New Rehabilitation Center Pledges Support to the Community by brooklyn sauer drug addiction is becoming an increasingly prevalent issue in our community, and the workers at Robert Alexander hope to help that. “A lot of people are in need, unfortunately, and a lot of people are scared to talk about it or come forward. And I hope that we give that safe haven to speak to someone about it,” Thornsberry said.
A community improves by learning to help and lift up its fellow members. The Robert Alexander Center for Recovery is a new facility in Mount Washington for individuals with drug/alcohol addictions to seek help and overcome their dependence. Many of the founders of the rehabilitation center were childhood friends with the building’s namesake. The building process was a long and winding road to get to the actual finished product that stands today. The center was made with a certain goal in mind that their workers strive towards every day. “All three of the owners, as well as James Sweasy, all grew up here and we all used (drugs/alcohol) here,” Thornsberry said.
This is the memorial inside of the rehab center
dedicated to Alex Buky. This was understandably Those who worked on the a setback for the project at the time, but ultimately project tried their hardest gave a new meaning to the center. “When he passed away, the idea of starting the organization to make this place the up here kind of… went to the wayside for a little bit “safe haven” for those who as we mourned his loss,” Thornsberry said. were struggling with their addictions. The center has a full-time staff available 24 hours of the day, 7 days a week in an effort to make their place a “five-star resort treatment facility.” Additionally, the center offers four scholarships for those who may struggle to cover the bill. “Our whole goal is not only to help with substance abuse and mental issues, but it’s also to try and bring the town back together,” Thornsberry said.
Along with being friends with the current owners, Thornsberry was also friends with the building’s namesake, Alex Buky. The friends had originally made plans for the building together, but Buky sadly passed in his sleep on his 2-year sobriety date in November 2016. This led to the building being named after him in honor of all he had done for the project. “Alex was probably one of the most lovable guys you’ll ever know,” Thornsberry said. The group had originally planned for Buky to be the director of operations and take on a big role in the project. After his passing, Thornsberry was asked to take the role of running the project as executive director. After thinking about it, Thornsberry decided to take the position. “This officially opened at the end of October/early November of 2020… so very very recent, it’s been a four-year project to get everything up to code, everything where it needs to be, everything built,” Thornsberry said.
Robert Alexander is very supportive and active in Mount Washington’s community. By doing things such as donating thousands to the Mount Washington Football and Cheer Association, to buying a little league team and holding free registration, they go above and beyond to support groups and individuals in the community. Additionally, Robert Alexander’s generosity connects back to their main focus which is helping with substance abuse. “The number one aspect of how to stay sober is to give back, so that’s kind of our philosophy. Within the first six months of opening,
The vision for the rehab center dates all the way back into 2015. From the original idea, to talking to city hall and the mayor, to the actual building and hiring processes, this project has been through a lot to get to where it is today. “It’s very close-knit and to the heart. A lot of passion in this project,” Thornsberry said. This project was kept very close to Buky’s family and friends. His grandfather, mayor Barry Armstrong, was the one that granted the land for this project. The building itself was built by his father, and now childhood friends like Thornsberry get to run the center. This was understandably very emotional for everyone involved in the project. “We (the owners and Sweasy) abused drugs, we used alcohol as a coping skill while we were in high school, and even after high school. So we knew that the demand was here, that the town needed it,” Thornsberry said. This is one of the main reasons why the owners decided to bring their idea back to Mount Washington. The issue of alcohol and 13
