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Structured recovery housing
The Beacon Sherman Hill is a shared, structured recovery home in Des Moines for women rebuilding after homelessness, addiction, violence, or incarceration. She brings the courage. We walk alongside her with a plan, a team, and a house full of women doing the same work.
First NARR-certified recovery residence in Iowa
34
Beds in a shared, historic home at 1717 Woodland Ave.
6–24
Months, at her pace. Six months is the minimum to graduate.
$105
A weekly program fee, not rent. No income yet is okay.
30 days
Sober to apply (28 days straight from Medicaid-funded treatment).
Daily life
Sherman Hill is peer-supported and non-clinical. Each woman keeps her own counselor, doctor, and providers, and builds a steady weekly rhythm with her Case Manager.
Up to four women share a room and its bathroom. The kitchen and common spaces belong to everyone.
Case management, recovery or wellness meetings on any pathway, a house meeting, and shared chores every week.
She keeps her own providers. Medication for addiction treatment is welcome here.
A drug screen at move-in and random testing after. Curfew starts at 5 p.m. and loosens as she moves through the phases.
The six phases
Every woman moves through six phases built on the 8 Dimensions of Wellness. Phase 1 lasts five weeks or until she has legal income. After that, she moves forward when she is ready. Relapse does not automatically end a stay: a woman who stays engaged keeps going, and her sobriety clock resets.
Curfew by phase
Phase 1: 5 p.m. · Phase 2: 7 p.m. · Phases 3–5: 8 p.m. · Phase 6: 9 p.m.
1
Intake, safety and recovery plans, ID documents, insurance, a primary care provider.
2
32 hours a week of work or verified income, budgeting, and digital literacy.
3
Digital literacy completed, $100 saved, and a women's health provider.
4
Three meetings a week, therapy, classes or job training, and $200 saved.
5
$400 saved and a housing plan for life after the program.
6
A graduation plan, $600 saved, and permanent housing secured.
How we live together
The women of Sherman Hill hold each other to five simple values. They are posted on the wall and practiced every day.
What graduation means
• Sobriety
• A bank account and monthly financial coaching
• Monthly recovery or wellness meetings
• Program fees paid on time
• Legal income
• All 8 Dimensions of Wellness, every month
• Health insurance, primary care, and a women's health provider
• $600 saved
• Permanent housing
After graduation, the Graduate Program offers up to three years of continued support.
After Sherman Hill
Permanent, affordable studio apartments in recovery, with her own lease and a Case Manager on site. Six months of continuous sobriety to apply.
Explore the Village →For mothers
Residents in Phase 5 or above who have, or are gaining, custody of their children can live off-site with them while keeping their phase, Case Manager, and graduation goals.
How the program works →Equal Housing Opportunity. Adult women and those who identify as female. Questions? (515) 244-4713 · admin@thebeacondm.org · 1717 Woodland Ave., Des Moines
