Put simply, Serenity House of Buford, Inc (SHOBI) provides to 12 step recovery programs what the Groups cannot provide for themselves. Most groups meet in churches, hospitals, treatment centers, or similar places. Under long standing Traditions, A.A. and Al-Anon groups never own buildings or meeting halls. This allows them to avoid the problems and controversies that too often arise from property ownership. Clubhouses, like Serenity House, are formed because many 12 step members want to have their “own place” to meet and to enjoy between-meeting fellowship. An A.A. or Al-Anon group cannot itself provide such facilities, but a separate club can.

Groups are not “affiliated” with the operations of the clubhouse. Similarly as they would to a church, community center or other entity the groups pay rent for the use of the facility. The rent to SHOBI covers a portion of the cost of Club operations. In one sense, SHOBI is the “landlord” and the groups the “tenants”, although their relationship goes well beyond that. SHOBI focuses on material needs, freeing the groups to concentrate on their primary purpose: recovery from alcoholism (or in the case of Al-Anon, the effects of alcoholism).