Holiday Toy & Book Drive!

With the holidays approaching, our thoughts turn to the families in our care, including the many infants, toddlers, and preschoolers living with their parents in residential treatment.

Please join us in making a difference in a child’s life this season by contributing to a toy and book drive benefiting the children in our programs.

Holidays are a difficult time for families in recovery. Your support makes a big difference in the lives of parents who are working to rebuild their lives, and the small children whose developmental needs are also being served. Your gifts will be distributed at our annual Odyssey House Family Center holiday party on December 15th, bringing families together in a healthy, nurturing way to celebrate the spirit of generosity and sharing.

We welcome your donation of new, unwrapped toys and books for young children up to age 7. We are asking that all donations and/or contributions be submitted to the Odyssey House Family Center (219 East 121st Street), to the attention of Ms. Aries Young, Deputy Director of Early Educational Services, by Friday, December 11th. Or to schedule a pick-up, please contact Carolyn Abrams at cabrams@odysseyhouseinc.org or 212-361-1660.

Our Summer 2015 newsletter is now available!

The Summer 2015 edition of Odyssey House News is now available online. Read about our renovated medical clinic, latest art show, new services and more. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments or on our Facebook wall. Click here to read it (pdf). If you'd like to receive a copy in the mail, please email your contact information to info(at)odysseyhouseinc.org.

And don't forget to join us on September 19th for our 10th Annual Run for Your Life celebration!

A mother in recovery

In honor of Mother's Day, we are sharing Samantha's story. Samantha is in treatment with her two young children at our Family Center of Excellence. 

When Samantha entered Odyssey House mere days after giving birth to her second child, she was looking for a second chance – to be a better mother, to secure a brighter future, to achieve a sustainable recovery. 

A few years earlier, Samantha had spent 13 months in another treatment program for opiate addiction. She was clean for four years before relapsing. “I didn’t have the right attitude the first time around. I didn’t think I needed to be there.” But now, as a mother of two young children, ages eight months and three years, recovery took on a whole new significance. 

“It’s not just about me anymore. I’m committed to recovery in a way I wasn’t before – I’m far more open-minded and receptive to treatment. If I don’t stay clean, I’ll lose everything and I’m not going to let that happen. I have two lives depending on me.” 

Though the process has been overwhelming at times, being in treatment with her children has kept Samantha motivated. “The nursery has been incredibly helpful, and the parenting groups are amazing. I’ve learned healthy coping skills, appropriate discipline techniques, and patience.” 

As Samantha nears the end of her treatment at Odyssey House, she has been preparing for the future – training to become a home health aide and seeking assistance with housing. “When I leave here, it’ll be the first time having a place of my own. I can’t wait to have a fresh start, and to demonstrate to my kids why it’s important to put your best foot forward and do the right thing.”

In the Odyssey House Family Center of Excellence, mothers learn how to break the cycle of substance abuse and create a nurturing home for their children. Mothers and their young children live together in bright, comfortable quarters as part of a community that is safe, supportive and enjoyable. Click here for more information.

Doing well by doing good: A day of service at Odyssey House

On July 26^th, approximately 50 staff members from international branding firm Siegel+Gale joined Odyssey House to paint a mural and the playrooms at the Manor Family Center. The images and mural painted by Siegel+Gale bring a touch of whimsy to the playrooms and create a relaxing space for the facility’s residents.

Siegel+Gale co-CEO David Srere said the idea for the day of service is rooted in the heritage of the company: doing well by doing good. He said, “This kind of day, when you’re using your skills, passions and talents to contribute to something that is really important and larger than any one of us, is a critical, fundamental underpinning of what Siegel+Gale is all about.”

When considering how they could contribute to Odyssey House, Howard Belk, co-CEO of Siegel+Gale, said that art seemed like a natural fit. “One of the tools that Odyssey House uses to help their clients overcome their challenges is art,” said Mr. Belk. “So we went to art because we’d seen the power of it already. And we’ve created these fun and light-hearted murals to lift the spirits of the residents here.”

Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet discussed the significance of the day of service by recognizing the value of partnerships. “This kind of corporate connection validates the work we do,” Dr. Provet said. “It gives our staff and clients a belief that they are not alone, that others care for the struggle they’ve gone through and the commitment they’re making by being at Odyssey House, and so we thank Siegel+Gale enormously for being there for our clients, their families, and for our entire organization.”

Odyssey House first connected with Siegel+Gale three years ago when they helped us refresh our visual identity with a vibrant, award-winning logo. Since then, Justin Peters, global executive creative director at Siegel+Gale, who led the logo design project, joined the Odyssey House Boards of Trustees and hosted the 10^th anniversary reception for the Odyssey House Art Project. 

See all the photos from the day on our Flickr page.

Working in Recovery: Running residential programs

Comprehensive treatment with wraparound medical, educational, vocational, and housing supports

By Justin Mitchell, Vice President & Director of Adult Residential Services

From our humble beginnings of 17 individuals coming together to form a community focused on living drug free, Odyssey House has developed into a multi-service entity providing a safe haven for the neediest New Yorkers. From the newborn child to the elderly man or woman, Odyssey House is equipped to meet the specific needs of a wide range of clientele struggling with substance use disorders, mental illness and homelessness.

Today’s Odyssey House has adopted an increased focus on evidence-based services, including parenting and trauma interventions; licensed early educational services such as Early Head Start; adult basic education; on-site medical and dental clinics; and an ever-expanding supportive housing portfolio. 

I joined Odyssey House in 2002 as a rehabilitation counselor with the goal of assisting clients in developing the skills necessary to reintegrate into their community and become productive members of society. Over the past 10 years I have had the chance to work in various positions and departments within Odyssey House, providing me with a unique opportunity to affect change on a client, a staff, and an organizational level.

Today, I am responsible for the residential treatment programs that are core to Odyssey House’s 46 year history. It is my job to ensure that the 500 adults and children we serve every day receive the best quality treatment; maintain compliance with various city, state and federal regulations; and develop methods to enhance our treatment programs to meet the changing needs of our clientele. 

During my years at Odyssey House, I have learned that the clients most successful at staying clean are the ones who are most committed to the treatment process. Odyssey House, at its foundation, remains a self-help program that encourages individuals to maximize their time in treatment to address a wide range of social, physical and spiritual needs. I expect, and encourage, clients to take an active role in their recovery, creating individualized treatment goals that include abstinence from drugs and alcohol, educational and vocational milestones, employment, financial self-sufficiency, and independent housing.  

But my job at Odyssey House is not merely an administrative one. I have a central belief that our role as models for right living can have the greatest impact on clients. As staff we are here to inspire hope in our clients: hope that by making a commitment to honest reflection and meaningful change, one can regain control and redirect the path of their lives. By demonstrating patience, positive communication skills, a strong work ethic, and genuine care and concern, we provide an example of how to be good family members, parents and citizens. Every day, we demonstrate how to give back to our community. 

In treatment, every day provides a new opportunity to be successful. As we continue to think about how long-term residential treatment fits into a changing health care environment, it is important to remember that for our clients, success may come slowly and can take many forms. For our young adults it may be achieving their GEDs; for clients struggling with mental illness it can mean the independence of community-based housing; for our mothers it can mean family reunification; and for our elderly it can be gaining a sense of integrity as they recover from a lifelong addiction.  

Working in Recovery is an occasional series of guest blog posts by Odyssey House clinical, administrative, and research experts.

Download our new brochures!

Learn more about Odyssey House's programs and services in our new brochures. You can download them from our Admissions page or email us at admissions@odysseyhouseinc.org to order a hard copy set. Give us your feedback in the comments or on our Facebook page.

An inspiring evening with Cirque du Soleil

Parents and children in our Family Center were treated to a special night recently – a performance of Totem, Cirque du Soleil’s latest show. With tickets generously donated by Cirque du Soleil and Tickets for Kids Charities, our clients had a night they’ll never forget.

Residents described the experience as exciting, beautiful, awesome, fantastic, and inspiring. Rosanna said she will never forget this experience and “she felt like a kid again.” Jenine said, “It was such a beautiful love story.” Harold commented on the fluidity of the show: “The speed at which the acts were performed was superb!”

The residents also saw ways they could incorporate the themes of the show into their lives. Shawn saw unity among different races, which reminded her that “all men are equal.” Rosanna said, “It shows me that I can do anything I put my mind to. I know if I work hard in school and do my studies, I’m going to get my GED!” Andres was inspired by the dedication of the performers, and it strengthened his dedication to his recovery.

At Odyssey House, we take care to offer our residents a variety of cultural, fitness, and recreational activities as part of our holistic approach to treatment. Such activities give residents the opportunity to have positive sober experiences while in treatment and enhance their educational and social experiences. Thank you to Cirque du Soleil and Tickets for Kids Charities for giving our residents an unforgettable experience!

The Spring 2012 newsletter is now available

The Spring 2012 edition of Odyssey House News is now available online! Read about our new housing programs, get an update on OHROCS (Odyssey House Recovery Oriented Care System), and more. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments or on our Facebook page.

Odyssey House wins housing award

Housing support for homeless families with substance use disorders

Odyssey House has been selected by the New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) to receive $499,000 in annual funding to provide 20 permanent supportive housing apartments with case management and vocational services staff for families who were homeless when they entered an Odyssey House intensive residential facility, and are now scheduled to complete that course of treatment.

This innovative housing model will target chronically homeless families; families at serious risk of becoming chronically homeless; and other currently homeless families, in which the head-of-household has a substance use disorder.

The award was announced by New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, who called the initiative “another component of the New York/New York III Agreement that has brought together many State and City agencies and departments in a multi-year effort to address homelessness.”

Odyssey House has significant experience working with families in residential and outpatient treatment settings as well as supportive housing programs. At any one time up to 210 women and children live in specially equipped family accommodations in one of the organization’s treatment centers. The comprehensive services provided include: intensive substance abuse, mental health, and family counseling; medical and dental care; vocational, educational, legal, and housing support; and onsite licensed childcare services that include nurseries and early Head Start programs.

Dr. Peter Provet, President and CEO of Odyssey House, welcomed the Governor’s support for families in treatment and added: “As our understanding of what it means to be in recovery evolves, and we develop programs that address the bio-psycho-social needs of families in treatment, the provision of safe, affordable housing is a key component of a holistic approach to treating substance abuse disorders.”

Click here to read the full press release.

Nourishing families at Odyssey House

Children at Odyssey House got a special holiday treat this week – a Thanksgiving-themed Junior Chef class taught by Nourishing NYC. The children learned how to dress a turkey and prepared traditional side dishes like cornbread stuffing, sautéed green beans, and a spinach and cranberry salad. For dessert, they made sugar free pumpkin pudding. Check out more photos from the class on our Flickr page.

In addition to the class, Nourishing NYC donated 50 turkeys to Odyssey House so the families in our programs could have a proper Thanksgiving dinner. The cooking class and food donation are part of Nourishing NYC’s “Thanksgiving Back” campaign, which is distributing 1,000 turkeys to families in need throughout Harlem and the Bronx.

This marks the third time Odyssey House has partnered with Nourishing NYC to educate the families in our programs on nutrition and encourage healthy eating. Promoting a well-balanced diet and sound nutrition is a top priority at Odyssey House. Our residents have access to several healthy eating workshops that help them prepare nutritious meals for their families.

Garden therapy

Odyssey House was featured in an article by The Wall Street Journal about the Carver Community Garden in East Harlem. Earlier this spring, the Manor Family Center acquired two plots at the garden and, with the help of residents and their children, planted a variety of vegetables. More information on Odyssey House's participation in the garden and how it is being used as an educational tool for parents and children will be in our upcoming summer newsletter. Click here to read the full article.

Josiah Viacava, playing in Carver Community Garden, which is tilled by locals on East 124th Street. Josiah lives in the Odyssey House Family Center with his mother.

From fast food to whole grains: CHEF program teaches healthy eating

Our Creating Healthy Eating Families (CHEF) program, which focuses on improving the basic nutrition and eating habits of parents and their children, wrapped up its first cycle at Family Re-Entry with a potluck dinner. Residents each prepared several vegetarian dishes demonstrating what they learned during the program. Dishes included bok choy and mushroom stir fry; kale lasagna with whole wheat noodles; and brown rice with broccoli.

At the potluck, participants raved about the program and talked about the changes they had made in their diets as a result. One resident, Teresa, was able to reduce her cholesterol medication by making healthy substitutions, like baking instead of frying. Bernadette, who said she was skeptical of the program at first – “I like fried foods and large portions!” – started using fresh herbs to flavor her food and reduced her sodium intake. Gilbert said CHEF taught him to be mindful of what he was eating and how it affected his health.

Participants met with nutritionist Paulette Sinclair-Weir twice a week for six weeks and learned about topics such as reading nutrition labels, reducing portion sizes, increasing fruit and vegetables, and food safety. Sessions included hands-on cooking instruction to let participants implement their new skills.

The CHEF program was created with a $25,000 grant from Aetna. For more information on the grant, click here.

Treating newborns dependent on painkillers

At the Odyssey House Family Centers of Excellence, we treat a range of women with substance use disorders, including those who are pregnant, have recently given birth, or are taking care of young children. In his letter in today's New York Times, Dr. Peter Provet, President of Odyssey House, comments on a recent front page article that highlights the lack of educational and treatment resources for young women who become pregnant while addicted to prescription opiates.

To the Editor:

It is troubling to read how little progress has been made in understanding the impact in utero exposure to addictive drugs can have on babies born to pregnant substance abusers. In the 1990s concern was expressed over a potential lost generation of "crack babies." Treatment organizations responded as best they could with programs for women and children that provided links to medical and child development services and with programs that tackle the mother's poverty, poor education and lack of job skills.

But despite data supporting increased financing of prevention services and treatment programs that target pregnant substance abusers, limited resources and stigma discourage women from seeking treatment for fear of having the baby removed from their care.

Renewed effort must be made to reach drug-troubled women before they get pregnant, and in the event they are expecting a child, community clinics and hospitals need to be educated about addiction treatment and where to refer both mother and baby for long-term care.

PETER PROVET
President, Odyssey House
New York, April 11, 2011

Click here to read the original article, "Newly Born, and Withdrawing from Painkillers" (April 9, 2011), on The New York Times website.

Treating Women and Girls

Earlier this month, the White House Council on Women and Girls released the first comprehensive report on the status of women in the United States since 1963. The report shows that while women have made great strides over the last 50 years, there continue to be areas where they face unique challenges. Dealing with substance abuse is one such area.

Research shows that women and girls face specific challenges in substance abuse treatment and require customized prevention, treatment and recovery programs. In recognition of these challenges, Odyssey House offers several programs that meet the needs of women and adolescent girls. In 1973, we opened the first residential center for addicted mothers and their children so parents don’t have to choose between caring for their children and seeking the treatment they need. Additionally, in 2007 we opened the Lafayette Avenue Teen Girls program, the city's first publicly funded all-girls residential center. This program offers girls the individualized support and attention they need to grow into healthy young women.

Gil Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, understands the importance of providing treatment services tailored for women and girls. In his response to the White House report, Director Kerlikowske said, "By expanding access to evidence- and gender-based treatment services that address the unique needs of women, particularly parenting women, we strengthen American families and communities."

For more information on substance abuse in women and girls, click here for a study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University.

Odyssey House develops healthy eating program with support from Aetna

Aetna is continuing its support of Odyssey House with the development of a new initiative called Creating Healthy Eating Families (CHEF). This new program will provide hands-on nutrition and cooking classes for mothers living with their children in the Odyssey House Family Centers. The $25,000 grant will allow us to focus on improving the basic nutrition and eating habits of mothers and children, including crafting individual obesity prevention plans to establish goals in the areas of food selection, eating behaviors and frequency of exercise.

This is the third grant by Aetna to Odyssey House, and the second in two years to support our health and wellness programs. Last year, we created a health literacy program aimed at improving overall physical health and quality of life for young families in treatment.

To learn more about CHEF, read the full press release here.

Manor Family Center gets a new playground

Last Saturday, more than 250 volunteers from KaBOOM! , Kraft Foods and New York Academy of Medicine, in addition to volunteers from local universities and community organizations, joined Odyssey House staff and clients to build a new playground at the Manor Family Center.

New York's First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson kicked off the build with some inspiring words about the importance of play. Watch this short video to see what she had to say and to get a glimpse of what the day was like.

Here's a preview of photos of the day's activities. More will be posted on our Flickr page soon.

NY First Lady Michelle Paterson & Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet.

Mixing cement for installation.

Installing one of the slides.

Painting the mural.

Thank you to our volunteers for your hard work!

Improving health literacy for families in treatment

Earlier this month, Odyssey House clinical staff conducted a Health Literacy seminar for our Family Center clients. Nearly three dozen mothers and fathers participated in the event, which served as the final component of the Aetna Foundation-funded Health Education and Literacy Program (OH HELPS).

During the seminar, learning was reinforced through practical and interactive exercises in taking temperatures, dosing medication, and seeking medical help. Each participant received an OH HELPS goodie bag that included a cold kit, a digital thermometer, and a first aid kit. The day closed with an entertaining version of "Baby Talk" Jeopardy that enabled the participants to demonstrate their newly improved levels of health literacy.

OH HELPS was developed with funding from Aetna. Odyssey House partnered with the Community Pediatrics Department at Columbia University Medical Center to develop and deliver the initial curriculum that focused on basic health care topics, including: "When and How to Use an Emergency Room," "Treating Colds and Flus," "Immunization," and "Basic Home Health Procedures." These sessions were delivered over the course of the year by second year pediatric inters from Columbia University Medical Center and Odyssey House staff.

The final half-day seminar served as a means to strengthen our clients' family-focused and practical health literacy, and to celebrate the successful implementation of the OH HELPS program into our Family Centers. Odyssey House will continue to conduct these seminars on a quarterly basis.

Odyssey House develops family health educational initiative with support from Aetna

Odyssey House is pleased to announce that Aetna is supporting the development of a new health education initiative aimed at improving overall physical health and quality of life for young families in treatment at Odyssey House. The $25,000 grant will allow Odyssey House to develop an enhanced health literacy program for pregnant women, women with infants, and parents with young children residing at the Family Center of Excellence.

Dr. Peter Provet, President of Odyssey House thanked Aetna for its ongoing support and partnership of services that improve the health and wellbeing of families in treatment. “We are grateful to Aetna for joining us investing in families while they are in treatment – an investment that pays off in helping families manage their health today, and in preparation for healthier lives tomorrow when they complete our program.“

For the majority of residents in our Family Center of Excellence Program, poor health literacy typically manifests itself in a pretreatment history of a disproportionate use of emergency room facilities, misunderstanding of and failure to follow treatment and prescription instructions, and low levels of participation in preventive screening - all of which can lead to poorer health status for themselves and their children.

The Healthy Literacy Curriculum is made up of three key health components:

• Access to healthcare: basic knowledge and understanding of the health care system, empowering parents to better communicate and be active participants in their family health care needs, and connecting them to a community-based health care provider upon completion of Odyssey House treatment;


• Power of prevention: knowledge of preventative and routine healthcare measures for themselves and their children including emergency medicine, immunizations, preventive screening, dispensing medicine and child development; and


• Healthy eating: develop parents’ understanding of how healthy eating relates to the prevention and control of chronic diseases for themselves and their children.

To read more, click here.