Chris and Tammy Lund will see the fulfillment of many hours of hard work and "a leap of faith" when they open City on a Hill on November 1. The women's residential substance abuse treatment center will offer something different from most other centers because the focus of their treatment program will be faith based. When asked about the name of the facility, City on a Hill, Chris quickly pointed to Matthew 5:14-16. "You are the world's light-a city on a hill, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will praise your heavenly Father."

The couple has leased Camp Christy from the American Baptist Association for 9 months out of the year to provide a rural setting for 16 residential clients. The location is 9 miles North of Scott City, Kansas. They have also opened an outpatient treatment center which will be open 12-months a year, at their Scott City office at 211 North Main, Suite 114 (The U.S. Post Office Building).

Working with substance abusers is not new to Chris or Tammy. Together, they bring a total of 30 years of experience to the substance abuse treatment field and recovery efforts. Both are licensed by the state to provide substance abuse counseling. They are also registered volunteers for the Kansas Department of Corrections and have an active music ministry. Chris has been, and will continue to be, a counselor with the Garden City New Chance outpatient treatment center. Tammy has been employed at Syracuse Chemical Addiction Treatment Center. In addition, both of them can relate to the issues that substance abusers face as they are both recovering alcoholics with 12 and 18 years of sobriety under their belts.

They will utilize cognitive behavior approaches in treating their clients and one of their main tools is the Life Recovery Bible where the 12 steps of recovery program is highlighted through scripture. Chris points out that the first 3 steps are the most important: Step 1 - We admitted we were powerless over our addiction - that our lives had become unmanageable, Step 2 - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity, Step 3 - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.

Chris describes their faith based program as, "Based on our faith in Christ, but no religious convictions are required of clients. We will, however, share our experiences, strength and hope and especially our faith in Christ in the hopes that the clients too will recover." Chris also likes to share stories from the Bible and shows how Christ healed people of all sorts of illnesses and demonic possessions, and how this relates to the demons of alcoholism and drug addiction. They say, "Healing is a physical, emotional and spiritual process."

When asked why they chose a women's treatment facility, they pointed out that the care of every family is the mother. "Save a mother, save a family and break the cycle of demonic addiction."

The center will offer clients a dormitory style of living with 4 women per room. In addition, each cottage has a kitchen and living room. They will operate a universal dining hall which will double as the room for group counseling. Clients will also be trained in life-skills and household chores as they are responsible for their own living areas.

Chris and Tammy are quick to point out that the rural site will also offer added benefits for their clients. First, it is 9 miles from city conveniences and distractions, clients will be able to slow down, observe nature (along with wild turkey and deer) and return to the basics of life. There is also a playground where families may bring children for weekend family visits. Other activities available for clients include basketball courts, Frisbee golf course, a ropes course, a climbing wall, exercise equipment and lots of pine trees. Many of the outdoor activities will also be utilized in teaching clients teamwork, trust and self-esteem.

This project has not been accomplished over-night. Some of the requirements to open such a facility include money, a facility, 24-hour staff, a manual complying with state regulations and a board of directors. Members of the board of directors are: President Christopher Lund, Vice President Tammy Lund, Dr. Kenne Whitson, Rev. William Fitzgerald, Mike Schupman and Kelly Linnenberger. Miraculously, virtually every door has been opened and the couple has watched as their dream is coming to fulfillment. They have also received overwhelming community support with grants from the Scott Community Foundation, Scott City and Scott County. In addition, they have received support from Lane, Wichita, Hamilton, Logan, Kearney, Wallace and Greeley towns and counties.

The 30-day program is available through state funded sources, SRS, Medicaid and private-pay. The Lunds have established a $125 per day ($3,700 monthly) target for their clients. They point out that some private facilities charge up to $12,000 for a month-long treatment program. Unfortunately, people in addiction treatment facilities traditionally fail three times before they succeed. That's where the Lunds trust that the "faith" part of their treatment will come into play to beat the odds.

For further information about City on a Hill, contact Chris or Tammy Lund at 620-872-5713. The mailing address is City on a Hill, P.O. Box 401, Scott City, Kansas 67871.