House of Acts connects recovery and community in Vallejo

VALLEJO – When you walk into Hidden Treasures Boutique, on Tennessee Street in Vallejo, the first thing you might notice is the neatly arranged racks of gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories. But behind the store’s welcoming setup is something much deeper: a direct connection to recovery, second chances, and the mission of House of Acts.

Founded in 1989 by the late Hattie Smith Miles, House of Acts provides substance abuse treatment and a network of support for individuals rebuilding their lives. Since 2022, Executive Director Sheila Nixon has been leading the organization. She first joined in 2016 as a secretary before becoming administrator and then director.

House of Acts’ clients often stay connected for decades. “It’s the care we give to our clients,” Nixon said. “When they graduate, they often come back to visit. And if they relapse, they know they can return. We’re here for them.”

Hidden Treasures Boutique was Smith Miles’ idea from the start, a way to give back to the Vallejo community while supporting people in House of Acts’ programs. Everything in the store is donated by local residents. In addition to selling items at low cost, the boutique keeps racks of free clothing outside for anyone who needs them.

For store manager Josefina Santel, who has been running Hidden Treasures for eight years, the work is about more than managing donations and sales. “I love this job because I get to help people,” she said. Santel remembers the day she met the store’s founder, who gave her advice that still guides her: “Always do the right thing. If you see people in need, do the right thing for them.”

That moment came to life one winter when a family came in without money, in desperate need of warm sweaters. “I told the people working in the store, many of them are also clients in the House of Acts’ counseling program, to give the sweaters to them,” Josefina recalled. “It’s what Miss Hattie would have wanted.”

For participants in the recovery program, the boutique is also a vital resource. Many clients arrive with few belongings, and the store becomes their first stop for a week’s worth of clothes. “We buy undergarments for them here, but everything else they can pick out at the boutique,” Nixon explained.

Some clients go a step further, helping at the boutique as part of their recovery journey. They assist with sorting donations, arranging merchandise, and greeting customers, gaining practical work experience and the confidence that comes with it. “It teaches them responsibility, how to work with people, how to manage their time, all things they’ll need when they’re back on their own,” Nixon said.

The work is about more than a paycheck or a chore, it’s a bridge between treatment and independence. By working in the store, clients learn transferable skills in customer service, inventory management, and teamwork, all while building self-esteem in a safe, supportive environment.

House of Acts’ mission extends far beyond getting clean. The organization offers clinical counseling to help clients work through underlying trauma, mental health challenges, and strained family relationships. Counseling sessions address both the emotional and practical barriers to long-term recovery.

Sober living aftercare provides a structured environment for individuals who have completed treatment but need ongoing support as they transition to independent living. Residents benefit from peer accountability, staff guidance, and continued access to resources such as job search assistance and life skills training.

“We meet people where they are,” Nixon said. “That means supporting them with visits with their children, helping them navigate court requirements, and making sure they know they’re not alone.”

The need for programs like House of Acts is clear. In California, about 9% of residents met criteria for a substance use disorder in 2022, and only about 1 in 10 of them received treatment, according to the California Health Care Foundation’s 2022 chartbook.

While the statistics point to a significant treatment gap, Nixon sees House of Acts making a difference locally. By offering both clinical tools and real-world experiences, the organization provides a model for bridging that gap, ensuring that recovery is not just about sobriety but about stability, dignity, and community integration.

Hidden Treasures has also become a place for the wider community to connect. Families shop there for affordable clothing, and local schools have even brought students in to select prom dresses at no cost. Nixon says it’s all part of the store’s mission.

“If someone comes in and needs something, we give it to them. Not everyone can afford to buy new clothes,” she said. “This is about helping people, whether they’re in our program or not.”

The store also promotes sustainability by giving donated goods a second life and reducing landfill waste. Nixon sees it as a win-win: “When you shop here, you’re helping the environment, you’re helping someone in need, and you’re supporting people in recovery. It’s all connected.”

Nixon hopes more Vallejo residents will see thrift shopping as more than a bargain hunt. She wants people to understand that each purchase, donation, or volunteer hour contributes to both environmental responsibility and the ongoing recovery journeys of local residents.

“When you shop here, you’re helping the community in so many ways,” she said. “You’re part of a process that changes lives.”

For Nixon, continuing Smith Miles’ vision is both a responsibility and a privilege. “Miss Hattie believed in second chances,” she said. “Every day, we try to live that out, in the store, in our programs, and in the way we care for people.”

Nixon’s voice softens when she reflects on what truly drives the work. “At the end of the day, it’s about love,” she said. “Love changes people. When you show someone they matter, really matter, that’s when the healing begins.”

House of Acts is located in Vallejo and continues to accept donations for Hidden Treasures Boutique. For more information about its programs or to get involved, visit houseofacts.org.