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Finding the Way to Serenity
WTTW Magazine
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Miracles Happen at Serenity House
Addison Press/About Addison
By Laura LaRocca

In the News

College of DuPage Quarterly
By Ken Reed

Last Request Brings Serenity

A dying man's last request of College of DuPage (COD) graduate Henry Tews so moved the printing industry executive that he steadfastly persevered for more than 20 years to open the first comprehensive treatment facility in DuPage County. It serves adult men and women suffering from the disease of substance abuse and chemical dependency.

Tew's dogged persistence eventually produced Serenity House, a follow-up treatment facility that Robert Bollendorf, coordinator of the college's Human Services area, maintains "has been a life saver for thousands."

Situated on a five-acre parcel of land in an Addison industrial park, Serenity House is an impressive collection of modern buildings as well as its very first structure, a 130-year old farmhouse. Serenity House lives up to its name amid a tranquil setting of trees, picnic tables, and well-manicured grounds.

Tews, who had been working with alcoholics and substance abusers since 1964, heard the dying man's last request and immediately began his quest to establish a treatment facility. "I saw a need when that person died," said Tews. "When you get a calling, there is a power greater than you at work, and that power is the driving force." Serenity House opened in 1986.

Tews immediately discovered that he needed an education to properly serve clients burdened with substance abuse and chemical dependency. He turned to the Human Services program at COD for help. In 1991 he was graduated with an associate's degree in Addictions Counseling and later earned a bachelors degree in Business from Northeastern Illinois University .

"What COD did was that it allowed me to appreciate what I didn't know and to realize that Serenity House at that time was so overwhelming," Tews said.

"COD gave me that insight: that was the key. COD has a very unique facility," Tews said. "They just don't teach theory without application. They have real world experience."

Tews, president and chief executive officer of Serenity House, and his staff later hired Tews' son David, also a COD graduate, who is now the director of the facility.

David was graduated in June of 1996 with a certificate in Addictions Counseling. He has a bachelor's in Theater for Northern Illinois University and a master's in Community Counseling from Northeastern. He currently is in a doctoral program at Northern Illinois .

"I was very impressed in the level of knowledge of the COD faculty," said David.

Serenity House has grown from a halfway house for four men to its current capacity of 24 beds in the men's house and 13 beds in the women's house.

It provides women's and men's group homes and independent living programs, including two facilities in Addison and Naperville, housing eight men and eight women, respectively.

There is also outpatient counseling, DUI evaluation and classes, drug and alcohol assessments, family support, and HIV testing, counseling and education.

Henry explains his burning passion for Serenity House: "I see the miracles. Living miracles. Every day. That's what gets me so excited. You see people come here and they have no hope. They have no support. But we provide a level of care - of integrity. We help them become self-sufficient."

Henry noted that his satisfaction lies "in that one person who comes here for their first meal, and in their eyes you see the hope. You see them hope that maybe they can make it. When you see that - that is magic."

A sign at the main door of Serenity House reads: "To all who come here - you are no longer alone."

Serenity House
891 S. Rohlwing Road
Addison, IL 60101
630.620.6616