Unity Center Renovates Interior, Plans for Future - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

With volunteer help, a new coffee and chocolate shop will come to center Wheeling.

The Unity Center, located in a former United Methodist Church building, helps those recovering from substance addiction make their way back to productive roles in society.  As part of their recovery efforts,  the center's director has worked to renovate the inside for a coffee shop. Not only will the coffee shop provide a vocational education chance for those recovering from addition, the shop will hopefully offset their bills.

According to Unity Center Director Scott Pinter, many recovering from addiction have not worked in the labor force for so long, they need an employer that helps them relearn a work ethic.  The center also assists family members of addicts, providing them with a 12-step fellowship that brings those family members together to help them avoid the same illness that affected their loved one.

While the building could use a new, more energy-efficient heating, venting, and air conditioning system, Pinter says routine bills need offset, as well.

"Our operating costs are extremely high, right around $20,000 - $25,000 a year," Pinter explained.  "Because we own the building, we have extra insurance that we have to pay.  And our heating and cooling are very expensive these days." 

Pinter went on to say he's arranged with an old friend of his to obtain custom roasted coffee for the new coffee shop, as well as exotic chocolates.  He hopes the volunteer craftsmen will  finish work on the new coffee shop in a matter of months.