GALT, CA (MPG) - Having opened its recovery residence in Galt, St. Martin Foundation held a fundraiser to support its goal of providing housing and recovery services to people working to stay sober and reintegrate into society.

The spaghetti dinner at Littleton Community Center on March 23 featured bingo games, a raffle and a door prize.

Founder Mark Jackson, who owns Next Generation Barbershop in Galt, said the new facility will provide a transitional environment for people coming out of rehab. Besides housing, residents will also receive assistance with tasks such as resume writing, job searches and finding permanent housing.

Noting that there is a stigma to transitional housing, Jackson said he aims for the facility to be “the quiet house on the block.”

“I want to break that stigma,” Jackson told the Herald. “I’ve heard it said that they (transitional housing residents) are drug and alcohol offenders. Most of these guys haven’t offended or really done anything wrong. Just, you know, they had a problem drinking or (using) drugs. Obviously, it’s a sober-living environment, so you have to be sober, and you have to be clean, to live at our residence.”

House Manager Scott Williams was looking forward to starting work.

Williams said he would ensure that residents work to maintain the house as well as hold weekly meetings for residents to share where they are in their recovery journeys.

Williams himself has been in recovery for two years. He said he was at a low point in his life when he met Jackson at a recovery meeting. The two became friends, but Williams said they also “share in a common problem, and we’re seeking a common solution.”

Just as Jackson served as a connection for Williams, Williams hoped to help the St. Martin residents.

“The idea of recovery is, whatever you gain out of it, you then hope to give. It’s a very two-way street,” Williams said, adding later, “It’s become my life’s aim, my vocation, to readily give the help and support that was so freely given to me. So I’m just very blessed and excited for the opportunity.”

Jackson anticipated being able to accept residents soon and put his goals for St. Martin Foundation into practice.

“The program side of it is where you get to actually put your business plan into play and you get to start helping people,” Jackson said. “So I’m very excited, very excited to see how things go. I’m ready to start helping people.”

Jackson said those interested in St. Martin Foundation’s services can visit him at Next Generation Barbershop (814 E. C St.) or call him at 916-494-8282.