Thursday, October 29, 2009

Odyssey House Haven named "Outstanding Residence of the Year"

On Tuesday night, the Supportive Housing Network of New York (SHNNY) recognized the Odyssey House Haven as “Outstanding Residence of the Year.” This prestigious and competitive award was announced at the annual SHNNY gala to a capacity crowd of heads of nonprofit organizations, architects, political leaders, government officials, and contractors.

The SHNNY officials who toured the facility before choosing a winner said: “Walking into Odyssey House’s Haven, one is immediately impressed with the residence’s light, and sense of dignity and community …. Everywhere the eye lands, there is something beautiful, from the artworks that bedeck the lobby and two-story gallery, to the modern, open staircase, to the residence’s total spotlessness… The Network is proud to name Odyssey House’s Haven an Outstanding Residence of Year.”

And we’re very proud of Odyssey House Director of Community Housing, Janice Glenn-Slaughter, and her team. Congratulations!


Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Meet us at Mile 19

This Sunday, please join us at the Mile 19 water station to cheer on the Odyssey House Marathon Team. We have 45 runners – including clients, graduates, staff and volunteers – who need your support! The water station is located between 116th-117th Streets & 1st Ave. You can catch the Odyssey House team running by between 1-4 pm. Hope to see you there!


Congratulations to our 2009 program graduates!

Last Saturday, Odyssey House held a graduation ceremony for residents from the MABON, Teen Leadership Center and Lafayette Avenue who completed their treatment programs. In his keynote address, John Tavolacci, chief operating officer, congratulated the graduates on their achievement, telling them that they are "living proof that treatment works."




Graduation is a special event at Odyssey House. It’s an opportunity for graduates to talk about their treatment experience and future plans to their family and friends, and to encourage their peers who are still in treatment to stick with it.

Monday, October 26, 2009

The Royal Road to the Unconscious opens at the Haven Art Gallery

The Odyssey House Art Project opened its fifth exhibit last week, The Royal Road to the Unconscious. The exhibit features paintings, sculpture, drawings and multimedia works from artists in several different programs, including adolescents, senior citizens and residents in mental health housing.

OASAS Commissioner Karen Carpenter-Palumbo and Jerald Frampton
discussing "The Ten Most Common Dreams" by Solomon K. and Linda H.

Harbor resident and artist David R. with his piece, "Tree of Life."

"UNITYCOMMUNITY" by Albert C.

"The Goddess Fortuna Sees All" by the ElderCare Art Group

The Royal Road to the Unconsciousness will be open through January 22, 2010 at the Haven Art Gallery, 239 E. 121st Street in Harlem. View additional selections from the exhibit on our website.

Odyssey House
has an active and vibrant expressive arts program. Creating art helps residents find new ways to access feelings and a new medium to express these feelings. Many residents, who were socially and culturally isolated by their addiction and mental illness, are encouraged to become engaged in the creative process. For residents in recovery at Odyssey House, developing positive socialization and personal interactions are integral to their continued growth.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Odyssey House awarded 2 new federal grants

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently awarded Odyssey House two separate grants totaling $2.3 million. Both grants are for a period of three years.

The first grant, for $1.4 million, will enhance our comprehensive services for pregnant and postpartum women in residential substance abuse treatment. Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet described the grant as a "significant investment in the depth and range of services we offer mothers in our Family Center programs. This new award gives us the resources to do more: more family therapy, more family reunification, and more community outreach."

A second $900,000 grant will support the Bronx Urban Youth Initiative (BUY-IN), which provides substance abuse treatment services to teens and young adults, 18-24 years of age. "Partnership with SAMHSA/CSAT will allow us to deepen the range of services we currently offer at-risk youth and families, and bring additional federal dollars to underserved New York City communities," said Dr. Provet.

Monday, October 5, 2009

The Odyssey House Art Project presents "The Royal Road to the Unconscious"

"The Royal Road to the Unconscious," the latest exhibit by the Odyssey House Art Project, will open on Thursday, October 22nd at the Haven Art Gallery. Please join us for an opening reception from 4 pm to 7 pm. The Haven Art Gallery is located at 239 E. 121st St in Harlem.





This is the fifth exhibit by the Odyssey House Art Project, which was established for residents coping with mental illness, substance abuse and homelessness. The show is a diverse collection of paintings, sculptures and mixed media artwork depicting various figures and ideas from the artists’ imaginations.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Check out photos from Run for Your Life!

Here are some photos from our 4th Annual Run for Your Life event. There will be more to come - check back soon!



Children living at Odyssey House made a banner
to celebrate National Recovery Month.









Odyssey House Chief Operating Officer and
EVP John Tavolacci (second from left) with
Jody Silva Falk (left), Theresa Gentry and
Jerry Silva from Chem Rx, one of our sponsors.



Darrin Brown, director of Odyssey House
Edgecombe Residential Treatment Program,
with his family













Odyssey House president
Peter Provet with a runner.

Harriet Turner and Chymaine Turner, staff
members at the Odyssey House Manor Family Center