December 3, 2003

Gatehouse Academy:
Part of a larger community circle

By Lora Neu, Editor

A microcosm of a community, Gatehouse has a prominent location on Wickenburg Way, just west of the underpass. Like the greater community of which it is a part, the residents of Gatehouse spend their days working, studying, participating in-group activities to build their leadership skills and improve their lives, as well as enjoying social activities.

The Gatehouse community, however, is made up of 55 young adults between the ages of 17 and 24. Gatehouse is a "transitional living" community for young adults who have been struggling with chemical dependency. Currently, Gatehouse has enough facilities to house about 75 residents. Most of the Gatehouse residents have already been through drug treatment centers, rehabilitation, or other residential settings.

Gatehouse is not a rehabilitation facility. The mission of Gatehouse is to teach young adults the skills they need to move beyond rehabilitation and learn to make it in the real world. For the residents, the real world that they are learning their skills in is Gatehouse.

"I've been able to cheat my way through a program before," said Adam Sully, a Gatehouse resident. The typical stay at Gatehouse is 12-13 months. That long-term commitment makes a difference for the residents, and is especially effective for the age group. "I found out pretty quickly that Gatehouse was something different," he said. Now a Gatehouse graduate and junior staff member, Adam built most of the fences Wickenburg residents see when they drive by the property.

A strong work ethic is followed at the residence, and those who live there spend two hours each morning working around the grounds and buildings.

"It's a choice," says Allison Earl, finance director of Gatehouse. "They choose to be here, and they choose recovery." As all adults learn to control their own behavior, so Gatehouse is "self-governed."
The Gatehouse environment is an opportunity for the residents to learn real life skills, explains Earl. While the community is self-governed, there are many expectations on the residents. Those who have been in the program longest take on a leadership role with the newest residents.

That leadership role translates into responsibility. Leaders are always found among any group of
Gatehouse residents who might be out in the community. And they do interact with the community.
Grocery shopping at Bashas', attending karate classes at the local dojo, attending graduations and family gatherings held at the Wickenburg Community Center, and going to the bowling alley are some of the places Wickenburg residents may run into their fellow Gatehouse residents

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Earl says that Gatehouse has some "solid relationships with businesses in the community." Family and guests stay in local hotels. The residents shop at local grocery stores. Gatehouse banks locally as well as patronizing local businesses. "We like to give most of our business to the local community," she said.

"We don't need a lot of policing," says Earl. "We're not a lock-down community." As in real life, however, Gatehouse residents have many demands on their time. Housekeeping, cooking meals, personal hygiene, school, therapy and meetings, in addition to work ethic-take up most of their time from 6:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. And then it's lights out at 10 p.m.

Part of the success of Gatehouse is the high expectations of behavior that residents are required to meet.

"We are very mindful of maintaining the integrity of the Gatehouse community," Earl said. And it is the same with the Wickenburg community.

"They are respected and respectful citizens," she says of Gatehouse residents.

"You'll know our kids if you see them," explains Marni Standen, Gatehouse director of family communications. "Short hair, shirts tucked in, no midriff showing, no facial hair, and no piercings," are just some of the expectations Gatehouse residents are to apply to their appearance. "A rigid dress code is adhered to," she said

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Any challenges the Gatehouse staff may encounter are quickly addressed. New residents coming to Gatehouse are evaluated, and if it is determined that detox is required, that resident is sent to a facility in Phoenix.

Later, if any residents break Gatehouse rules, there are challenged by fellow residents and held responsible for their actions. Likewise, in the greater community of Wickenburg, Gatehouse residents are held accountable for their actions.

Earl tells of one incident in which a resident was caught shoplifting cough syrup from a local grocer. That resident was prosecuted and taken to court over the broken law, and he had to make restitution.
Wickenburg resident and psychologist Don Durham is the therapy director for Gatehouse and oversees weekly sessions with residents. In private practice in Wickenburg, Durham also spent six years as senior vice president of clinical services at Remuda Ranch.

With a price tag of $5,500 per month, per resident, not just anyone can afford the option that Gatehouse offers.
Gatehouse founders Gale and Ted Earl between them have years of experience in the are of the 12-step recovery system. The Earls are Canadian and came to Wickenburg to retire. When they found that the town was recovery-oriented they decided to open Gatehouse as a "retirement endeavor."

Gatehouse is overseen by a board of directors, both American and Canadian. Its executive staff includes Allison Earl who is the daughter of founder Ted Earl, Marni Standen, daughter of founder Gale Earl, and Kent Sherman, director of marketing and admissions. Presently Allison Earl spends about 10 days per month on-site at Gatehouse.

Locally, management of Gatehouse is made up of Dave Johnson, director of education, Don Durham, director of therapy, Tammy Monnett, director of campus operations, and Jim Hanley, executive vice president. Of the four local staff, three of them live in Wickenburg. Dave Johnson commutes from the west valley.

The facility offers accredited classes, recreational opportunities, yoga, karate, art, and vocational education.
Gatehouse gives its residents a chance to learn how to learn real life skills and put them to use.