The Will County Board voted 17-2 in favor of the Second Story Foundation opening a rural retreat on a 68-acre horse farm in Crete Township to help men who are recovering from alcohol or drug abuse.

The nonprofit foundation is raising money to open Second Story Ranch at 2400 Bemes Road that would include about a 7,000-square-foot lodge with 15 beds to house men while they continue their recovery journey. There will be community space for meals and educational seminars.

The program will serve up to 14 men. The foundation intends to keep one single bedroom unoccupied to offer a short-term refuge for anyone who may come to them in crisis, documents indicated.

There is no set departure date unlike most recovery programs, but many men are anticipated to stay at the facility and work the farm

See Full Page