The Sanctuary at Impact Life Farm is located in Seaford, Delaware and is an agriculturally based program with permanent recovery housing, workforce development (agriculturally-based entrepreneurship as well as entrepreneurship in other fields), case management, spiritual support, therapeutic arts, and other forms of recovery support. It is a safe place for women to come post-inpatient treatment or post-incarceration/supervision. The Sanctuary is a place where those in a vulnerable post-treatment state can solidify their recovery, learn new life skills and get the help they need to re-enter life confidently, with a plan, a community, and life skills to assist them. At the Sanctuary, our aim is to help participants move forward to full recovery, a life of sobriety, a feeling of community, and self-reliance.
Impact Life was founded in 2020 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to building a strong foundation for Substance Use Disorder (SUD) recovery. Its founder and CEO is a person in long-term recovery with 26 years of behavioral health experience. The goal in starting the organization was “to creatively address the gaps in the system.”
For people new to recovery, especially those who are involved in the justice system, safe housing and supportive services are often the missing pieces. Impact Life operates recovery residences across Delaware in partnership with atTAck addiction, and The Sanctuary extends that work onto the land. Here, women in a vulnerable post-treatment stage can solidify their recovery, build life skills, and re-enter their communities with a plan and a support system behind them.
The Farm
The Sanctuary sits on 17 acres used for farming, gardening, fishing and aquaponics, and animal-assisted therapy. The farm gives Impact Life room to grow its wraparound services and add therapeutic programming such as culinary arts and adventure recovery.
Participants also have access to case management, spiritual support, therapeutic arts, parenting classes, and group meetings. Impact Life partners with other nonprofits to offer life skills, financial literacy, legal help, and arts programming. Workforce development includes agriculture-based entrepreneurship as well as training in other fields.
The staff have walked the recovery path themselves and remain active in the recovery community. They are trained and credentialed to meet National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) standards. Their aim is to help each woman leave with the confidence to find her own ongoing support and stay healthy.
Supporting Mothers and Children
The Sanctuary’s Pregnant and Parenting Women Program, also called Mommy and Me, lets mothers focus on recovery while staying close to their children. The program pairs therapeutic support with parenting skills, recognizing that a mother’s recovery and her role as a parent are deeply connected.
Children have their own Children’s Care Coordinator so their needs are met, too. Impact Life’s in-house parenting program also meets Delaware Division of Family Services (DFS) requirements for parenting skills classes.
Meet the Animals
The Sanctuary is home to a lively herd that residents help care for every day. Many of the animals are on their own journey of building trust and healthy relationships.
- Goats: Mouse and Ophelia, a bonded pair of Nigerian Dwarfs, plus Stella, Harry, and Lloyd, three myotonic (“fainting”) goats
- Pigs: Spuds, Rudy, Pennelope, and Anny, four mini potbelly siblings who love belly rubs and sunbathing
- Cows: Jack and Diane, two mini panda cattle who get treats through the farm’s “cow drive-thru”
- Alpacas: Ellie, Cherry Bomb, and Honey, three gentle Huacaya “sisters”
- Donkey: Prince, a miniature donkey who has bonded closely with the alpacas
- Birds: a flock of chickens led by Glenn, a Delaware Blue Hen rooster, and ducks led by Gus
The chickens provide fresh eggs every day, a relationship residents take pride in. You can even check in on the animals through the farm’s live stream.
Learn more
Learn more about The Sanctuary on Impact Life’s website, and follow their work on Facebook and Instagram.