FAIRHOPE, Ala. — When men turn to The Shoulder for help, they have often reached the lowest point in their lives. The Daphne treatment center dealing with alcohol and drug dependency now needs help itself, in order to meet its bottom line.

Assistant Director Debbie Hanson said The Yellow Cottage will soon be a way of raising operational funds for the nonprofit center. The new thrift store, located at 20751 Hwy. 181 just north of Walmart in Fairhope, is expected to help ease the financial burden when it opens Dec. 1, but donations of various things are needed.

The shop is currently accepting gently used furniture, household items, dishes, linens, jewelry, artwork and clothing in great condition on hangers. They can also use tools, display racks, cabinets and shelving, a small refrigerator and a vacuum cleaner.

Because of limited space, they ask you not bring large appliances, telephones or computer equipment. Some of those items welcome at The Shoulder itself, however, and all donations are tax-deductible. Call (251) 626-2199 for more information.

Hanson said volunteers to staff the store and pick up donations are needed as well, while others are needed for initial setup. The group needs painters to step forward, too.

“Nonprofits are struggling. People don’t have extra income, and they aren’t investing in community organizations,” Hanson said. “I’m a grant-writer. We have always been able to count on not getting any grants. They’re a crapshoot. You either get them or you don’t. There are funders we could count on before, but can’t now.”

Funding organizations are very selective in choosing where their money is distributed. Education and animal welfare are among the most favored, she said.

Hanson explained, “Right now, finding a grant for addiction is not easy. Drunks and drug addicts are not pretty, but a lot of societal problems are related to addiction. A lot of times when you work with wounded, sick people, and its an ugly disease, people don’t want to help you.”

According to Hanson, The Shoulder, which has operated in Baldwin County for 20 years, is the only residential treatment center for men in the county, and one of only two on the Alabama coast. It is also the only locally operated facility, she added.

The Shoulder operates two eight-week programs, back-to-back. The first is intense, with the men being provided three meals a day, room and board. They receive individual, group and family addiction therapy. They also join a related 12-step program.

“During the day, they work in the community. It helps pay what treatment fees they can,” Hanson said. “It gets them back into responsibility, and helps them find a place to live.”

The second eight weeks involve the study of life skills, money management, relationships, social skills and GED preparedness. The latter is accomplished through a partnership with Faulkner State Community College.

Hanson said, “We address the problems identified. They are with us for four months, and then come back for follow-up meetings. We try to keep up with them for at least a year. If they don’t come back to aftercare, we try to contact them at three- and six-month intervals.”

The Shoulder has also established a community outreach group for those affected by someone with an addiction, and she said all the programs have consistently worked well.

It is hoped The Yellow Cottage will be as successful.

“We needed a new source of funding that’s a little more reliable and a little more stable,” Hanson said. “With the economy going down, people are starting to do what I’ve always done — looking at resale shops. It’s a terrific source of tremendous funding.”

Hanson said she has already visited many yard sales seeking donations and many folks, including Shoulder employees, have brought donations. Ecumenical Ministries Inc., Christ the King Catholic School and other groups have helped by providing items as well. She noted, Our nonprofits in the county have a good interaction.”

Hanson continued, saying, “If we can’t take it here, we can use it at The Shoulder. If we can’t use it there, we’ll pass it along to another group. We don’t waste what God gives us.”

Organizers searched for six weeks for the perfect location for the shop, Hanson said, because they were looking for affordable rent and abundant parking.

The Yellow Cottage is designed to be a little more upscale, and that combined with its location are meant to limit its competition with other thrift shops. It will be open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.; and Saturday, from 10-2.

Hanson said they will offer coffee, tea, lemonade and cookies to shoppers because they want it to become a gathering place.

For more information about The Shoulder, visit www.shoulder.org.