How It Began
Loudoun Serenity House was born from both heartbreak and hope — and inspired first and foremost by the powerful example of Mike’s Place in Rockville, Maryland. Founded by Tom & Donna Mutryn, in honor of their son, Michael, Mike’s Place was more than a sober living home — it was a model of dignity, compassion, and second chances.
Seeing the transformation that Tom created out of deep personal loss, Melissa Hinton was inspired to bring that same sense of hope and possibility to Loudoun County. In 2018, encouraged by her sister Rachel—who was suffering from substance use disorder—Melissa set out to create a safe, supportive home where women could rebuild their lives in recovery.
That vision could not have taken shape without the mentoring and advocacy of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, which helped us secure the critical seed funding needed to launch.
Their belief in our mission transformed inspiration into action and provided the foundation on which everything else was built. After Rachel’s heartbreaking death in 2019, Melissa’s resolve only deepened. Loudoun Serenity House opened its first women’s home in Leesburg in October 2020, followed by a men’s home in 2021 and a second women’s home in 2025, expanding its reach to more people in need. The opening of the Recovery Community Center in 2023 marked another milestone — a testament to how Tom and Donna’s example and the Community Foundation’s early support together transformed one woman’s vision into a thriving recovery community.