The Place for Recovery Support
& The Caring People Who Created It
Welcome to The JADFA House
The JADFA House is a nonprofit Recovery Community Organization located in the heart of Kenmore, dedicated to helping individuals and families find hope, healing, and connection.
We are a non-residential, non-clinical organization. The best way to think of The JADFA House is as a community center focused on faith, recovery, and community. While we do not provide housing or clinical treatment services, we work alongside individuals and families by offering support, encouragement, resources, and opportunities to connect with others who understand the journey.
We believe that recovery is possible for everyone and that no one should have to walk through life’s challenges alone. Whether someone is seeking recovery support, community resources, encouragement, friendship, or simply a safe place to belong, our doors are open.
Our center provides peer support services, recovery meetings, grief support, wellness programming, family-friendly events, community outreach, basic needs assistance, volunteer opportunities, and spaces where people can build meaningful relationships and find purpose. We proudly serve individuals in recovery, family members, friends, and anyone looking for support and connection.
At The JADFA House, we are committed to meeting people where they are, treating everyone with dignity and respect, and creating an environment where hope can grow. Through compassion, community, faith, and service, we strive to make a lasting impact in Kenmore and throughout Greater Akron.
Whether you’re taking your first step, supporting a loved one, looking for resources, or simply searching for a place to connect, welcome home.
Drop-In Hours
Drop-In Hours are designated times when community members can visit the center without an appointment to access resources, connect with staff and peers, enjoy a cup of coffee, utilize our community spaces, and receive support.
Current Drop-In Hours:
- Tuesday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Friday: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Meetings & Programs
While Drop-In Hours are limited to the times listed above, The JADFA House is open for a variety of scheduled meetings, support groups, Bible studies, wellness activities, and community events throughout the week.
This means our center is often open outside of Drop-In Hours. Individuals are welcome to attend any scheduled meeting or program, even when the center is not operating regular Drop-In Hours.
We encourage visitors to check our calendar regularly, as meeting and program times extend beyond our posted Drop-In Hours and provide additional opportunities for connection, support, and community involvement. More information about our meetings is listed on our meetings tab.
Additional Events & Activities
In addition to our regularly scheduled meetings, The JADFA House hosts a variety of special events, wellness activities, educational workshops, support groups, family-friendly gatherings, volunteer opportunities, and community outreach initiatives throughout the year.
We also host monthly programs such as our Peer Support & Provider Support Meeting and Blake the Stigma Grief Support Group, along with other events that may be added throughout the year.
For the most up-to-date information regarding meetings, events, schedule changes, and community activities, we encourage you to follow The JADFA House on Facebook, where we regularly post announcements and updates.
The People Behind The JADFA House
Kristi Lambert, Founding Executive Director
Kristi Lambert is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of The JADFA House, a nonprofit Recovery Community Organization located in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood. With a passion for helping individuals and families find hope, healing, and connection, Kristi has dedicated her life to creating spaces where people feel welcomed, supported, and valued.
Drawing from her own lived experience and recovery journey, Kristi understands the importance of community, compassion, and second chances. She is committed to reducing stigma, increasing access to recovery support services, and building partnerships that strengthen the community as a whole.
Under her leadership, The JADFA House has grown into a vibrant community center focused on faith, recovery, and community, serving thousands of individuals each year through peer support, recovery meetings, wellness programming, community events, and basic needs assistance.
Kristi is a participant of the Ohio Recovery Leadership Academy and remains actively involved in advocacy, leadership development, and community collaboration efforts throughout Northeast Ohio. She is passionate about empowering others to discover their purpose, share their stories, and realize that lasting change is possible.
Above all, Kristi is a wife, mother, person in recovery, and believer in the power of hope.
Co-Founder Kenny Lambert
Kenny Lambert, born and raised in Akron’s Kenmore neighborhood – where The JADFA House is located. Kenny finally addressed his longtime battle with drug and alcohol abuse by entering recovery in 2018. Shortly after his daughter Amelia was born his recovery journey began. Kenny’s desire to be a present father led him to open a retail store in Kenmore in 2020. Named Just a Dad from Akron, the storefront celebrates his reborn love for God, family and community by featuring positive faith, recovery and community-centric clothing designs. Having walked the difficult but successful path to recovery, Kenny is passionate about giving others in his neighborhood the resource center they need to build positive relationships, receive useful advice and have access to sober support that will help them take the next step in their recovery journey.
The Roots of Just A Dad From Akron
The JADFA House gets its name from the Just a Dad from Akron, owned by co-founder Kenny Lambert (see above). More than just an apparel store, Just a Dad from Akron – located just across Kenmore Boulevard – has hosted countless meetings and events dedicated to building community and sobriety. Now, with the help of a generous donor, The JADFA House serves as a dedicated recovery support facility at 916 Kenmore Boulevard.
The Just a Dad from Akron concept is more than a clothing store – and it is bigger than Kenny Lambert. The phrase captures an identity of faith, fulfillment, humility, community and love. The story of Kenny’s addiction, recovery, clothing store and dedication to improving his neighborhood is well told in this documentary.
Donate Today and Make a Difference in Our Community.
The core of our mission lies in the continuous passion and dedication we have for the faith and recovery focused projects we take part in. Please join us by supporting these efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
