HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION

In 1994, Adam Haslam, a recovering alcoholic and addict, working from a small halfway house in Doraville, Georgia, started the venture known as H.O.W.Co. Adam, on a disability income, and unable to hold regular employment, started utilizing his free time to help other addicts, new to his half-way house, in finding sources that provided food, clothing and transportation. Adam wanted to help addicts with medical, dental, psychiatric, medication and legal problems, but his resources were limited. There were times when Adam took money from his own disability check and bought a newcomer food or a weekly bus pass. He generally helped by setting up appointments for these people with food banks, clothing charities and churches that helped with halfway house fees and bus passes.

 In 1997, Adam passed away. Adam died of liver complications, which were a direct result of the years of alcohol and other drug abuse. Adam died with almost 3 years clean and sober. In spite of Adam’s death, his dream and services have lived on in the service company known as H.O.W.Co.

Adam named H.O.W.Co. for the indispensable spiritual principles of the 12 Step Fellowships: Honesty, Open-mindedness, and Willingness. These principles have become a part of the acceptance criteria for helping addicts who are seeking assistance from H.O.W.Co.

In 1999, J. Scott Maddox, the C.E.O. and Executive Director of Alpha Recovery Centers, Inc. revitalized and incorporated H.O.W.Co. Maddox decided to add Adam’s name, so that his hard work in helping others would not be forgotten.

In 2000, Maddox applied for tax-exempt status for H.O.W.Co. with the Internal Revenue Service, under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Maddox intended to seek grants and donations to better provide the services that Adam could only dream of providing.