“Our theory is that not everyone who is addicted to
drugs needs to be in prison,” said Steve. “There are rehab
facilities where addicts can become equipped to overcome
the addiction and reenter society.” Addiction is a treatable
disease. As the Hutchinsons learned about different rehab
facilities in the surrounding counties, other families in
the community in similar situations began reaching out to
them for advice, and the idea of building their own rehab
facility began to take form. “As far as we knew, the Dream
Center was the only rehab/sober living home in Toombs
County, and it is strictly for women,” said Steve.
After a year of talking and praying, the Hutchinsons
took a leap of faith with a loan for fifteen acres of land in
Cedar Crossing. Then, they took out another loan for a
building. “Most rehab facilities are owned and often run
by recovering addicts. I’ve never used any kind of drugs
in my life,” said Chastity. “I can’t fully understand the
battle an addict faces daily. But I do know the other side.
I know the battle that the mom, dad, brother, and sister
face. Addiction doesn’t just affect the addict. It drags every
The Hutchinsons purchased land in Cedar Crossing to build the
Hope House. The location was the home of the original Lady
Renee and housed a laundromat and barber shop.
86 TOOMBS COUNTY MAGAZINE