woman works at Charlie's Place and her six children live with her.

After the video, Glenda Kane made a few remarks. She isn't one to remain quiet, and told the group she was honored and privileged to take part in this project, reminding all the attendees of their responsibility to provide services for the everyday, ordinary people who need help. She got my attention by pointing out every dollar applied to treatment saves $8 in other resources (law enforcement, criminal justice, etc.). I'm not great at math, but that is an 87 percent savings. Who wouldn't want that?