Using AI to Get Back to the People: Healing, Hope, and Transformation at Hope Town Ohio

In the heart of Ohio, Hope Town, Ohio is more than just a recovery program—it’s a place where second chances become success stories. Under the leadership of Ted St. John, Hope Town is committed to empowering individuals on their journey to recovery, equipping them with the skills and tools needed to rebuild their lives. But beyond traditional support, Ted and his team are embracing artificial intelligence (AI) as a means to create more efficient workflows and ensure that staff can focus on what matters most: helping people heal.

Bridging the Gap Between Technology & Recovery

For many in recovery and social service organizations, administrative work can be overwhelming. Compliance, documentation, and communication can eat into valuable time that could otherwise be spent supporting individuals in need. When AI Owl introduced a professional AI training to Hope Town, Ted saw an opportunity—not just to streamline operations but to bring a new level of efficiency and empowerment to his team.

"We are super excited about this technology and learning how to leverage the use of AI through automation and streamlining. Just all the menial, tedious, compliance-related type tasks that any administrative person does, which is a lot of what we do. But that's not what we signed up for."

From Hesitation to Innovation: A Culture Shift

One of the biggest barriers Ted faced was getting his staff comfortable with AI. Many team members had a neutral or even negative response to the idea, uncertain about how it could fit into their mission. But after AI Owl’s training, the mindset shifted.

"We were facing having some of our staff not know enough about AI to really assess what's happening and what the use is. They were having a neutral or negative response to the term AI. Since the training, they're all coming up with ideas as to how to utilize it better and incorporate it. That's huge for us."

By equipping his team with a better understanding of AI’s capabilities, Ted has helped foster a culture of innovation at Hope Town. Staff members now actively explore ways AI can assist in their day-to-day responsibilities, helping to free up time for more human-centered work.

AI in Action: Practical Solutions for Social Impact

Since completing the training, Hope Town has already begun implementing AI tools to automate administrative tasks and enhance productivity. One of the most impactful applications has been using custom GPT models to manage documents and streamline compliance requirements.

"We’re currently loading our resident handbook into ChatGPT, incorporating changes suggested by Ohio Recovery House. Historically, we would do this manually, but now, AI helps us edit, reformat, and organize these documents in a fraction of the time. That’s powerful."

This type of automation reduces burnout, allowing the Hope Town team to spend more time supporting residents rather than getting bogged down in paperwork.

A No-Brainer Investment in the Future

Beyond the immediate benefits, Ted sees AI training as an investment in Hope Town’s long-term success. He has already recommended AI Owl’s training to key players in Ohio’s recovery and social service space, including representatives from the governor’s office and One Ohio, a statewide foundation.

"The ability to get this level of training and have it 100% reimbursable is a no-brainer. We all need this training. Since there's already a system in place and AI Owl has a professional service, of course I'm going to recommend it and help expand its reach."

By bringing AI into recovery work, Hope Town, Ohio is leading the way in integrating technology with social impact—ensuring that those on the frontlines of recovery have the support, tools, and time they need to make a real difference.

Final Thoughts: The Future of AI & Recovery

Ted’s journey with AI is just beginning, but his vision is clear: use technology to streamline processes, empower staff, and create an environment where individuals in recovery can thrive. By embracing AI, Hope Town is proving that innovation isn’t just for tech startups—it has a place in healing, hope, and transformation.

If you want to support Hope Town’s mission or learn more about how they are making an impact, visit Hope Town, Ohio.