By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

The former Dorothy’s Coffee and Tea Room across 3rd St. from the Historic Elgin Hotel will take on a new life this month as a place women can go for Christian “discipleship” and a new start in life.

Work to convert the one-time residence turned coffee shop back into a residence is in progress.

Chad Eskew, division director for Denton Freedom House, based in Denton, Texas, said Denton Freedom House Marion would be operational by October.

Its nondenominational program is designed to house women for six months, immerse them in Christian faith, and teach them what they need to begin anew.

The house also will have a food pantry.

As many as 10 women will be accepted at a time. They will live in the building and volunteer serving coffee, pies, milkshakes, and hand-scooped ice cream to visitors.

“We present the gospel to every woman who comes in,” Eskew said. “It’s really walking through the basics. The curriculum is new life in Christ.”

Eskew said the program would accept women from all walks of life, no matter why they need a new start. It can be used to reintegrate into sober living after drug treatment. There will be no cost to women who live there.

While the program will not accept children or men, Eskew said a similar men’s facility at a different location could come later.

House parents Chase and Kaelyne Reed already have moved in.

Bunks for residents have been ordered.

An introductory gala will be 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 11 at Marion Community Center. Members of the public will be invited to tour the facility and become partners.

Eskew is accepting reservations for the gala at (940) 231-5908.

Applications for the program can be made after the gala.

Denton Freedom House opened in Denton in 2004 and has expanded to both women’s and men’s programs.

Women will share living quarters. No relationships are allowed while women are in the program, though restoration of marriage is encouraged.

For the first 30 days, women are not allowed any outside contact with friends, family, or mentors. After the first 30 days, contact is limited to family and approved mentors.

No vitamins, dietary supplements, health aids or devices, or psychiatric medications are allowed while women are at Freedom House. This includes medications for anxiety or depression and opiates, narcotics, or methadone. Such medication must be out of the woman’s system at least a week before she enters Freedom House.

Medications for such conditions as high blood pressure, diabetes, and the like are permitted.

Eskew said the program operates on a tight daily schedule with nearly all aspects of daily life fully scripted. Much of each day is spent in Christian studies.