Power Forward: Sober Living Scholarships for a Fresh Start

The journey to recovery from substance use disorder is often fraught with challenges. Securing stable housing is critically important for people on the recovery journey, reducing stress and allowing individuals to focus on their wellness instead of survival. Recognizing this need, numerous organizations and programs have emerged to provide financial assistance for sober living, offering a vital bridge between treatment and independent living. Among these initiatives, the Power Forward Sober Living Scholarship stands out, alongside other valuable resources like the Herren Project, Curran's Calling, and the Sunrise Fund.

Power Forward Sober Living Scholarship

The Power Forward Sober Living Scholarship provides scholarships for people in recovery to live in sober living residences. Power Forward is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals in early recovery by providing financial assistance for sober living. Whether you are battling for the Stanley Cup or fighting for your recovery, you cannot do it alone. That’s why we created the Power Forward Sober Living Scholarship. Our scholarships cover the cost of rent at these facilities and provide additional support for your recovery. We aim to respond to everyone within 12 hours. If you are in crisis, call SAMHSA at 1.800.662.4357 or click HERE are immediate resources.

The Vision Behind Power Forward

Founder Kevin Stevens (retired NHL star in recovery) felt that the first few weeks immediately following treatment were some of the most challenging. And so he conceived of a six week Sober Living Scholarship, designed not to carry someone throughout their recovery, but to give them the time to get back up on their own two feet and recover with dignity.

Scholarship Details

The Power Forward Sober Lifestyle Scholarship provides up to six weeks of sober housing and/or a membership to Fit to Recover for those in recovery. The Power Forward Sober Living Scholarship provides your first three to six weeks of sober housing for those in recovery. Power Forward offers three to six week scholarships to vetted MASH Certified Sober Homes that we have pre-existing relationships. The program funds housing costs for individuals in residential programs during the weeks immediately following treatment.

How to Apply

If you’d like to apply for a scholarship, follow these steps:

Visit our list of affiliated sober living homes, or map. These are homes that we believe provide excellent services to their residents.
Tell them that you are planning to apply for a Power Forward Scholarship.
Wait for their response.

Power Forward Utah’s Sober Lifestyle Scholarship provides up to six weeks of sober housing.

Geographic Focus

While it is our goal to one day expand the scope of this incredible project, we are currently able to offer sober living scholarships in MASSACHUSETTS ONLY.

Additional Sober Living Scholarship and Financial Aid Resources

Beyond Power Forward, several other organizations offer financial assistance for sober living, each with its eligibility criteria and scope.

Herren Project: Recovery Housing & Coaching Scholarships

Herren Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals in recovery from substance use disorder.

Who It’s For: Individuals who have recently completed addiction treatment and are motivated to continue their recovery journey in a sober living environment.
Eligibility: Applicants must be currently enrolled in an addiction treatment program, be referred by a case manager, counselor, or be a current Herren Project client, demonstrate motivation for recovery and a commitment to living in a structured sober house, and be willing to work with an assigned Herren Project recovery coach.

Curran’s Calling

Curran’s Calling is a nonprofit scholarship foundation dedicated to helping individuals seeking recovery access structured sober living by providing financial assistance. Their scholarships bridge the gap between inpatient treatment and independent living, relieving some of the financial burden placed on individuals and their families.

What It Covers: Up to $750 to cover move-in costs and/or room and board at a vetted sober house, followed by an additional $500 after completing 30 days in the program.
How to Apply: Individuals must complete an application through Curran’s Calling and provide documentation of their recovery journey and financial need.

The Sunrise Fund

The Sunrise Fund is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals in their journey toward sustained addiction recovery.

What It Covers: The scholarship provides funding for the first month’s rent in a Sunrise Fund-approved sober house.
Eligibility: Applicants must be substance-free, not participating in Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), have acceptance into a Sunrise Fund-approved sober house, actively engage in a 12-step program with a sponsor, and have a professional recommendation if in a CSS or TSS program.

Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP)

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) is a global Catholic organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families in need through various charitable services.

Who It’s For: Individuals and families facing financial hardship, including those transitioning from addiction treatment who need financial assistance for sober living.
What It Covers: Some local SVdP conferences may offer sober living rent assistance, such as covering the first month’s rent to help individuals secure employment and achieve financial stability.
How to Apply: Applicants should locate their nearest SVdP conference, contact them to inquire about available programs, and undergo a confidential needs assessment conducted by an SVdP volunteer (Vincentian).

Rise Again: The Sabrina Best Foundation

Rise Again: The Sabrina Best Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Massachusetts women in recovery by providing financial assistance for sober living.

What It Covers: Up to one month’s rent in a MASH-certified and Rise Again-approved sober house, with the possibility of renewal based on need and progress. Payments are made directly to the sober living home.
Eligibility: Applicants must be Massachusetts residents, be accepted into an approved sober living home, and have a recommendation from a clinician, case manager, probation officer, or treatment center personnel if in CSS or TSS.

Additional Programs in Massachusetts

The Residential Assistance Program (RAP): Provides temporary financial assistance to individuals in early recovery who need help covering the cost of sober living in MASH-certified sober houses. The RAP program has been reopened and accepting new applicants.
The Access to Recovery (ATR) program: Provides financial assistance to individuals in early recovery who need help covering the cost of sober living in MASH-certified sober houses.
Project NORTH (Navigating Opioid Recovery Through Housing): Provides financial support to individuals recovering from opioid use disorder (OUD) who need help covering the cost of sober living in MASH-certified sober houses. Disclaimer: Project NORTH funding is generally available only to individuals who are involved with participating courts, and eligibility is determined through those court partnerships. It is not a universally accessible funding option for all individuals seeking sober living support in Massachusetts.
The Probation/Parole Grant Program: Supports individuals transitioning from incarceration to sober living environments.

LGBTQIA+ Specific Support

Release Recovery Foundation: Offers the Nic Pagano LGBTQIA+ Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance to individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community seeking support for sober living and addiction treatment.

The Importance of Sober Living Homes

Sober living homes are a vital part of the recovery journey, providing a safe, supportive, and structured environment for individuals transitioning from treatment to independent living. They offer a crucial step-down approach, allowing individuals to practice coping mechanisms and build a strong foundation for long-term sobriety in a real-world setting.

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Power Forward: Sober Living Scholarships for a Fresh Start