The Charleston Recovery Center, a division of God’s House of Hope (GHOH), held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday, April 5, marking the launch of the fourth location of GHOH.
The Charleston facility, dedicated to Casey Young, the late son of Jeff Young and Amy Coyle, executive director and co-founder of GHOH, holds great significance. Though not personally afflicted by drug addiction, Casey tragically passed away from an accidental overdose at the age of 24 in March 2023. In honoring his love for life and vibrant spirit, the new center stands as a tribute to Casey.
Throughout the ceremony, multiple GHOH staff members shared the organization’s journey. The expansion to four locations wasn’t initially anticipated. The first location in Nettleton, established in 2017, was originally seen as sufficient. Rebekah Johnson, the assistant executive director at GHOH Kilmichael, reflected that this expansion wasn't part of their original vision, but rather a testament to unforeseen divine intervention.
“In the beginning, I think I just thought there would be Nettleton and there would be nothing else, and here we are at No. 4 for God’s House of Hope,” Johnson said.
Coyle also took the stage to speak about her son, Casey, emphasizing the significance of his father, Jeff Young, and sister, Christina Young Testerman, being present at the event. She shared aspects of her own journey, highlighting Young’s role in raising Casey due to her struggles with addiction.
“I walked in a set of doors just like this 10 years ago,” Coyle shared. “And the sad truth is, this man had to raise our child because I was a wreck.”
She also expressed that despite the loss of Casey, his legacy will live on through GHOH, saving the lives of the men that walk through the doors of the Charleston location.
Members of Casey Young's family are, from left, Deborah Young, Jeff Young, Christina Young Testerman, Nick Coyle and Amy Coyle. (Photo by Tiffany Otis/The Winona Times)
Casey's father and sister made the journey from North Carolina in Casey’s cherished truck to attend the significant event. When they spoke about GHOH's endeavors, they expressed nothing but admiration.
“It’s amazing, I love what they’re doing,” Mr. Young remarked.
They also spoke of the love they had for Casey and the love Casey had for others, as proven by his diverse group of friends from various backgrounds.
“He had the biggest variety of friends,” Mr. Young said. “There would be people pulling in on a Harley, and then a preacher would pull in behind him.”
While they grieve the loss of their son and brother, they cherish the memory of who he was and the joy he found in life.
“He lived life to the fullest,” Testerman concluded.
The Charleston Recovery Center is a 5,000-square-foot, all-male residential treatment and recovery facility operated by GHOH through a lease agreement with City on a Hill Ministries, a Tallahatchie County-based nonprofit governed by a local board of directors. The center will be under the leadership of Patrick McGee and Raymond Schroyer of GHOH.
Ed Hargett, president of the City on a Hill Ministries board of directors, said many local people have been working for about three years to make the Recovery Center a reality.
“We’ve had roadblocks and potholes to overcome, but it’s worked out and the Lord has blessed us,” Hargett noted. “We hope we’re going to provide a program here for alcoholics and drug addicts to recover, as well as anybody suffering from a mental health illness, or whatever their problem or recovery need is.”
Hargett explained that the center, which can accommodate up to 20 male residents, is open to anyone from the area, not just Tallahatchians.
Ray Clolinger, City on a Hill Ministries vice president, said the center is part of a Divine plan.
“This has been God’s plan from the beginning. There’s no doubt about it,” he noted. “It brought together the community, working together as a team. It’s been a process where God’s been involved with it all the way.”
Clolinger said he believes GHOH is “a perfect fit for what we need here, and I can’t wait to see the results that come from this.”
The center operates solely on donations.
Anyone who would like to donate may do so at https://www.ghohkilmichael.com/donate, or in person at the facility, located at 30104 Mississippi Highway 32, Charleston.
Sun-Sentinel Editor and Publisher Clay McFerrin contributed to this story.
