The Turning Point Center in Burlington is a nonresidential recovery center for people dealing with various forms of addiction.

The Main Street agency offers a range of support from daily meetings to a library that contains notebooks on employment and housing options. There is also a pool table where people can relax and play a few games with a sponsor, said The Turning Point Center Director Jenn Davis.

The center has two part-time employees and relies heavily on volunteers to keep the center open throughout the day.

“We offer a safe and supportive substance-free place for people who are actively interested in recovering from various forms of substance addiction,” said Davis.

How many people does The Turning Point Center help weekly?

We serve in Burlington between 800 to 1,000 guests a week. We’re open daily throughout the year, eight to 14 hours a day. One-third of The Turning Point Center’s guests find recovery without going into treatment. The Turning Point Center serves people who are in recovery, and that can range from two days sober or 20 years sober, but once you have the disease of addiction, you always have the disease of addiction. Addiction is a disease of the brain.

Why are volunteers so important to The Turning Point Center’s mission?

On average, we have 25 to 30 volunteers on our weekly schedule. The center operates mainly through the volunteers’ efforts so people in recovery can come in.

What is The Turning Point Center’s mission?

We’re here to support people who are in recovery. We’re not a place for people who aren’t in recovery. We try to create options for people.

How is The Turning Point Center funded?

About one-third of our budget come from a state of Vermont grant. We also have donors and at meetings, we pass a basket.