A wing and a prayer. That's how Jerry Spruce describes the process of opening the new residential outreach center in Dublin. Located inside the old nursing home building on Sheehan Street, Spruce is hoping to have the center at full capacity by the end of the year. Spruce and his business partner, who wishes not to be named, began accepting patients July 1 and have admitted 24 people so far. Those living at the center are there on a voluntary basis, seeking help for drug and alcohol addiction. "We opened the center for the sole purpose of meeting the needs of these people," Spruce said. "The need for addiction treatment is growing faster than our industry can respond," Most of the patients that have been admitted into the center have come from the Dallas‑Fort Worth area. According to Spruce, the center is serving as a stepping stone back into the real world." A lot of these people have gone through the mandated 30 day rehab but still don't feel confident enough to be on their own," Spruce said. "For the most part, they have nowhere to go. Residents are encouraged to stay as long as it takes to prepare them to return to society productive citizens," he continued. Spruce said a resident will usually  come and go within three months, making room for another patient and continuing the cycle. "Tire unfortunate thing is that the need for the center will never end," he said. The center works with patients using the 12‑step, faith building program, offering counseling twice a day. The sessions include group and individual counseling." We try to help out patients with self development, helping Them find out who they are," Spruce said. According to Spruce, what sets this center apart from other rehab facilities is that they can provide treatment to those who might not be able to afford other centers. Residents of the center are asked to participate in a work program and pay $150 a week to help cover expenses. Currently 16 of the 24 admitted have been able to find work, mostly in Stephenville. Spruce said he would like for some of the residents to be able to work in Dublin. Most of them (center residents) are very skilled workers," he said. The money generated from admission fees as well as donations will be used for future expansion of the center. Currently two wings of the 18,000 square foot building are open and being used. Spruce said the third of five wings Will open soon." We had to open the facility with two wings. One for males and one for females," he said. The third wing will be another section for males." According to Spruce, the city has granted him a certificate of occupancy and is allowing him to renovate and bring the building up to code one wing at a time. Hopes are high that Spruce and his crew will have the entire building open and housing 80 people by the end of December." So far we have been welcomed with open arms into the community,” he said. "The response has been tremendously great." Along with himself and his business partner, Spruce said the center employs two licensed counselors, a full‑time maintenance worker and a full‑time cook." Our staff collectively has 56 years experience in the addiction treatment industry," he said. "We have agreed not to take salaries until the center is financially stable. "For Spruce, who currently works as a business consultant for a company in Stephenville, the decision to open the center was a personal one. He nearly lost his son to drugs and has seen first hand the effects it can have." Drugs are a terrible thing," he said. “They basically just destroy a person from the inside out. "Not a licensed counselor himself, Spruce says he is happy just running the business aspect of the outreach center. However, he knows and understands that the recovery rate for addicts is very low but still hopes the center can help as many people as possible. Once the center is more established, Spruce said he hopes to work closely with local law enforcement agencies to be able to house and counsel addicts from