Birthed from a Story of Second Chances
What began with one man’s story of grace and recovery has grown into an organization with the most accredited recovery homes in Texas — and a mission that’s only getting started.
Nick’s Story
From the ages of 15 to 21, Nick Long was bound by addiction. In 2016, he encountered the grace of God in a way that changed everything, setting him on a path away from drugs and alcohol and toward the relationship he had been searching for all along.
After going through treatment and living in recovery housing himself, Nick sensed a clear calling: to open a recovery housing program that took both the reality of addiction and the power of Christ seriously. He spent three years bringing that vision to life. Sharpen Recovery was incorporated in 2016, and after much preparation, opened their first recovery home in 2019 — just seven months after Nick married his wife, Madison.
What began with a single house has become an organization with the largest number of accredited recovery houses in Texas.
Today, Nick is ten years sober and is raising two children alongside his wife, Madison.
From One House to Seventeen — And Just Getting Started.
2016
Sharpen Recovery Founded
2019
Launched first Recovery House
2022
Grew to
10 houses
2024
Multiplied to
17 houses
2025
First Recovery House Launch Cohort
2026 and beyond
Expansion across Greater Houston, Austin, and beyond
Centered on Christ, Open to Everyone.
Sharpen Recovery is a Christ-centered organization rooted in the belief that every person is made in the image of God. This means our faith shapes our team, our programming, and the culture within our homes. We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and beliefs who meet our intake criteria. Each person’s journey is unique, and we walk alongside them with compassion, respect, and hope.
The People Behind Sharpen
Leadership Team
Nick Long
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Shari Wood
Chief Operating Officer
Cody Thomas
Chief Program Officer
Mandi Freeman
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Board of Directors
Matthew P. Rotan
Chairman
Justin Fowles
Director
Ryan Homeyer
Director
Nick Long
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Scott Basinger, PhD
Director
Advisory Board
David Best, PhD
Leeds Trinity University
Jessica Best
Recovery Outcomes Institute, Inc.
Gene Birdwell
Founder of Camp Hope and the Birdwell Foundation
Christopher J. Daniel
Ray C. Fish Foundation
Milby D. Dunn II
Columbia Lloyds Insurance Company
Chase Fondren
Hotchkiss Insurance; Fondren Foundation
Keni Fondren
Formerly with JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Hugh Guill
Fajita Pete’s; Guill Family Foundation
Leila Mischer
Mischer Family Foundation
Fred Robertson
Criterion Investment Management; Houston Trust
Rod Scarborough
Rod Scarborough Properties; Medallion Foundation
Houston Recovery Residence Network
The Houston Recovery Residence Network (HRRN) is an initiative of Sharpen Recovery designed to strengthen the recovery housing industry across Greater Houston by equipping leaders, promoting top standards of care, and cultivating a collaborative, supportive community of operators.
Some of our Partners
Justin’s Story
“I’m so grateful that God gave me a second chance. When I was in my addiction, He was right beside me the whole time.”
Justin
Join the Mission
Take the next step today. Apply now — or call us if you have questions or you’re helping someone you love.