Hinsdale Group Apologizes For Depiction Of Sober Living House

HINSDALE, IL — The head of Hinsdale's Community House apologized last week for its "negative depiction" of a group that helps those recovering from addictions. Dan Janowick, Community House's executive director, was referring to the way that the group's recent musical portrayed Trinity Sober Living, which provides housing for men with addictions.

On Friday, Janowick sent an email to Michael Owens, Trinity's executive director, in reaction to Owens' criticism of the play, which was performed four times in late February and early March.

In an email to Patch, Owens said Janowick's email was "a very thoughtful response and I responded to him with those sentiments." Last month, Owens, who had not seen the play, said several people informed him that a woman who appeared to be drunk and an alcoholic represented Trinity during the performances. He said the play essentially mocked the men at Trinity who have chosen to get healthy.

Janowick said the satire can be an exaggerated perspective of the community, blowing local issues out of proportion and playing on the "perceived personas" of local politicians and groups.

"I’ll admit that I don’t believe the intention of the cast/writers was to insult those recovering from addiction or the work being done at Trinity," Janowick said. "I’ll also admit that the representation of the organization surely wasn’t in a positive light that reflects the dedication and work of your team to make a positive impact on the lives of others."

Janowick said Community House's board and staff have started a conversation about ensuring all of its events, including Community Revue, tie back to the organization's mission of "bringing people together to form unique communities of people trying to become the best version of themselves."

Janowick noted Community House's functions: helping people through mental health counseling, providing education and child care programs to a low-income housing complex in unincorporated DuPage County, and helping people stay physically and emotionally strong through its recreation, arts and educational programs. The group, he said, has asked itself whether the type of satire in the Community Revue fits its mission.

"I am sorry for the negative depiction of the recovery work you provide," Janowick said. "I will share this feedback with our staff leadership and board as we continue discussing our mission focused work in the community."

In an email to Community House last month, Owens, a recovering alcoholic, said he and others at Trinity enjoy self-deprecating humor, adding that laughter is an important part of recovery. He also called Community House "a wonderful group."

"However, the parody of our sober house and its residents is wrong and disgusting. These adult men live at Trinity Sober Living because they choose to be there to get healthy," Owens said. "They live at the sober house because their life and their families have been destroyed in many cases."

Last August, Trinity opened in a large house at 111 N. Grant St. The village government has tried to put it out of business, saying it violated the single-family zoning rule requiring that no more than three unrelated people can live in a house. It also alleged Trinity was a commercial operation. In DuPage County Court, Trinity prevailed over Hinsdale, with a judge recently ruling that up to nine people can live in the house.

Trinity has sued the village in federal court, alleging its actions have violated the federal Fair Housing and Americans With Disabilities acts. That litigation apparently got the attention of the U.S. Department of Justice's civil rights division, which is now investigating the village for possible violations of the Fair Housing Act.