At a recent tour of Restore’s women’s reunification house in Concord, residents and staff shared how the faith-based rehabilitation and homeless outreach organization is changing their lives and those of others in Contra Costa County.
Sara Fischer, a single mother of two, said she struggled with addiction for years and described herself as a “functioning addict.” But she later admitted that was not true; it was something she told herself to cope. After the deaths of her brother and her husband, who was diagnosed with cancer, her addiction worsened. She lost her home and the custody of her children. Teary-eyed, she said Restore renewed her faith, helped her get sober and regain custody of her daughters.
In the men’s recovery home, another Restore facility in Concord, William (Bill) Wilbur spoke with emotion about his lifelong struggle with alcohol abuse. Growing up an army brat (his father was in the U.S. Navy), he moved frequently, and alcohol became a constant in his life. He went on to serve as a radio engineer the U.S. Army, traveling and living across the world. With a failed marriage and strained relationship with his children, he relied heavily on alcohol. He eventually ended up living under a freeway before entering rehabilitation programs. With two previous attempts in recovery programs, Wilbur underscored the importance of Restore’s long-term model, expressing both regret and gratitude for his recovery.
Restore was established in 2015 to address the crisis of addiction, homelessness and incarceration in Contra Costa County and greater Bay Area populations. Many Restore clients have experienced trauma, unstable housing, addiction, unemployment and involvement with the justice system. Under Restore’s programs, recovery is not addressed by detox alone, but by focusing on clients’ goals, values and overall well-being.
Restore has various East Bay residences: a men’s rehabilitation home for homeless or court-assigned clients who want long-term recovery from addiction; mens’ aftercare homes with transitional housing for those who have completed residential recovery; and the women’s home for mothers seeking to regain custody of their children. These sites provide structured support systems built around accountability, mentorship and community.
Restore’s services also include More Than A Meal, which provides hot meals for the homeless, partnering with organizations such as Loaves and Fishes.
Lauren Duensing, chair of Restore’s board of directors, calls Restore exceptional because it provides long-term assistance. Noting that many recovery programs treat homeless people who ultimately end up back on the street, Duensing said, “What is different about Restore is that they bring these individuals into homes and they can stay there for a total of 18 months. … They become family with the people that are staying there, and then the staff take care of them, so tenderly … [They] just give them the help that they need.”
With her own family history of addiction, Duensing acknowledged the stigma surrounding addiction and homelessness; she said she once assumed people chose that lifestyle or did not want help.
Duesing’s leadership in Restore began after she encountered clients at a fundraiser, which she initially was reluctant to attend. She said, “… I hear these women on the stage saying, ‘I lost my children, and now I have them back, and I’m working and I take care of them, and I’m a functioning member of society.’ All those stories just impacted me so much. We became donors that night. And then I reached out to the organization.”
While Restore’s approach and programming are rooted in Christianity, Duensing emphasizes that the cross is often seen as a symbol of openness rather than a requirement. “The cross is just the symbol that our doors are open,” she said.
Restore recently expanded, opening a fourth recovery home next to an existing Restore residence. The neighbors approve, calling Restore clients “the best neighbors I’ve had in my life,” adding that they help care for the property and are consistently supportive.
Restore staffers—including executive director Mike Sisler, program and development director Christine Thatcher, and two Restore alumni, program manager Jacob Butler and house manager-administrative assistant Corlandus Lang — offer tours of the facilities and share resident testimonies with visitors.
Sisler noted that Restore is well on its way to meeting its 2026 strategic fundraising goal of $150,000, with $85,000 in contributions at the end of the first quarter. Yet as it continues to expand its network of recovery homes and outreach programs across Contra Costa County, community support remains essential.
For more information about Restore, including volunteer opportunities and donations, go to https://www.restore1.org/about-1 .