"I can find joy in life again."

In celebration of our 50th anniversary, each month we will be sharing a story that highlights one of our programs or treatment populations. Below is Kenneth’s story, who found creating art helped keep him focused on his recovery.

Art has been a part of Kenneth’s life for more than 40 years. Growing up, the comfort of creation helped distract Kenneth, 55, from the stresses of growing up in the projects with a single mom raising him and his siblings. As Kenneth reached his teenage years, art gave way to drugs and alcohol as a means of escape. For the next twenty-five years Kenneth struggled with his addiction to cocaine and alcohol, and found himself in and out of treatment programs.

A few years ago, Kenneth became homeless after he lost his job, and he had no money to pay his rent. Feeling hopeless about his future, Kenneth isolated himself. He relapsed, and knowing he needed to make a change, he entered residential treatment at Odyssey House.

In treatment, Kenneth found sanctuary by participating in workshops at the Odyssey House expressive arts studio. Kenneth says creating art allows him to express himself in ways he cannot verbally, and supports his recovery in a safe and sober environment. “The Odyssey House Art Project helped me find myself. I can find joy in life again.” This July, Kenneth celebrated one year of sobriety, giving him a more hopeful outlook on his life: “Now that I’ve reached this milestone, it’s going to be a brighter future for me.”

For more than a decade, our expressive arts studio has been a therapeutic oasis for clients of our residential treatment and housing programs, enabling them to find new ways to exercise their creativity and communicate their feelings. Art helps clients to open up, which also opens doors to improved treatment and healing. 

Run for Your Life registration is now open!

Registration is now OPEN for our 11th Annual Run for Your Life 5K Run & Recovery Walk! Register by Friday, July 29th for a special early bird rate and celebrate recovery with Odyssey House on September 24th.

The theme for Recovery Month 2016 is "Join the Voices for Recovery: Our Families, Our Stories, Our Recovery," which highlights the value of peer support by educating, mentoring, and helping others. It invites individuals in recovery and their support systems to be change agents in communities, and in civic and advocacy engagements.

Get more information.

Register Now!

I can't make it but I would like to support recovery.

We hope to see you in September!

“Focus and persistence is a powerful tool”

In celebration of our 50th anniversary, each month we will be sharing a story that highlights one of our programs or treatment populations. With high school graduations happening throughout June, we are highlighting one of our very own graduates this month. Chane, a resident of the Leadership Center for transitional-age men, recently passed his Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC) and is now looking forward to a brighter future.

From a very young age, Chane let his opioid addiction dictate his actions, leading to expulsion from high school and involvement in the judicial system. After being arrested for stealing to fund his drug habit, he was offered treatment at Odyssey House as an alternative to incarceration. Seeing an opportunity, Chane knew it was time to take control of his future.

When Chane, 29, entered the Leadership Center in June 2015, he struggled with the structure of the program. “When I came in, I was bitter and angry, and I wasn’t ready to change.”

But he quickly realized that this was his last chance to turn his life around, and he began to trust the process and found the support he needed through the staff. “The counselors care and want to see you do something productive for your life,” he says.

While in treatment, he dedicated himself to finishing his high school education and passing the TASC. Chane was nervous about how he would do, as he hadn’t been in a classroom in more than 10 years and had always struggled with math. Discussing his concerns with his vocational counselor gave Chane the confidence he needed to succeed as long as he worked hard and applied himself.

The breakthrough came from his math teacher. Chane says, “My teacher’s unique way of looking at math problems made problems that looked difficult become really simple.”

Chane not only passed the TASC but received the second highest score among his peers.

Since then, he has proven that his focus and persistence is a powerful tool that he can use for both his recovery and his career.

Chane is now training to be a plumber, and plans to continue advancing his skills by working towards additional certificates.

Check out our 2015 Annual Report

Sustaining a Commitment to Recovery

Our 2015 Annual Report is now online! The report includes information on our treatment and housing services, an overview of our health and wellness programs, and a look at the key events of 2015. Read the report here and let us know what you think.

Taking the first step to putting her family back together

In celebration of our 50th anniversary, each month we will be sharing a story that highlights one of our programs or treatment populations. Here is an excerpt from Joi's story, who recently completed residential treatment at our Family Center of Excellence in East Harlem.

When Joi entered the Manor Family Center in August 2015, she was lost. Struggling with depression, low self-esteem, and alcoholism, she needed a “new beginning” – an opportunity to turn her life around and regain custody of her children.

The 31-year-old mother of four had experienced a number of difficulties, including domestic violence and homelessness, but it took the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) removing custody of her baby to underscore the urgency of her situation.

Though ACS recommended an outpatient program, Joi chose residential treatment. She knew the more intensive therapy would get her on track to get her baby back faster. With Joi’s father taking care of her older three children, there were no more excuses. “I knew I had to turn my life around and set an example for my children,” she says.

“Since being here at Odyssey House, I’m responsible, independent, motivated, and a role model in my community.” While in treatment, Joi regained custody of her youngest child in only four months, and with the support of their grandfather, repaired her relationship with her older children. Joi also successfully completed vocational training and earned a security guard license.

Joi completed treatment in early May and is continuing to work on her recovery at our Outpatient Services in the Bronx. With help from her counselors, she found an apartment to move into after treatment and now lives with her youngest child, with regular visits from her older children.

“I accomplished all the goals I set out to achieve. Odyssey House will help you every step of the way, but you have to take the first step. If you don’t take the initiative, you won’t accomplish anything.”