It was three years ago, in October 2008, when Tim’s House was dedicated and doors opened to the first six residents to begin their transition to a healthier and happier life.  In this short three years more than 40  young men have resided and healed in the home dedicated to the spirit and memory of Tim Griffith.  The home is located in Redwood City, and is a unique joint partnership between public and private organizations including Bridges drug treatment program, Service League of San Mateo County, and the Tim Griffith Foundation.  As many of our supporters know, the Foundation grants $50,000 annually for the operation of Tim’s House.  Karen Franconi, Director at the Service League, shares that the funds are used in both the operation of Tim’s House as well as the basic daily needs of the residents.  Utilities, linens, kitchen suppliers, cleaning supplies, insurance, as well as a portion of salary paid to the Case Manager are all important needs for providing this clean and sober living environment for young men in transition.

Members of the Foundation have been proud to attend the Bridges Drug Treatment program graduations of the residents over the years.  All residents of Tim’s House are required to maintain sobriety to remain in residency.  The young men learn life skills and obtain employment so they can prepare for living on their own when they leave Tim’s House.

In 2004, Tim was a successful graduate himself of the Bridges drug treatment program.  At that time, most program participants had to stay in halfway houses.  Fortunately for Tim, he had his family home to go to, and often brought some of the other Bridges participants to visit.  Tim’s mother, Stacey remembers asking Tim “Why do they have to live in a halfway house?” and Tim said “Mom, not everyone has a safe place to go!”  And it was that conversation that Stacey remembered after Tim’s passing that inspired the creation of Tim’s House.

Over the years, some of the resident’s have asked why the Foundation supports Tim’s House, our response is simple:  to honor Tim’s memory, and to do something Tim would be proud of.

The impact of Tim’s House extends beyond the lives of the residents as many have children and family that need a stable and responsible male figure in their lives.  On October 23, 2010, the intake case manager for Tim’s House, Wendy, interviewed and accepted a resident into Tim’s House who had not seen his child in two years as he was incarcerated.  Today, the Tim’s House manager, a responsibility given to one of the residents in good standing, has 10 months of sobriety and is able to enjoy visits with his one year old daughter.

The majority of the funding for the annual $50,000 grant to Tim’s House is raised during the Foundation’s annual Gala.  At this year’s Gala held on November 12th, we raised another year of funding for Tim’s House.  If you would like to support this important and much needed program, please visit our donation page.  If you would like more information about Tim’s House please contact Julie Gayner at jgayner@timgriffithfoundation.org.