The Gateway: Building a Place for Enthusiastic Recovery
Through the building of The Gateway, we will connect individuals and families to social and community resources, serve those who wish to uncover their unique pathway to long-term sustainable recovery, and give people the opportunity to give back to others as they strengthen their own recovery.
The Gateway is a recovery community center, based off a national evidence-based model to provide additional supports and on-going recovery to those transitioning from addiction treatment back into the community or who are seeking recovery, but need someone to walk beside them as they navigate a path free from substance misuse. The disease of addiction is both chronic (lifelong) and relapsing. By keeping individuals from isolating during the early stages of recovery, we can further strengthen their skills and reduce potential relapses.


Our Purpose
Enhancing the availability of quality support services for people seeking and experiencing long-term recovery from a substance use disorder.

Our Vision
To be a safe and supportive place enhancing the lives of anyone affected by substance use disorders.
The Problem
The Impact of Substance Abuse Disorders
Substance use disorders are primary, progressive, chronic, relapsing and treatable diseases. These conditions have a dramatic impact on the lives of individuals, their families and partners, and community as a whole. With over 20 million people having substance use disorders, we can no longer choose to turn a blind eye to the impact this is having.
Despite the fact that we have treatments we know are effective, only 10 percent of people who currently need treatment are actually receiving it. Treatment is only the beginning of a long-term recovery process of brain healing and restoration. By focusing on community-based recovery services, we can increase capacity by avoiding relapse.
The Gateway Experience: Long-Term Recovery Support Solutions
The Gateway is a recovery-oriented sanctuary anchored in the heart of the community. It exists to put a face on recovery, to build recovery capital and to serve as a physical location where MDC can organize the local recovery community’s ability to care. MDC’s Gateway is not a treatment agency, it is not a 12-step club, and it is not a drop-in center, although aspects of all of these are apparent. The Gateway is the key to unlocking our community’s endless possibilities for recovery resources. The center will enhance the connection between existing treatment resources and recovery support services, while providing a centralized location to coordinate access to services based on an individuals’ specific needs. It will deliver peer-to-peer recovery support services using a combination of paid staff and volunteer force as the deliverers of these services. It will provide life skills development opportunities as well as host specific social events and other activities for participants to build a supportive community.



Restore Through The Gateway
Our Approach to Recovery Support

Restore Through The Gateway
Our Approach to Recovery Support

Naming Opportunities
Throughout The Gateway, we offer a variety of items to be sponsored. You can choose to feature your name, company’s name or in remembrance of someone on any of the following areas.
Beacon of Hope Giving Opportunities
As a beacon of hope donor, you can choose to feature your name, company’s name or in remembrance of someone on a wall prominently displayed in The Gateway.
$1,000 – $2,499
These names have been chosen from the spiritual principals of the 12-steps of recovery.
Building & Operation Costs
The Gateway is currently under construction with the expertise of Rick Cox Construction, Barber McMurry Architects and Realty Trust Group.

Gateway Donors
Giver of Integrity
Judy W. Akers
Wynne Caffey-Knight
Tina T Callicutt
Carol W Carden
Michele Carringer
Carolyn Cates
Lanis L Cope
Angela Ferrie
Greg Hewitt
Steve Hutchins
Sarah Joiner
Gary Randal King
Eric Lutton
Fiona McAnally
Lauren Rider
Madeline Rogero
Jorge Sanabria
Victor Stacy
John R Staley Jr.
Charles Swanson
Nathan Woods
Kiwanis Club of Northside Knoxville
White Realty & Service Group
Restoration Counseling Services, LLC
Advocate of Faith
Charme Allen
Janet Brewer
Marty Brown
Mark Browne
Martha L Buchanan
James J Choo
Sherry Crouse
Randal Dabbs
Rick Dover
Bill Dunn
John Gill Jr.
Tim Hill
Steve McGrew
Amy Midis
Karen Pershing
Swannee Sexton
George Wallace
William Waltman Jr.
University Physicians’ Association. Inc.
Jessup & Associates, Inc
Morris Creative Group LLC
Supporter of Courage
Steve Bailey
Barbara J Crist
Ted Flickinger
Samuel French
Greg Gheen
Jim Lapinska
Laurie MacNair
Richard Maples
East Tennessee Foundation
Home Federal Bank
The Diocese of East Tennessee
Champion of Hope
Frank Rothermel
Barber McMurry Architects
Naming Opportunities
City of Knoxville Grant, Community Training Room
Knox County Grant, Computer Lab and Community Lounge

