Email from John N. dated 03/12/08

Unity House is a great place for a guy to get a hand up not a hand out. It is not for guys who are looking to take advantage of the system. Those types will be exposed during the evaluation process and will be weeded out. This type of environment is for guys that want to stay sober but want to work as well. It is a safe environment where there are men who are staying clean and sober and working to pay their own way.  Unity House guys will help the newcomer get settled and show them how to get food stamps and health care needs met and how the bus system works. They will also show the newcomer where the AA and NA meetings are and how to get there and how to find a sponsor. Working the program is an integral part of ones stay at Unity House but it has to be done individually to be of any help to the resident. I can personally tell you from experience of living at Unity House 2 that if a guy is just looking for a flop house he will not like Unity Houses. If he is looking for accountability and responsibility and is looking for help in staying clean and sober he will make it at Unity House.

Each man must pay $325.00 monthly dues and a $150.00 damage deposit. Sometimes depending on the individual and his sincerity we will give a person 30 days to find a job and begin to pay his dues. However Unity House loses more than it wins in this endeavor and the bills still have to be paid however somehow God provides for all of our needs. So it is best if the resident has his dues and deposit up front but if not Unity House may decide to work with him. This is done on a case by case basis.

Your Brother in Christ-

John N.

Letter from Gary A. dated 12/20/07

I just wan to thank you for everything you've done. I was living a life not worth living before I came to Unity House. Since you gave me the opportunity to work on the real problem (me) in a sober environment I've learned to enjoy life again. Something I thought I could never do, and I couldn't have done it without you or Unity House. I know there could never be a monetary value put on something like saving someone's life so it is my duty to be of service to others like you have done for me. If you ever feel down I hope you always remember how you are my hero and most trusted friend. I wish you a Merry Christmas and many Happy New Years to come.

Webster's definition of a hero is: A legendary figure often of divine descent endowed with great strength or ability or a man admired for his achievements and qualities.

Loving Friend,

Gary A.

Letter from Philip dated 8/1/07   

Unity House Brothers, 

I entered Unity House #4 at 14th and Perry on October 21, 2007. Dennis, Fred, and J.C. interviewed another individual and myself
at the same  time; we were both accepted. I was surprised as I was under the  impression there was only one opening. As it 
turned out there were 2  openings. I had just completed 5 months of Substance Abuse Treatment at  the Salvation Army ARC. I 
needed a safe place to stay and I was starting a new job at Oscar Mayer the 24th of October. Dennis, in good faith, welcomed me
into the Unity House without deposit or dues. I needed the fellowship and structure to help me make the transition into the 
real  world. I remember one of the AA readings Dennis emphasizes; Acceptance. That is a classic as are many of the other
passages Unity House uses. I was once again blessed to be able to be a part of this wonderful organization. I tried to take it 
"One day at a time" and to stay several  months. As it turned out I was there about 9 weeks. I felt as though it  was time for
me to move on. Today I have my own apartment and live 9  blocks from work; another blessing. Because of God in my life and 
working through others; being a part of this fellowship has helped to put me where I am today. I had a great time at the house
and I learned  much. The structure and disciplined atmosphere are the key to it's  success. Because of my being successful at
Unity House I was welcomed  back by Dennis to visit. Also, Fred, the House Manager, said "Philip, you can come back anytime." 
I said, "How about 4:00 AM when I get off  work?" He reiterated, "Philip, anytime." There it is. I continue to go  there in my 
free time. I fully recommend Unity House to anyone if they  have the opportunity. Dennis, Fred, and J.C. are gifted and 
talented in  their specific roles. Not to mention the LOVE and SUPPORT that is given by the rest of the house. I need them and 
they need me. That is how my  God works. It's a "We" thing, not an "I" thing. Thank you, Dennis Haut  and Unity House Staff and
members.  

Brother In Christ, 

Philip    P.S. I have the "Acceptance" prayer on my kitchen counter.         




Letter from Gary R. dated: 5/28/07  

Dear Dennis and Unity House Brothers, 

It has always been easier for me to express myself on paper the things I needed to say that would otherwise be awkward saying
to someone face to face. Because of this, I am writing this letter to you.  That Sunday at the motel I had no idea what was to
become of me. I was in a strange city with no money, no place to go, very hung over, and scared to death. All of the plans
XXXXXX and I had made had fallen apart and I realized I could not live with this person, yet I could not survive without XXXXXX.
Then, no less than a miracle occurs and you come along and were willing to take me, sight unseen, into Unity House. I had only
$100.00 to offer which I had to borrow from a friend. Out of the goodness of your heart you trusted me to be responsible and do 
the right thing when I was financially able. You helped me to open a bank account when I didn't have money to make an initial 
deposit. You have loaned me money for food and even taken me to the supermarket to get it. I have been able to come to you for 
advice and a hug and was always well received with warmth and a kind word. For all of these things and the acceptance and love 
that came with them I will always be grateful to you. You are a good and decent man and my life had been greatly enriched simply
by knowing you and being at Unity House. You make me want to be sober and do the right thing which helps to increase my 
self-esteem and hopefully makes me a better person. Thank you for having faith in me and giving me a chance.   

Love,

Gary R.   

Letter from anonymous dated June 1, 2008

I entered the Unity House at 14th and Perry (Unity House #4) on October 21, 2007. Dennis, Fred, and J.C. interviewed another individual and me at the same time and we were both accepted. I was under the assumption there was only 1 opening. As it turned out there were 2. I had just went through 5 months of Substance Abuse Treatment at the Salvation Army A.R.C. I needed a place to stay plus I was starting a new job at Oscar Meyer the 24th of October. Dennis, in good Faith, welcomed me into the home without deposit or dues. I needed the fellowship and structure to help me make the transition into the real world. I remember one of the AA readings Dennis emphasizes; Acceptance. That is a classic as are many of the other readings. I was Blessed to be able to be a part of this wonderful organization. I tried to take one day at a time and to stay focused on recovery. I could not have done this without Unity House. Thank you and may God Bless Unity House.

Sincerely,

Anonymous

Letter from Rodney Kohen dated Jan 18, 2011

My name is Rodney Kohn

I arrived at Unity house Jan. 18, 2011.

I came out of a 21 day inpatient treatment center ( I was scared to leave the safety of the  treatment center and be on my own). I was sure I would drink.

Was suggested to me by counselor to go to a ¾ house .  Unity House was strongly suggested by staff. I made contact with Unity House and was accepted into Unity House.

As time went on in Unity House I didn’t know what I really needed out of a ¾  Way House.  Today I know I needed structured environment, and still do.  The rules are just what I needed to focus on my recovery. Three meetings a week etc. 9-25-2011 I will have nine months of continuous sobriety. I could not have done it without God, Unity House and AA.

           Truly it works if you work it. My life is so much better today!

Thank you Unity House
God Bless

Rodney Kohn

Letter from Anonymous dated February 09, 2012

Unity House of Davenport pulled me back from the brink of destruction. I had given up on life and trying to do anything other than drink myself to death. Circumstances led me to Country Oaks and the S.T.A..R.T. Program that I went through after being there a few times in the detox unit only to return to heavy drinking again. Everything I learned in the classes I attended I pretty much knew and would make me pause for a few minutes and think; what are you doing Mark?

The phenomena of craving was still there. As I was coming close to completing   the course, I was afforded the opportunity to interview Mr. Dennis Haut; he told me about Unity House of Davenport and explained it as a recovery club. He further described membership requirements. There were so many things going through my mind in anticipation of leaving Country Oaks that kept me sober up until that point. I was starting to feel better but I knew myself well enough to know that if I left Country Oaks with nothing to keep me accountable I would return to drink. A few days later Mr. Haut came out to pick me up and deliver me to Unity House #1 where I met with the current house manager and went through a processing where I initialed each of the rules read to me by the house manager. Those rules provided me the firm ground that I stand on today.

The next year was a roller coaster ride of emotions and personalities as guys came and went after both shorter and longer periods. The House Manager of House #1 moved on leaving no manager and I was afforded the opportunity to serve as Temporary Manager. Mr. Haut trusted me and we became friends. It gave me a sense of pride as well as direction, a reason to live again. Because of the house rules requiring 3 weekly meetings, finding a home group and developing friendships with so many good people, I was transforming through AA into a person recovered from alcoholism.

I continued to attend church, bible studies and developed good relationships there as well. People actually liked me.

After listening to so many people about the problem of alcoholism I decided to try recovery myself. I got a Sponsor with whom I met regularly and discussed the principles of the Program. I believe that God put Unity House in front of me because I know He did not want me passed out drunk another day.

The structure that Unity House provided kept me accountable and because I simply followed the rules and listened to what was being suggested by so many people my thought process changed and the craving left me.  My Sponsor told me I needed 5 things to stay sober:  meeting attendance, having a Sponsor, studying the Big Book, working the steps and developing a relationship with God.

Today I remain sober and have moved on from Unity House. I am married to a wonderful, Godly woman I met through church. Mr. Haut was my best man at the wedding. I am certain that if it was not for the structure I had for that year, developing relationships with other sober people and church I would still be drinking, institutionalized or dead.

Thank you Unity House for holding me up until I could stand on my own.

Anonymous

Letter from Steve M dated February 09, 2012

I can’t say enough good things about Unity House of Davenport and its members. As soon as I learned I had no where to turn for a place to stay while I was in alcohol rehab, I was referred to Dennis Haut and Unity House. I was somewhat skeptical about applying to a sober living ¾ house at first because for me it was uncharted territory. Having been married for 30 years, living with my wife was what I was accustomed to. I really had no desire to be housed with other people on their journey in recovery (I was more worried about me). In retrospect I was happy that I was.

Unity House afforded me an opportunity to focus in an environment of genuine compassion and empathy that I would not have received at my own home. I was able to interact with other members in a true community of fellowship and concern for one another’s’ well being. Sure, each and every person had their own individual needs and issues, and yet everyone was able to accommodate the house’s overall success by adhering to a set of principles grounded in helping one another and the house as a whole…in Unity.

Of the greatest importance to me was the sense of well being and security I enjoyed  while living in a safe, comfortable environment amongst others quite a bit like me as it turns out.  Today I feel much more comfortable in my life in no small part due to my stay here and would really seek out Dennis and the other members anytime life just seems to want to get the best of me. I believe that in my mind,…and more importantly … in my heart of hearts.

Sincerely…. Thanks for the leg up!

Steve