RI PROJECT OFFERS HOPE TO ADDICTED WOMEN

Ametra Carrol used to walk the streets of Rock Island, day and night,
looking for her next hit of crack cocaine.

Those "10 years of hell" included some drug rehabilitation, and a
relapse, with the final straw coming exactly seven years ago this
month -- when she nearly died in a hospital bed, the 53-year-old Rock
Island woman said Wednesday.

She prayed to God that if he let her live, she never would touch
drugs again and would turn herself into a community leader.

That is exactly what she did.

Several Rock Island leaders now credit Carrol's determination to help
other addicted women with spurring the Douglas Park Place project,
which was celebrated Wednesday with a groundbreaking ceremony at 720 9th St.

The $2 million facility will serve women struggling with drug and
alcohol addictions, and give them a place to live -- alongside their
children -- as they recover.

"My emphasis was this: A family is not solid if a mother is not there
to provide," said Alderman Terry Brooks, who helped Carrol approach
city officials with the concept about three years ago.

"This building is very special to me because I know quite a few young
mothers who lost their children and want them back," he said. "Even
if we help eight to 10 mothers a year, we will turn this community around."

Construction of the eight-unit rental housing development is expected
to be complete by October 2007.

But Brian Hollenback of the Rock Island Economic Growth Corporation
said the project almost did not happen until a $1.76 million grant
from the Illinois Housing Development Authority arrived to fund a
majority of the work.

That amount is much higher than the state Housing Trust Fund
typically awards to individual projects, Jessica Hoff of the
authority said, adding that most qualifying projects receive $750,000
to $1 million from the fund.

At one point, Hollenback thought the money would not come through, he said.

Other funding sources include $115,000 from the city, along with
$50,000 from the Doris and Victor Day Foundation and tax credits
producing about $70,000 in cash equity from the National City Bank
Community Development Corporation. The Illinois Department of
Commerce and Economic Opportunity also awarded a $16,000 energy grant
for the project.

Blackhawk State Bank donated the site, which the Angel's Salsa
building formerly occupied.

"This should stand as a monument to the residents who are going to be
here," Hollenback said, adding that the project demonstrates
persistence and determination to overcome adversity -- just like what
the residents will face in their recovery.

Mayor Mark Schwiebert said the project also will serve as a catalyst
for revitalizing Rock Island's Old Chicago neighborhood, where the
city plans to tear down some deteriorating homes and provide new
housing, greenspace and other economic development opportunities.

He said the intersection of 7th Avenue and 9th Street, where Douglas
Park Place will go, is especially important in that process.

Two-bedroom units will rent for $300 per month while three-bedroom
units rent for $400 per month.

"We are very proud and pleased to be a part of this," said Susan
Anderson of the Rock Island Housing Authority, which will manage the
property under its Community Housing Solutions arm.

Joan Hartman of Trinity Medical Center's Robert Young Center said an
on-site recovery home manager and a program for the women and their
children will be provided.

Such housing definitely is needed in the Quad-Cities, said
38-year-old Eva McClure of East Moline, who said she is undergoing
counseling to recover from an addiction to marijuana.

"I think it's a blessing," added Jamuel Carrol Bey, Ametra Carrol's
nephew, who moved to the Old Chicago neighborhood two weeks ago. "I
think it's much-needed."