On Apr. 25, the doors opened to John’s Place: The John Landon Black Foundation Recovery Center. Located in downtown Manning at 16 North Brooks Street, John’s Place will serve people in the area who suffer from addiction but lack the resources to get long-term, in-patient and quality treatment.
John Landon Black, the son of Jeffrey and Stephanie Black, died on May 13, 2022 from an accidental overdose at age 25. Members of the Board of Directors went to work immediately to fill a need in the community to help others battling with addiction. The building for John’s Place was donated and many members of the community pitched in.
Amy Land, Judge for the Third Circuit Drug Court, serves as the chairman of the foundation and spoke at the ribbon cutting on Thursday. Land said there are so many people to thank that volunteered in order to make John’s Place a reality.
“Jake Buddin donated his time and talents restoring the building, Teddy Spencer of Q Signs donated the signage. Kris Gorman, the members and their families, my children Bitsy, Jamie, and Anders, who spent many hours decorating and moving furniture and setting up office equipment. And the board members and their families and all that donated their time and service,” were all thanked by Land.
Jason Montgomery, President of the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce, welcomed everyone for the ceremony. The speakers included John Landon’s sister, Elizabeth Ketchum, Sara Goldsby, Director of Department of Alcohol and other Drug Abuse Services, Natalie Scott, CEO at Clarendon Behavioral Health Services, Senator Kevin Johnson, Representative Fawn Pedalino, Clarendon County Council Chairman Dwight Stewart, Manning Mayor Julia Nelson, Clarendon County Coroner Jacqueline Blackwell, Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford and John Landon Black’s mother, Stephanie.
John’s Place offers space for recovery group meetings and resources for those battling addiction. Currently, Alcoholic Anonymous meetings are being held every Wednesday and Friday beginning at 5:30 p.m. For more information on these meeting call 803-410-0998.
