On September 25th, 2024 Reflection House celebrated its grand opening and ribbon cutting, marking a significant milestone for the community. Located on a pristine property in the heart of Garrett County, Reflection House uses a social enterprise model, for residents to receive training in life and relationship skills, job skills, and real-world coping skills to support their sustained recovery.
The grand opening event, hosted by the Reflection House Board of Directors, founders, and staff, as well as the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce and the Garrett County Department of Business Development, drew a large crowd of local residents, government officials, volunteers, and donors, all gathered to celebrate the opening of this transformative facility. The ceremony began with heartfelt speeches from Board Members and local and state leaders, each emphasizing the critical role Reflection House will play in offering women a safe place to live while rebuilding their lives in the recovery of substance and alcohol use disorder.
A Place for Healing
Reflection House is designed to serve as a place of healing for women who are seeking refuge and recovery by providing stable housing, peer support services, peer-led group meetings, linkages to community resources, and life skills development. The facility is part of a larger initiative aimed at building a more robust network of recovery support services that will help address the ongoing opioid crisis and overall substance use disorder challenges in Garrett County and surrounding areas.
For many women, Reflection House will be a stepping stone towards rebuilding their lives, providing a stable and supportive environment that fosters hope and personal growth. Reflection House is committed to the use of holistic approaches to promote physical, mental, and spiritual healing and shall be operated exclusively to provide a safe, empowering, peer led, and person-centered environment, supportive of all recovery pathways.
Key Speakers and Community Involvement
Suzette Merrick, President of Reflection House and owner of the property, began the ceremony with an emotional and heartfelt speech, sharing the deep personal history behind the land and its significance to her family. The property, which had been home to generations of the Winters family, had once served as a cherished family residence, but over time, it became a gathering place for parties involving substance and alcohol use. Tragically, Suzette lost her father in 2023 to substance use disorder, leaving her in possession of the family home at a time when Reflection House was searching for a space to serve its mission.
In her speech, Suzette spoke about how she believed the house was meant for a greater purpose—to offer hope, healing, and recovery for women battling similar struggles. She explained that transforming the home into Reflection House felt like the perfect way to honor both her family’s memory and the property’s history.
Her personal connection to the cause resonated deeply with the audience, leaving many visibly moved. The story of her family’s journey, one that so many others share, underscored the importance of the home’s new role as a place of refuge and recovery.
Jaimie Bell, Program Coordinator for Reflection House shared moving stories of the community members who visited during the Open House, some of which were potential Reflection House residents sharing feelings of hopefulness about becoming a resident. Jaimie knows many individuals who have benefitted from similar initiatives and expressed excitement for the future of this new chapter in Garrett County. Jaimie, who has served as a board member for three years, and as Board President for the past 7 months, recently moved into a temporary role as the Program Coordinator to fill a need within the organization. Jaimie brings a wealth of substance use disorder experience to the role, as the Garrett and Allegany County, Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health, Family Peer Support Specialist for the Maryland Coalition of Families. Suzette credited Jaimie with “getting us over the finish line” in her role as a board member and President of the Board. The Board is grateful for Jaimie’s willingness to shift into the Program Coordinator position to continue to tackle the hard work of developing a thorough and successful recovery residence program.
“Today isn’t just about cutting a ribbon; it’s about opening the door to new beginnings. Creating new legacies. Over the past two days of the open house, we welcomed 90 visitors! So many conversations and new understandings about recovery were built, and many bonds and connections. As we cut this ribbon, let it symbolize not just the opening of a building, but the opening of hearts and minds. Let it remind us that recovery is possible, and that together, we can create a community rooted in compassion and understanding.” Bell said.
Local officials in attendance included Delegate Jim Hinebaugh; County Commissioners Paul Edwards and Larry Tichnell; Grant Program Director Khalil Cutair with Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response; County Administrator Kevin Null; State’s Attorney Christian Mash; Oakland Mayor Andrew Sauder and Mountain Lake Park Mayor Don Sincell; Oakland Business Coordinator/Main Street Manager Valerie Stemac; and Emily Tusing from the Garrett County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
Delegate Jim Hinebaugh, Commissioners Paul Edwards and Larry Tichnell, Mayor Andrew Sauder, and Grant Program Director Khalil Cutair each spoke to offer heartfelt words of congratulations, gratitude, and encouragement.
It Takes a Village
Reflection House was founded in September 2019 by Tom Dabney. Tom, a local retired attorney, spent many years representing women in Garrett County and saw firsthand the struggles and injustices they faced in the community. Access to treatment and resources locally was non-existent so he set out to change that. He was quickly joined by Ruth Beitzel, Sadie Liller, and Linda Bolden and the Reflection House was born.
The facility itself was made possible through the efforts of local donors, volunteers, and organizations committed to giving back to the community. Businesses, nonprofit groups, and individuals alike came together to support the construction and development of Reflection House, making it a true community-driven effort. The Reflection House Board of Directors, Staff, and Founders are so grateful for the overwhelming outpouring of support from the community and want to state that this would not have been possible without the tremendous love and support shown to Reflection House.
A Ripple of Positive Change
The opening of Reflection House is expected to have a ripple effect throughout Garrett County. With addiction affecting families across the region, the house stands as a symbol of the community’s resilience and commitment to offering solutions.
As the ribbon was cut and the doors officially opened, guests were invited to tour the facility, explore the various amenities and resources available, and learn more about how they can get involved in supporting the ongoing mission of Reflection House.
For those in need of help or looking to volunteer, Reflection House represents a new chapter of hope and opportunity in Garrett County. It’s not just a house—it’s a lifeline.
Get Involved
Community members are encouraged to get involved with Reflection House, whether through donations, volunteering, or offering services to the women who will benefit from its programs. To learn more or to offer support, visit our Get Involved Page or contact us.
Reflection House is proof that when a community comes together with a shared vision of compassion and empowerment, positive change is not just possible—it’s inevitable.
