James | We have bed
checks here every night.
Jared | We live on property,
we're here in case of
emergency for our clients,
we help them with
everything from referrals to
food stamps right down to
mental health, dentistry, you
name it. Lot of these guys
come in they finally have just
come out of detox, they're
not ready to be isolated and
left alone. This is their place to
reintegrate back into society, to learn how to manage money and that seems to be the first thing
to disappear, when someone falls into drugs and alcohol is the whole responsibility factor of taking
care of yourself. So it's the one thing we push the hardest, employment being the first.
Armando | How many residents would you be able to take at one time?
James | We can house up to (26). We have (3) buildings on property that almost equals an acre
of land.
Armando | What sort of non-profit organizations do you hook them (your clients) up with?
Jared | Poverello Food Bank, EDP.. James | Out of the Closet..
Jared | Henderson Mental Health..,um James | Bridges of Wellness..
*The Sanctuary House offers the Joseph C. "Buddy" Sanzeri Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Fund (named in honor of James's brother who suffered a drug abuse related
death).
The scholarship is offered to anyone who needs assistance (2) weeks in, while the
House helps them find work, the fund helps provide the purchase of clothes for
checks here every night.
Jared | We live on property,
we're here in case of
emergency for our clients,
we help them with
everything from referrals to
food stamps right down to
mental health, dentistry, you
name it. Lot of these guys
come in they finally have just
come out of detox, they're
not ready to be isolated and
left alone. This is their place to
reintegrate back into society, to learn how to manage money and that seems to be the first thing
to disappear, when someone falls into drugs and alcohol is the whole responsibility factor of taking
care of yourself. So it's the one thing we push the hardest, employment being the first.
Armando | How many residents would you be able to take at one time?
James | We can house up to (26). We have (3) buildings on property that almost equals an acre
of land.
Armando | What sort of non-profit organizations do you hook them (your clients) up with?
Jared | Poverello Food Bank, EDP.. James | Out of the Closet..
Jared | Henderson Mental Health..,um James | Bridges of Wellness..
*The Sanctuary House offers the Joseph C. "Buddy" Sanzeri Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Fund (named in honor of James's brother who suffered a drug abuse related
death).
The scholarship is offered to anyone who needs assistance (2) weeks in, while the
House helps them find work, the fund helps provide the purchase of clothes for
they can get up and be a part of society too. That's just how we feel about it. I'm (1) of (11)
children, you know when you were raised like that everyone had to pull their own weight or nothing
worked.
Armando | Do you have a time limit for how long a resident can stay @ Sanctuary House?
James | There is no time limit on this sort of thing...usually when the clients feel that they're ready to
go back out and live as productive members of society, that's when the moment arrives.
Armando | What kind of political outreach have you had from local government if any?
James | ...the community that's actually been involved in this place...this was a test by fire! They
wanted to see if we'd actually stick it out and do what we said we'd do. For the (4th) time some
body's tried this, the only difference is we actually wanted everybody involved. The city
commissioner, Commissioner Newton just donated items out of his house for our yard sale. We've
had city commissioners, former mayors, and a few judges come through here.
As we concluded our interview, I asked the gentlemen if they had anything that
they would like to add, "You know we're just getting started...I think if we continue
on the track that we're going that this place will be here long after us."
I was then taken on a tour of the property and had an up close & personal look at the residential
units, as well as a couple of the residents themselves. And by the way, a shout out to the
scantily-clad resident who was trying to cool off, 'thanks for the view, it was not bad'. The grounds
offer multiple living quarters, a pool, a stage, a BBQ and picnic area, as well as a gym space for
working out! It's simply fantastic so look out Betty Ford! And construction is far from done. The
House was also recently donated a Winnebago, which Jared and James plan to perhaps
incorporate into field trips and travel excursions for the residents, looking towards the future.
Since opening it's doors, Sanctuary House has assisted over (94) people reintegrate themselves
and rebuild their lives. On their revamped website Jared states, "We hope that a stay with us will
evoke both a need and desire to return to independent living with the confidence that former
clients now enjoy. We know that making a decision to alter your life can be stressful, at times; and
our goal is to make your stay the beginning to great things."
children, you know when you were raised like that everyone had to pull their own weight or nothing
worked.
Armando | Do you have a time limit for how long a resident can stay @ Sanctuary House?
James | There is no time limit on this sort of thing...usually when the clients feel that they're ready to
go back out and live as productive members of society, that's when the moment arrives.
Armando | What kind of political outreach have you had from local government if any?
James | ...the community that's actually been involved in this place...this was a test by fire! They
wanted to see if we'd actually stick it out and do what we said we'd do. For the (4th) time some
body's tried this, the only difference is we actually wanted everybody involved. The city
commissioner, Commissioner Newton just donated items out of his house for our yard sale. We've
had city commissioners, former mayors, and a few judges come through here.
As we concluded our interview, I asked the gentlemen if they had anything that
they would like to add, "You know we're just getting started...I think if we continue
on the track that we're going that this place will be here long after us."
I was then taken on a tour of the property and had an up close & personal look at the residential
units, as well as a couple of the residents themselves. And by the way, a shout out to the
scantily-clad resident who was trying to cool off, 'thanks for the view, it was not bad'. The grounds
offer multiple living quarters, a pool, a stage, a BBQ and picnic area, as well as a gym space for
working out! It's simply fantastic so look out Betty Ford! And construction is far from done. The
House was also recently donated a Winnebago, which Jared and James plan to perhaps
incorporate into field trips and travel excursions for the residents, looking towards the future.
Since opening it's doors, Sanctuary House has assisted over (94) people reintegrate themselves
and rebuild their lives. On their revamped website Jared states, "We hope that a stay with us will
evoke both a need and desire to return to independent living with the confidence that former
clients now enjoy. We know that making a decision to alter your life can be stressful, at times; and
our goal is to make your stay the beginning to great things."
| . |
| . |
bank rented another apartment in the same building and it kind of just took off from there.
*Having took note of Jared's multiple rentals of the apartment units, City
First Mortgage of Hollywood, FL (which had the property originally listed
just @ $1.4 million dollars), offered the property to Jared for $336,000 and
advised Jared to put down whatever deposit he could, City First Mortgage
maintained its offer of holding the note on the property*
Armando | And how long ago was this?
James | We've been open just about (2) years now
Armando | And how did Tim come into this?
Jared | <laughs> We met at a social function and in the course of conversation, they
asked if I knew of a place where they could rent a stage for a benefit. And I said yes, I
actually have (1) in my warehouse and once I found out about the organization I said I
would donate the stage. We got a rapport going at that point.
Tim | I told them that I had recently started an events company and that I would help
them in the future with fundraisers, helping them brand it and build it!
Armando | What different kinds of people traffic do you have that comes through here?
Jared / We're a VERY community based organization, we're the only non-profit halfway
house that I know of that targets gay men in recovery. We chose that road simply
because, I worked as a criminal court reporter for most of my adult life. And the one thing
that I found was that gay tenants were coming through they were being misplaced. Being
placed in homes that were violent or abusive and there was no safety factor without a lot
of hiding or having to be dishonest about who you are. From there I felt that it was
something necessary, it was just necessary in our community here in Wilton Manors (Fort
Lauderdale).
Jared | We tend to gear towards drug and alcohol rehab, we have a good rapport with
both hospital and state, and out of state who refer clients to us due to our geographic
situation. We live in a city of gay men, gay men and women. This is a haven. And the city,
*Having took note of Jared's multiple rentals of the apartment units, City
First Mortgage of Hollywood, FL (which had the property originally listed
just @ $1.4 million dollars), offered the property to Jared for $336,000 and
advised Jared to put down whatever deposit he could, City First Mortgage
maintained its offer of holding the note on the property*
Armando | And how long ago was this?
James | We've been open just about (2) years now
Armando | And how did Tim come into this?
Jared | <laughs> We met at a social function and in the course of conversation, they
asked if I knew of a place where they could rent a stage for a benefit. And I said yes, I
actually have (1) in my warehouse and once I found out about the organization I said I
would donate the stage. We got a rapport going at that point.
Tim | I told them that I had recently started an events company and that I would help
them in the future with fundraisers, helping them brand it and build it!
Armando | What different kinds of people traffic do you have that comes through here?
Jared / We're a VERY community based organization, we're the only non-profit halfway
house that I know of that targets gay men in recovery. We chose that road simply
because, I worked as a criminal court reporter for most of my adult life. And the one thing
that I found was that gay tenants were coming through they were being misplaced. Being
placed in homes that were violent or abusive and there was no safety factor without a lot
of hiding or having to be dishonest about who you are. From there I felt that it was
something necessary, it was just necessary in our community here in Wilton Manors (Fort
Lauderdale).
Jared | We tend to gear towards drug and alcohol rehab, we have a good rapport with
both hospital and state, and out of state who refer clients to us due to our geographic
situation. We live in a city of gay men, gay men and women. This is a haven. And the city,
| . |
| . |
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www.ambiente.us JUNE| JUNIO 2010
Jared Cashner and James Sanzeri are Changing Lives &
Attitudes |Owners of the Sanctuary House, Fort Lauderdale
by Armando Diaz
Near the heart of Wilton Manors, driving past 116 NW 25th Street (just west of
Andrews Avenue), you might not think twice to look upon it. You might not think
it anything aside from another "fixer-upper" in the ravaged real estate
landscape of Fort Lauderdale. However 116 NW 25th Street is not only an
example of how to once again, NOT judge a book by it's cover. But it is also a
beacon of perseverance, hope, and determination.
The House was founded by Jared Cashner (45, a native of Kentucky) and his
partner James Sanzeri (21, born and raised in Sunrise, FL), Sanctuary House's
evolution from a dilapidated and abandoned crack house into the beautiful
manifestation it is becoming today, is nothing short of an exercise in will power
and confidence. Those are the very elements that Jared and James inspire daily
upon their clients also referred to as "sanctuary residents".
The Sanctuary House's mission statement reads that, "The binding
mission... is a resolute commitment to excellence while
providing structure and direction for a life absent of the strain
caused by addiction".
I met with the couple on a balmy June afternoon, over nicely prepared
sandwiches, empanadas and refreshments. Sitting in with us was also Tim
Jared Cashner and James Sanzeri are Changing Lives &
Attitudes |Owners of the Sanctuary House, Fort Lauderdale
by Armando Diaz
Near the heart of Wilton Manors, driving past 116 NW 25th Street (just west of
Andrews Avenue), you might not think twice to look upon it. You might not think
it anything aside from another "fixer-upper" in the ravaged real estate
landscape of Fort Lauderdale. However 116 NW 25th Street is not only an
example of how to once again, NOT judge a book by it's cover. But it is also a
beacon of perseverance, hope, and determination.
The House was founded by Jared Cashner (45, a native of Kentucky) and his
partner James Sanzeri (21, born and raised in Sunrise, FL), Sanctuary House's
evolution from a dilapidated and abandoned crack house into the beautiful
manifestation it is becoming today, is nothing short of an exercise in will power
and confidence. Those are the very elements that Jared and James inspire daily
upon their clients also referred to as "sanctuary residents".
The Sanctuary House's mission statement reads that, "The binding
mission... is a resolute commitment to excellence while
providing structure and direction for a life absent of the strain
caused by addiction".
I met with the couple on a balmy June afternoon, over nicely prepared
sandwiches, empanadas and refreshments. Sitting in with us was also Tim
Harisses, who runs an area
events coordination and
promotions firm, which has
been instrumental in the
marketing and branding of
The Sanctuary House.
Armando | What was the
birth child for Sanctuary
House, how did it all come
about?
Jared | It actually came
about by accident, we had a
friend who had been down
and out, displaced and he
was homeless. We weren't
sure about inviting him into
our home, so instead we went
to go rent him an apartment
in what was a just dilapidated
and not at it's best. And we
rented the apartment and
put him in there to help him
out part time. Well before
we knew it, he had called a
few others whom he had told
about us and we called the
events coordination and
promotions firm, which has
been instrumental in the
marketing and branding of
The Sanctuary House.
Armando | What was the
birth child for Sanctuary
House, how did it all come
about?
Jared | It actually came
about by accident, we had a
friend who had been down
and out, displaced and he
was homeless. We weren't
sure about inviting him into
our home, so instead we went
to go rent him an apartment
in what was a just dilapidated
and not at it's best. And we
rented the apartment and
put him in there to help him
out part time. Well before
we knew it, he had called a
few others whom he had told
about us and we called the
| . |
well they weren't too thrilled at the first thought of having us here when they saw all the work and
how many other community partners got involved so quickly. From different churches to different
civic organizations to total strangers who'd send us checks in the mail and this is how this all came
to being right down to the chair that you're sitting on. We actually invite our police on property,
they come by all the time by invitation, they meet our guys and they realize that they're here for
the right reasons and we can get them help. Wilton Manors Police has done just that, they are truly
one of our biggest allies.
Armando | What's your specific role or title would you say then?
Jared | I own the property and am essentially the general manager, James handles all the daily
operations.
Armando | Now myself and our readers in trying to understand the functions within the Sanctuary
House, would you call yourself mentors?
Jared | That's a good question.
James | Yeah.
Jared | I don't think mentor is the right word, we live our lives like we're supposed to live, and we
don't expect more or less from anybody else that lives here. We (ourselves) follow the same rules.
We have curfew every night, 11 o'clock.
how many other community partners got involved so quickly. From different churches to different
civic organizations to total strangers who'd send us checks in the mail and this is how this all came
to being right down to the chair that you're sitting on. We actually invite our police on property,
they come by all the time by invitation, they meet our guys and they realize that they're here for
the right reasons and we can get them help. Wilton Manors Police has done just that, they are truly
one of our biggest allies.
Armando | What's your specific role or title would you say then?
Jared | I own the property and am essentially the general manager, James handles all the daily
operations.
Armando | Now myself and our readers in trying to understand the functions within the Sanctuary
House, would you call yourself mentors?
Jared | That's a good question.
James | Yeah.
Jared | I don't think mentor is the right word, we live our lives like we're supposed to live, and we
don't expect more or less from anybody else that lives here. We (ourselves) follow the same rules.
We have curfew every night, 11 o'clock.
| . |
job interviews, food, and transportation, as well as the cost for the primary need to
see a doctor. The scholarship has reached up to $4,000 dollars and is issued to
qualified applicants multiple times per year*
Armando | So you're close knit with pretty much all the major LGBT groups in the area?
Jared | Absolutely we would not have been able to survive without them. I'll give you a prime
example we have our van that was donated to us b/c they heard that our older van was broken
down, and even being brand new they donated it to us. We use it during the day to make some
money doing some courier delivering, it goes right back into the homeless fund. We have a flea
market that takes place here every other month...we've never taken a dime of government
money. We live off donations and what we earn for ourselves here.
Armando | The residents that are here are they different age groups?
James | Yes they are we've had residents as young as (18) we've had residents as old as (72), the
key is if they want help and are willing to accept help then we'll help them.
Armando | Now do you all have the rules of a 12-step program installed here?
James | Yes we do, we have a Sunday meeting here at 6 o'clock every week. They're required to
attend (4) outside meetings weekly with a sign in sheet managed by the chairperson of that
particular group. But not rules, I would call it more...guidelines.
Jared | Curfew... we all have to live by a curfew. We all have to go to work every day. Whether
you're employed or not that's still a part of life. Getting up and cooking for yourself and cleaning
for yourself...integrating back into society minus the drugs and alcohol, and there's a lot here to do!
We have the Fuzion Club (great social club), Java Boys (great social area...I spend a lot of my
hours there! We have sober league bowling, sober league softball teams...we have the GLCC
here. This is our home
Armando | Is there anything that would be considered a violation by a resident?
Jared | Yes, bringing drugs and alcohol on to the property...
James | Not coming home by curfew and/or missing a bed check.
Jared | We're willing to get up and we care enough about this to work second jobs and be here all
afternoon and working on this house non-stop...working on their schedules, finding them referrals..
see a doctor. The scholarship has reached up to $4,000 dollars and is issued to
qualified applicants multiple times per year*
Armando | So you're close knit with pretty much all the major LGBT groups in the area?
Jared | Absolutely we would not have been able to survive without them. I'll give you a prime
example we have our van that was donated to us b/c they heard that our older van was broken
down, and even being brand new they donated it to us. We use it during the day to make some
money doing some courier delivering, it goes right back into the homeless fund. We have a flea
market that takes place here every other month...we've never taken a dime of government
money. We live off donations and what we earn for ourselves here.
Armando | The residents that are here are they different age groups?
James | Yes they are we've had residents as young as (18) we've had residents as old as (72), the
key is if they want help and are willing to accept help then we'll help them.
Armando | Now do you all have the rules of a 12-step program installed here?
James | Yes we do, we have a Sunday meeting here at 6 o'clock every week. They're required to
attend (4) outside meetings weekly with a sign in sheet managed by the chairperson of that
particular group. But not rules, I would call it more...guidelines.
Jared | Curfew... we all have to live by a curfew. We all have to go to work every day. Whether
you're employed or not that's still a part of life. Getting up and cooking for yourself and cleaning
for yourself...integrating back into society minus the drugs and alcohol, and there's a lot here to do!
We have the Fuzion Club (great social club), Java Boys (great social area...I spend a lot of my
hours there! We have sober league bowling, sober league softball teams...we have the GLCC
here. This is our home
Armando | Is there anything that would be considered a violation by a resident?
Jared | Yes, bringing drugs and alcohol on to the property...
James | Not coming home by curfew and/or missing a bed check.
Jared | We're willing to get up and we care enough about this to work second jobs and be here all
afternoon and working on this house non-stop...working on their schedules, finding them referrals..
The Sanctuary House is a transitional sober living community, and is based in Broward County
serving all of South Florida.
For more information or to volunteer:
Please call 954-882-8363 (Office) or visit www.sanctuaryhouse.info
References:
Events Without Borders
Tim Harisses
www.eventswithoutborders.com
Wilton Manors Police Department
www.wmpd.org
Commissioner Scott Newton
www.votenewton.com
Fort Lauderdale Hospital
www.fortlauderdalehospital.org
954-895-6057
Photos by Armando Diaz, Jr.
CLICK HERE for more Armando Diaz, Jr.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
serving all of South Florida.
For more information or to volunteer:
Please call 954-882-8363 (Office) or visit www.sanctuaryhouse.info
References:
Events Without Borders
Tim Harisses
www.eventswithoutborders.com
Wilton Manors Police Department
www.wmpd.org
Commissioner Scott Newton
www.votenewton.com
Fort Lauderdale Hospital
www.fortlauderdalehospital.org
954-895-6057
Photos by Armando Diaz, Jr.
CLICK HERE for more Armando Diaz, Jr.
Copyright © AMBIENTE MAGAZINE. Do not reproduce without citing this source
| . |
