Welcome to Alea's House
Creating safety and serving hope. A sanctuary of healing, growth, and reintegration where women in recovery can rebuild their lives.
The Urgent Need for Safe Recovery Housing
Alarming Overdose Crisis
Over 1,000 drug-related deaths annually in Orange County, with a significant and increasing number of women succumbing to opioid and fentanyl overdoses.
Profound Trauma & Poverty
Nearly all women in recovery are survivors of domestic violence, deep-seated trauma, and significant financial hardship, complicating their healing.
Scarce Safe Housing
There is a severe lack of safe, women-centered transitional housing; many existing facilities are co-ed or lack essential therapeutic structures.
Impact on Mothers & Children
Instability tied to addiction and housing insecurity often leads to painful child removals, severing family bonds and perpetuating generational cycles.
Vulnerable Unaccompanied Women
Women without partners or family support face heightened risks of homelessness, relapse, exploitation, and further trauma.
Every woman in recovery deserves more than sobriety; she deserves safety, belonging, and a real chance to rebuild her life and reclaim her future.
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
To create a safe, loving community where women recovering from substance use disorders can heal deeply, sustain lasting sobriety, and rediscover their strength, purpose, and power.
Our Vision
We envision a world where every woman burdened by addiction finds a safe place to land, heal, and transform. Alea's House exists to break cycles, restore hope, and rebuild lives—one woman, one home, and one healed heart at a time.
By meeting physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, we create the conditions for lasting transformation and empowered reintegration into life.
Our Leadership Team
Jenifer Wines, CADC II, ICADC, PRSS
Executive Director
A highly credentialed Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC II, ICADC, PRSS) with over 17 years of dedicated experience. Jenifer's profound personal journey through addiction and sustained sobriety is the powerful catalyst for her lifelong mission: to guide women toward deep healing, lasting recovery, and renewed purpose.
Rebecca Rabenn, BSN, RN, SCRN
Program Director
With two decades of invaluable experience in critical care nursing and stroke program leadership, Rebecca (BSN, RN, SCRN) passionately advocates for a holistic path to true recovery. Her philosophy centers on nurturing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—with functional medicine and precise nutritional support as integral components for comprehensive well-being.
Cara Lindsey, MS
Board Member
A dedicated social worker with over 25 years of profound experience supporting individuals with disabilities, Cara (MS) brings a compassionate heart to our board. Her unwavering commitment is deeply inspired by her sister Alea's story, driving her to build the robust and nurturing support system that Alea tragically never received.
Jenifer's Story: From Heartbreak to Hope
Jenifer Wines is the Founding Director of Alea's House and a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor with over 17 years of experience in addiction recovery. Her personal journey through addiction and sobriety fuels a lifelong mission to help women heal, rebuild, and thrive.
Jenifer has held leadership and counseling roles at respected organizations, including Veterans Village of San Diego, Genesis Recovery, Green Oak Ranch, The Camp Recovery Center, and The Purpose of Recovery. As the former Women's Ministry Director in Northern California and previous owner of a sober living home, she has consistently championed safe, nurturing environments for women in recovery.
In 2021, Jenifer experienced the devastating loss of her goddaughter, Alea Taylor Phillips, to overdose. That heartbreak became the catalyst for founding Alea's House—a transitional home dedicated to restoring purpose, dignity, and hope for women in early recovery.
Guided by a deep faith and a passion for service, Jenifer leads the foundation with compassion, vision, and an unwavering belief in second chances.
Rebecca's Story: Nurturing Healing from Within
Rebecca Rabenn, RN, BSN, brings 20 years of experience in critical care and stroke program leadership to her role as Program Director of Alea's House. Known for her compassionate bedside manner, clinical expertise, and dedication to patient advocacy, she has built a career focused on improving outcomes through evidence-based care.
In her previous role as Stroke Program Coordinator for a Comprehensive Stroke Program certified by The Joint Commission, Rebecca managed a team of stroke nurses and played a key role in clinical protocol development, staff education, and performance improvement initiatives. She also oversaw data collection and reporting for multiple national databases, ensuring adherence to quality benchmarks and measurable outcomes.
After achieving sobriety herself and through her healing journey, Rebecca discovered a new calling—helping women reclaim their lives and guiding them on their healing journeys, mentally, physically, and spiritually.
Rebecca believes that true recovery means caring for the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. Functional medicine and nutrition are central to her philosophy for Alea's House, where gut and brain health are recognized as vital to long-term sobriety and well-being. Her vision is to create a supportive community where women can rebuild their health, strength, and sense of purpose.
Cara's Story: A Sister's Promise
Cara Lindsey's work is shaped by her sister Alea, whose struggle through 26 failed placements over a 14-year timespan revealed the most painful gaps in our recovery and disability-support systems. Alea's intellectual disability due to an overdose left her vulnerable to unsafe environments, constant displacement, and programs unequipped to support her—that is, until Jenifer Wines came into her life. Jenifer, during her time as director of Green Oak Ranch, helped Alea become sober by giving her purpose, teaching her self-worth, and helping her on her path of recovery. While sober, Alea became an inspiration for many in the sober living community, volunteering for the poor, caring for children with developmental disabilities, and becoming a symbol of hope for many. She was remarkable and beautiful, and she brought out the best in everyone around her. Alea's story, and the systems that failed her, drive Cara's commitment to creating what her sister never had.
Cara is a social worker with a BA in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz and an MS in Rehabilitation Counseling with a specialization in Assistive Technology from San Diego State. For over 25 years, she has supported adults and children with disabilities through roles in Early Intervention, the San Diego Regional Center, and the Exceptional Family Member Program. As a mother of three children on the autism spectrum, she has navigated complex service systems to ensure her kids thrive in inclusive environments.
A 2013 USMC Spouse of the Year honoree at Kaneohe Bay, Cara built a support network for families affected by PTSD. Her personal and professional experiences fuel her dedication to serving women in recovery, people with disabilities, and low-income communities. Alea's House reflects her mission to provide safety, stability, and dignity—and the kind of support that could have changed Alea's life.
More Than Just a Roof—A Complete Refuge
Safe Housing
Stable and secure living space where women can begin their healing journey in a protected environment.
Therapy Support
Individual and group sessions designed to address trauma, build resilience, and foster emotional healing.
Recovery Coaching
Peer support from those who understand the journey, providing guidance and encouragement every step of the way.
Wellness Programming
Comprehensive nutrition, exercise, and health assessments to restore physical well-being and vitality.
Life Skills Training
Develop essential skills for independent living, from financial literacy to job readiness and daily life management.
Recovery Capital
Building strength across 12 domains of recovery to create a foundation for lasting transformation.
Faith-Based Practices
Nurturing spirituality and inner peace as a cornerstone of holistic healing and personal growth.
Each guest's stay is anticipated to last anywhere from six months to two years, providing the time needed for deep, sustainable transformation.
A Day in the Life at Alea's House
Every day is thoughtfully structured to balance healing, growth, and community connection—creating rhythm and purpose in recovery.
Morning Routine
  • 6:30 a.m. - Wake up, make beds, get ready for the day
  • 7:00 a.m. - Morning meditation, daily reflection as a group
  • 8:00 a.m. - Breakfast/Morning Stretch or Walk
  • 9:00 a.m. - Group therapy session
  • 11:00 a.m. - Life Skills workshop
  • 12:30 p.m. - Lunch
Afternoon & Evening
  • 1:00 p.m. - Group therapy session
  • 2:30 p.m. - Individual recovery work
  • 4:00 p.m. - Creativity time: Art/Reiki/Yoga
  • 5:30 p.m. - Dinner, including preparation, communal
  • 7:30 p.m. - 12-step recovery meeting
  • 9:00 p.m. - Downtime: Journaling, reading, meditation
  • 10:00 p.m. - Bedtime, lights out
Possibilities and Hopes for the Future
At Alea's House, we envision a holistic environment that nurtures healing and empowers women for a successful future. Our commitment extends beyond safe housing to include spaces and resources designed to restore body, mind, and spirit.
Animal Sanctuary
A safe haven for rescued animals, fostering emotional healing, responsibility, and unconditional companionship for women in recovery.
Vegetable and Herb Gardens
Promoting healthy eating habits and gardening experience, connecting residents with the earth and sustainable living.
Fruit Orchards
Offering a sustainable source of healthy, fresh produce, connecting residents with nature and the cycles of growth.
Dedicated Fitness Space
Equipped for physical activity, supporting stress reduction, improved well-being, and the establishment of healthy daily routines.
Reliable Community Transport
A dedicated van ensures residents have access to appointments, employment, education, and essential community resources.
The Inspiration: Alea Taylor Phillips
More than half of these beautiful women have overdosed or committed suicide. Alea's House is built on heartbreak—the overdose loss of Alea Taylor Phillips—and on the belief that every woman burdened with addiction can rise again.
Cara Lindsey's work is shaped by her sister Alea, whose struggle through 26 failed placements over a 14-year timespan revealed the most painful gaps in our recovery and disability-support systems. While sober under Jenifer's care at Green Oak Ranch, Alea became an inspiration for many in the sober living community, volunteering for the poor, caring for children with developmental disabilities, and becoming a symbol of hope. She was remarkable and beautiful, and she brought out the best in everyone around her.
Beyond Alea's House: Equipped for Life
We equip women with essential tools and support systems needed to thrive independently and build a fulfilling life after leaving Alea's House.
Stable Employment
Secure meaningful employment, providing financial stability and a renewed sense of purpose and contribution.
Financial Foundations
Establish a personal checking account and build savings, fostering confidence in independent financial management.
Secure Housing
Transition into a safe, stable, and independent living environment that supports continued growth.
Holistic Well-Being
Access to health insurance, primary care, and continued therapy appointments for comprehensive physical and mental health.
Enduring Support System
Connect with Alea's House alumni network for ongoing guidance and fellowship throughout life's journey.
A Promise in Action
Too many women are dying. Too many children are growing up without their mothers. Too few places exist where healing can truly begin.
Join us to change the narrative. Join our mission.
Support Our Mission