Providing a Home - John P. Thiem, ‘69

Tennessee Wesleyan alumnus, John P. Thiem, Sr. (’69) majored in history and political science with a minor in secondary education. Thiem went on to teach high school history for 33 years in the Charles County school system in southern Maryland. He now owns John P. Thiem Construction Company, which specializes in small home improvements. PROVIDING A Home

In 2011, Thiem attended a meeting in La Plata, Maryland concerning the welfare of men, fathers, brothers and sons who suffer from alcoholism. He was convinced that there was a need in his community for a men’s recovery home. He had witnessed men who successfully completed rehab only to fall back into the same environment.

After tragically losing his two children due to substance abuse, he felt a void. “I knew that my faith in God would somehow fill that void,” he said. In 2012, he visited The Men’s Home in Alexandria, Virginia and “was quite impressed with their entire method of recovery.”

The meeting in La Plata was the beginning of the journey to the construction of his own recovery home, The J.P. Home, in southern Maryland.

“It is very important to note,” Thiem stated, “that this has been a team effort. Every board member has provided their talents to assure a more stable operation.” The board rented the first home from 2014-2018 and after the support and help of many fundraisers and charitable donors, they were able to purchase a larger, more durable home.

A day in the J.P. Home is similar to normal everyday activities. Thiem made sure to emphasize the concept of “home” vs. “house.” The home can hold up to seven men. During the week, residents wake up, go to work and return to a meal that is cooked by one of the residents who chose to cook dinner off the chores list. The residents are required to attend AA or NA meetings in the surrounding area in the evenings. Saturdays are catch up days while Sundays are generally left open for fellowship and visitation for the residents. There is always a Senior Resident, General Manager or an AA Sponsor present at any given time throughout the day.

“The concept of one alcoholic talking to another alcoholic has been a life-saver for many men in recovery,” said Thiem of the requirement for residents to have a sponsor two weeks after entry into the Home. “We have had recovering fathers who have volunteered their time to counsel residents who have struggled with issues involved with alcoholic family life.”

The waiting list shows that there is obvious success in the method and implementation in the Washington metro area.

“By remaining self-supporting, we have been able to serve a wide variety of rehabs and local individual needs,” Thiem explained.

One story he recalled was of a man from a Maryland prison who was referred by a friend. “We were quite reluctant to accept him. He came to us with a plastic bag, a huge muscular body and a very bad attitude! Eventually he became the Senior Resident and remained with us for a year. He changed his whole life around and is now a successful salesman for a large remodeling company,” John said. Considering their infancy, the J.P. Home has already earned a very well-guarded reputation in their community.

“God has his handprints all over this home.”

To learn more about the J.P. Home visit https://www.jphome-md.org

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