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.

Our Winter 2016 newsletter is online

The Winter 2016 edition of Odyssey House News is now available online. Read about our newest supportive housing building, client success stories, grant renewals, 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.

"Housing & recovery are joined at the hip"

In today's edition of The New York Times, Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet comments on a recent article examining New York City's response to an earlier investigative report (A Choice for Recovering Addicts: Relapse or Homelessness, May 30, 2015) on the deplorable conditions of three-quarter homes. 

 

Housing for Addicts

To the Editor:

Your investigative report on "three-quarter" homes (front page, Aug. 3) exposes flaws in a system that places vulnerable people with substance abuse and/or mental disorders in living situations with providers who at best do nothing to support their recovery, and at worst propel them toward drug use and chaos through crowded, substandard living conditions.

It is troubling to all of us who provide treatment services that people who leave our programs with the tools to live sober and independent lives are just one bad placement away from falling back into addiction. But the fact is that housing and recovery are joined at the hip.

Within long-term recovery, however, stable housing is necessary but not sufficient. Quality outpatient and recovery services are essential to maintaining successes achieved in what can otherwise devolve into a chronic relapsing disorder. That some corrupt providers may exist should not obscure the fact that hundreds of others offer critical community-based services that allow thousands in recovery to flourish.

PETER PROVET

President and Chief Executive

Odyssey House

New York, April 3, 2014

Last year, Odyssey House opened Soundview Avenue, a NewYork State Office of Mental Health-funded supportive housing building that provides permanent housing in the Bronx for 56 single, low income adults living with special needs. To mark our one-year anniversary of providing services, we held a breakfast for our tenants, neighbors, and community partners.

We had a great turnout from the community, including representatives from the 43^rd Precinct Community Council, the Soundview Residence Council, Urban Health Plan, and Leake & Watts. Dr. Sidney Hargrave, vice chair of the Bronx Community Board #9, said, “Odyssey House has been a partner with Community Board 9 for years. Thank you for being a beacon in this community. This is one of the best residences in our district.”

 Ruth S., a tenant who moved into Soundview Avenue in January 2014, addressed the crowd to talk about her experiences in the shelter system and how her life has turned around since moving in: “I felt insecure, hopeless and sad all the time – I isolated myself and my mental illness worsened. It’s comforting to have my independence back and stability in my life. Odyssey House has made me feel better; for the past year, I have felt safe.”

Supportive housing building receives LEED Silver certification

Last year, Odyssey House opened Soundview Avenue, a New York State Office of Mental Health-funded building that provides permanent housing in the Bronx for 56 single, low income adults living with special needs. Designed to be our first eco-friendly building, Soundview Avenue incorporates environmentally sustainable and energy-efficient design, construction, operation, and maintenance practices. We are pleased to announce that Soundview Avenue, a LEED-certified project, has now achieved Silver level certification, a first for a NYS Office of Mental Health-funded supportive housing program.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a certification program by the US Green Building Council that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. Key green design features that contributed to our Silver certification include drought-resistant landscaping; water-saving fixtures; daylight and occupancy sensors; low-VOC paints and materials; Energy Star appliances; and bike storage.

The Summer 2014 newsletter is now online

The Summer 2014 edition of Odyssey House News is now available! Read about our supportive housing openings, the latest art show, new grants, and more. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments or on our Facebook wall. If you'd like to receive a copy in the mail, please email your contact information to info(at)odysseyhouseinc.org.

Odyssey House opens second supportive housing program in the Bronx

More than 100 community leaders, government partners, Odyssey House board members, staff and supporters gathered in the Bronx on April 24th for the Tinton Avenue ribbon cutting ceremony. Tinton Avenue is our second supportive housing program to open in this month.

The event featured tenant-led tours of the buildings and speeches by Moira Tashjian of the NYS Office of Mental Health and Cynthia Stuart of the SupportiveHousing Network of New York. In addition, Adrienne F., a tenant, spoke of her experience being homeless and how having a home has improved her life:  “When you’re in a shelter, you’re not living – you’re merely existing. Now I have a chance at being more self-sufficient and reaching my goals. I can also think more clearly and take better care of myself.”

Photo caption: The architects, contractors, consultants, funders, and Odyssey House management team responsible for the Tinton Avenue development celebrate the official opening. From left, Nick Lettire, Lettire Construction; Joe Olive, Jr., Olive Branch Consulting; Caren Abate and James Lupoli, NYS Office of Mental Health; Tina Mitchell, Odyssey House project manager; Moira Tashjian and Budd Isaacson, NYS Office of Mental Health; Peter Provet, Ph.D., Odyssey House president and chief executive officer; Durga Vallabhaneni, Odyssey House chief financial and administrative officer; Kevin Hoffman, The Richman Group; Amy Larovere and Thomas Wong, A. Larovere Consulting; Akiko Kyei-Aboagye and David Hirsch, Urban Architectural Initiatives.

First green supportive housing building opens in the Bronx

Odyssey House officially opened its first green supportive housing building on Thursday, April 10th. Located on Soundview Avenue, the building provides permanent housing for 56 single, low income adults living with special needs. We'll be posting more photos and details after our second building, Tinton Avenue, opens on April 24th. In the meantime, check out this post by our friends at the Supportive Housing Network of New York and watch this clip from News 12 Bronx.

Photo caption: Odyssey House management and board members gather to cut the ribbon. Front row, John Tavolacci, EVP, chief operating officer; Annise Weaver, senior director of admissions & residential support services; Peter Provet, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer; Colleen Beagen, VP, director of human resources; Stephen Gross, Marianne Guschwann, M.D., and George Rosenfeld, Odyssey House Board of Trustees; Durga Vallabhaneni, SVP, chief financial and administrative officer. Back row, Janice Slaughter, director of mental health and housing services; Jeff Savoy, VP, director of clinical support services; Darrin Brown, senior director of correctional & residential youth programs; Whittaker Wright, program director, Soundview Avenue and Tinton Avenue; Isobelle Surface, SVP, director of communications; Justin Mitchell, VP, director of adult residential services.

Two new supportive housing programs are now open

Please join us to celebrate the openings of our new supportive housing buildings!

Odyssey House Soundview Avenue provides permanent supportive housing in the Bronx for 56 single, low-income adults living with special needs and is our first green building. Odyssey House Tinton Avenue provides permanent supportive housing in the Bronx for 65 single, low-income adults living with special needs. Tenants in both buildings have access to Odyssey House's comprehensive social services programs, including substance use and mental health treatment, community-based recovery networks, medical and dental care, and educational and vocational services.

Each building offers a number of amenities, including community rooms and residential lounges; a communal dining room; 24-hour security; on-site laundry and gym facilities; and a large, landscaped backyard to encourage tenant interaction and activities.

RSVP for the Soundview Avenue ribbon cutting.

RSVP for the Tinton Avenue ribbon cutting.

Learn more about our housing programs and our commitment to responsible neighboorhood development.

Celebrating “Women with a Vision”

Every March, Janice Glenn-Slaughter, director of community housing at Odyssey House, commemorates Women's History Month with a special event that is aimed at boosting self-esteem and encouraging female bonding. It's an important event here as many of the women in our programs are coping with low self-esteem and a history of domestic violence or sexual abuse.

“My goal is to give the women in our programs a day to celebrate their achievements,” Ms. Glenn-Slaughter said. “They have been through so much in their lives, and by looking back at the challenges they faced before coming into treatment, they are able to fully appreciate and be proud of their accomplishments.”

This year marks the fifth year Ms. Glenn-Slaughter has organized a women’s day event and the program included musical performances, two inspirational guest speakers from Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS) and poetry readings by tenants from our housing residences. Many of the speakers, such as Valerie F., regained custody of their children while in treatment and shared their stories of reunification. Valerie said, “At Odyssey House, I learned how to be accepting of myself and how to be a loving parent.”

At the end of the program, the "Woman of the Year" award was presented to Denise P., an Odyssey House alumna, for her dedication to her peers. After completing treatment at the MABON and Outpatient Services, Denise became one of the first mentees to enroll in OH ROCS. She is now president of the OH ROCS Council and continues to mentor others in early recovery. 

Denise P. (center) with Odyssey House housing staff.

The Winter 2013 newsletter is now available

The Winter 2013 edition of Odyssey House News is now available online! Read about our recovery month events, Hurricane Sandy volunteer efforts, board leadership changes and more. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments or on our Facebook wall. If you'd like to receive a copy in the mail, please email your contact information to info@odysseyhouseinc.org.

Odyssey House wins second supportive housing award

The New York State Office of Alcoholism & Substance AbuseServices (OASAS) has selected Odyssey House to receive $375,000 in annual funding to provide 15 two-bedroom units of permanent supportive housing.

The apartments will provide supportive housing to homeless families completing residential drug treatment, connect them with aftercare treatment for substance abuse and other essential supportive services, and help them work toward independent living. 

“Transitioning from residential treatment to independent living can be very difficult for our clients. This grant will enable our clients to secure safe, affordable housing without jeopardizing their recovery,” said Dr. Peter Provet, president of Odyssey House. 

Through the use of the OASAS “Two-Phase Approach” to program development, the apartments will initially be located in individual sites throughout Manhattan. The second phase will be to develop and build a single congregate site where all apartments can be located.

OASAS awarded Odyssey House a similar grant in January (pdf), increasing our housing capabilities for homeless families by 35 units this year.

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.

Ribbon cutting officially opens new supportive housing program

A ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday marked the official opening of Park Avenue, our new supportive housing program in East Harlem. More than 100 Odyssey House employees, supporters and community members attended the celebration, which featured speeches by Adolfo Carrion, Regional Administrator, US Department of Housing & Urban Development; Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet; and New York State Office of Mental Health officials Michael Newman (Director, Bureau of Housing Development & Support) and Caren Abate (Assistant Housing Director, NYC Field Office).

Mr. Carrion, a former Bronx borough president and a longtime proponent of supportive housing, thanked Odyssey House for "helping people live their lives in more productive ways," a sentiment echoed by Park Avenue tenant Jack C., who said the program has given him the opportunity to improve his life. Jack, who has struggled with depression and substance abuse for many years, called his new home his "oasis." He continued, "For the first time in a long time, I know better days are ahead and I'm optimistic for the future."

See earlier posts for more information about the program. Check out photos of the building and ribbon cutting ceremony on Flickr.

Park Avenue ribbon cutting: Wednesday, June 23rd

Odyssey House will officially open Park Avenue on Wednesday, June 23rd at 10 am. Adolfo Carrion, Regional Director, US Department of Housing & Urban Development, will be on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Open for occupancy since March, Park Avenue is a new 50-unit, single occupancy building for men and women with special needs. The building provides a supportive, independent living environment for individuals who have overcome many life challenges, including mental illness, drug and alcohol abuse, and homelessness. The tenants have all completed treatment for mental illness problems and are able, with minimal support, to live in community-based housing.

The building has a number of amenities designed to allow tenants to live independently, including a well-furnished gym, laundry room, multi-purpose meeting room, communal dining room, and lounges on each floor to encourage socialization. The landscaped backyard features an art installation by the Odyssey House Art Project, "Becoming Whole," which explores life's journey of discovery from infancy through adulthood.

The project was developed by Odyssey House with capital and operational funding from New York State Office of Mental Health and capital from low-income housing tax credits. The land was acquired from New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development through ULURP. The building was designed by Urban Architectural Initiatives and built by Rende Contracting Corporation.

Photos of the building, including the art installation, are available on Flickr. Read about the construction of the building here.

Supportive housing building opens in East Harlem

Construction on our 50-unit long-term housing development on 123rd Street - named Park Avenue - has finally been completed. The residence, which officially opened for occupancy on March 9th, will provide transitional housing to individuals diagnosed with mental illness. Odyssey House will provide supportive services for the residents, many of whom will be reintegrating into the community after a period of hospitalization.

Check out some of the photos of the building, which was designed by Urban Architectural Initiatives. We'll post more when the art installations and landscaping have been completed. Photos of the construction in progress can be seen here and here.

Park Avenue

Lobby

Kitchen (for special events)

Lounge

Typical residential floor

Unit kitchen

Photos from the SHNNY gala

Check out these photos from the Supportive Housing Network of New York (SHNNY) gala in which Odyssey House Haven was awarded the 2009 "Outstanding Residence of the Year."

(Photos courtesy of SHNNY)

Odyssey House President & CEO Peter Provet (right) accepting the 2009 "Outstanding Residence of the Year" award from SHNNY Executive Director Ted Houghton (left) and SHNNY Steering Committee Chair Carole Gordon (center).

Odyssey House Director of Community Housing Janice Glenn-Slaughter (far right) with her staff from the Haven.

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!

Supporting affordable housing

Residents and staff from the Haven and Harbor attended a press conference at city hall last week to support continued funding for affordable housing. New York State Assembly Member Vito Lopez used the press conference to announce an initiative to create an “Empire State Housing Investment Fund.” Lopez requested $500 million in capital funding to be allotted in the 2010-2011budget and will introduce a bill to create the fund.

“The Housing Investment Fund will provide a permanent stream to fund affordable housing units. This fund is critical due to its flexibility, income targeting, and ability to support the creation of local housing trust funds,” said Lopez.

Representatives from Odyssey House were joined by a variety of housing advocacy groups in calling for support of the bill, including Habitat for Humanity, Community Access, the Real Rent Reform Campaign, Make the Road New York, the Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness & Housing, and St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corporation.

Housing services are a critical part of the Odyssey House family of services. Affordable housing is key to reducing the costly societal impact of substance abuse and chronic homelessness. These extra resources go a long way in preventing individuals who have achieved a sustainable level of sobriety from losing the gains they made in treatment and ending up on the streets, in city shelters, or the criminal justice system.

Representatives from Odyssey House showed up to support the initiative.

Assembly Member Vito Lopez addressing the crowd.