The Bethel area’s first sober house — Chris’ Haven — is getting ready to open later this month after eight months of work by a grieving mother and brother.

The home at 47 Old County Road in Woodstock is named for Chris, Mary Ellen Montplaisir’s eldest son and Marc Montplaisir’s brother. Chris had been sober for nearly three years before dying unexpectedly of a heart attack, they said.

Also a recovering addict, Marc, in an August interview, reflected on the help he received from his older brother, Chris. “He pulled me off the streets, put me in rehab.”

Their friend, Maureen Kachele, wrote a song for Chris’ Haven called “This Isn’t Just a House.”

“For months I’ve watched a miracle rise. From broken ground and tear stained skies … every breath says love lives here. They carry Chris in everything they do…,” the song says.

An open house will be held Friday, Feb. 20, from 1-7 p.m.; Saturday, Feb. 21, from noon to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, Feb. 22, from 1-6 p.m. The public is invited to share light snacks and refreshments with Marc and Mary Ellen.

Since the summer, the mother and son have gutted the 16-bed interior, added insulation, framed new bedrooms and bathrooms, completed plumbing and, more recently, finished the work from laying floors to painting and adding furniture.

“We’ve done a lot of work,” Marc said.

“The hardest part was being the contractors,” Mary Ellen said. “We’ve learned a lot.”

Hiring contractors proved too expensive, so they turned to Facebook, where one woman volunteered her husband. He and a friend showed up and spent an entire Saturday sheet rocking the first-floor bathroom.

The Montplaisirs received donated furniture, some from the Bethel Rotary Club. Hancock Lumber donated $10,000 to the project, and other contributions came through GoFundMe and across the community.

The Montplaisirs hope friends, family, local residents and business owners who have helped over the many months of work will attend the open house. In addition to a flyer posted around town, they sent about 35 invitations.

“We couldn’t have done it without the community — the donations and the volunteer help,” Mary Ellen said.

On a flyer they plan to post in the Bethel area, the Montplaisirs thank the community: “With gratitude from Mary Ellen — Mother; Marc, Billy and Jeremy Montplaisir — Brothers; Nancy and Rod Staudinger — Nana and Pops.”

As they await an occupancy certificate, a waiting list for residents has begun to form.

While residents of the sober house will be provided with household necessities, they’ll be responsible for their food and clothing — though the Montplaisirs will step in if someone needs extra help.

“So many people come from rehab with nothing. They go in with nothing, too. I was one of those people that literally came with nothing,  just the clothes on my back,” Marc said.