Monte Henrie runs a sober living house in west Casper.
Many of his residents come straight from prison or treatment centers. Henrie, who himself has struggled with addiction, helps people stay sober, get jobs and find permanent housing. His house is one of just a few sober living homes in Natrona County.
While sober living homes don’t provide formal treatment, and are for the most part unregulated, for many people recovering from addiction they provide an ideal balance of freedom and peer support.
The Star-Tribune published a story last spring exploring the obstacles people face finding stable housing after incarceration.
But one story can’t fully capture what the experience is like.
So photographer Lauren Miller asked Henrie and some of his residents if they’d be interested in sharing their stories. She provided them with disposable cameras and notebooks to document their day-to-day lives, and reflect on their struggles, victories and what keeps them going.
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Here’s what it’s really like at Monte’s, through the eyes of the residents.
Monte Henrie talks about the moment he decided to change his life and start a sober living house in Casper.
By: Monte Henrie
Monte’s House started Dec. 31, 2012. I had the desire and patience to open up my doors and allow anyone, mostly men, to have a stepping stone in a recovery-based sober living environment. I truly believe it is a necessity to one’s sobriety. I love to work with and be a part of one of my guys’ new journey in a sober path, finding a job, achieving long-term sobriety with or without the judicial system. There have been more than 200 souls that have come through my front door. I have many that I still have close contact with, even from 10 years ago. I love to hear the success stories and am privileged Monte’s House was their stepping stone. I believe if one is suffering from any addiction that has ruined one’s life and is willing to make a change I provide structure and hope one is seeking to live with winners at Monte’s house.
My job is primarily to keep a clean, safe, organized home, help with rent and financial needs, be a mentor and always have my door open to conversation. Working with the tenants helps myself get out of self and makes my life brighter. I let my tenants know that everything happens for a reason and they are here at my house for the purpose of a new start and the stars and sun lined up and the right moment with the Gods help to get you here one day that a time.
Eighteen years ago I was homeless living at the Mission here in Casper, struggling in and out of jail with addiction problems, placed in a drug court program which actually saved my life! I remember sitting outside the Mission smoking a cig in a snowstorm in late February thinking I was going to run and leave the state to start over someplace? “I can’t live like this. No longer living at a shelter, no using, and being told what to do by drug court probation on a daily basis.” My mind was set on leaving. I remember tears falling down my face. I was scared. I was lonely. I was lost. I looked up at the night, winter sky and the snow stopped falling. The sky was brightly open and full of stars. I said out loud, “God please help me. Give me a purpose in life. I want to be a good person and stop hurting myself and others.” A warm feeling went through me. I felt solitude. I felt I wasn’t alone. I found my higher power. I found strength. I told my higher power at that moment I would help and change my life by helping others that were struggling like myself. I remember walking back into the Mission that night as a new man and I haven’t looked back since.
It’s very important to work with others and to support and give hope while in the Mission or out of prison or treatment centers. I’m blessed with the success I have been able to provide to the community and God willing I’ll continue another 10 years.
Monte Henrie
The idea to open a sober living house came to Monte Henrie on a snowy night about 18 years ago. It was a moment of “divine intervention,” he said. At the time, he was staying at the Wyoming Rescue Mission, a Casper homeless shelter. Today, he’s assisted more than 200 men and counting — many of whom come straight from correctional facilities and treatment centers.
Monte Henrie
Taffy lays under the Christmas tree at Monte’s house this past winter. Taffy adopted resident Brandt Cross as her caretaker and sleeps in the same bed with him every night.
Monte Henrie
A badge Monte Henrie wore at an Alcoholics Anonymous he attended back in 2008. Henrie, who runs a sober living house in west Casper, is still an Alcoholics Anonymous devotee today. He sponsors many of his residents in the program.
Monte Henrie
Monte Henrie, who runs a sober living house in Casper, got this sign at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. He keeps it in his backyard as a reminder about what he strives to provide his residents. One of the main benefits of a sober living houses is mutual accountability — the goal is to provide a stable environment where residents encourage one another to stay clean.
Monte Henrie
Monte Henire makes chicken wings for the residents of his home. Residents usually feed themselves, but occasionally they’ll share meals together.
Monte
Monte’s House can accommodate up to eight residents. Over its 10-year tenure, over 200 men have stayed at Monte’s.
Monte Henrie
On slow days, the residents of Monte Henrie’s sober living house will gather in the living room to watch TV together or talk about their days. While sober living homes don’t provide formal treatment and generally aren’t regulated, supporters of the model say that for many people recovering from addiction it strikes an ideal balance of independence and mutual accountability.
Monte Henrie
In addition to running a sober living home, Monte Henrie is a full-time chef and will often bring back extra food for his residents.
Monte Henrie
Monte Henrie, owner of a Casper sober living house, photographed a gaggle of turkeys that often stops by his property. Henrie’s house is friendly to animals. It’s home to two cats — Coco and Taffy — and is regularly visited by another who lives nearby. One time Brandt Cross, a current resident, brought home a chicken he found in the parking lot of a nearby Walmart parking lot.
Monte Henrie
A blanket with the serenity prayer, popularized by the Alcoholics Anonymous program, hangs in Monte Henrie’s house. Henrie said belief in a higher power helps him stay sober, but he doesn’t require any of his residents to be religious.
Monte Henrie
One book on Monte Henrie’s coffee table is titled “12 Stupid Things That Mess Up Recovery.”
“I’m choosing me and my kids this time.”
“I didn’t want to write about the sh***y things that I have done to people or the things I have done to get high because it will be the same as any other addicts’ story. But the outcome of every addict’s story is sadly not the same. Most of us will overdoes or commit suicide. If you are an addict like me you do not have many options. I chose me and my kids this time.”
Justyn Obert poses in Monte Henrie’s kitchen.
“My room is my getaway.”
Brandt Cross talks about how important positivity and helping others is to his daily life and recovery.
Each morning Brandt Cross writes a quote to himself to carry him through his day with positivity.
“My dream is to become a man I can be proud of and one that is always there to help others.”
Brandt
Brandt Cross poses with his son Bryar. Brandt spent four years in prison for drug possession and breaking and entering. Now, the resident of Monte Henrie’s sober living house is on a mission to be a source of support to others.
Brandt
The cross Brandt wears everyday is seen here.
Brandt
Brandt Cross has found a lot of solace, support and healing in the gym throughout his recovery. He goes nearly every day, and encourages other residents of Monte Henrie’s house to join him. Cross openly shares his story fellow gym-goers and has made many friends there.
Brandt
Brandt Cross spent four years in prison for drug possession and breaking and entering. Now, the resident of Monte Henrie’s sober living house is on a mission to be a source of support to others. “My dream is to become a man I can be proud of and one that is always there to help others,” he wrote. “I like to remind myself that it only takes one act of kindness to change the outcome of someone else’s life.”
Brandt uses various social media platforms to put out positive energy and messages.
Brandt
Brandt and Monte pose in their matching gym sweatshirts.
Brandt
An image Brandt made on his phone admiring the beauty of Casper.
