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.

Marathon runners race for recovery

On Sunday, nearly 40 Odyssey House clients, graduates, staff members and volunteers participated in one of the country's most grueling athletic competitions - the New York City Marathon. Everyone on the Odyssey House team completed the marathon, finishing between 3:27 - 6:35 hours. Running for Odyssey House for the first time were Karen and Kevin Fittinghoff, who raised more than $4,000 for our running program. The Odyssey House team received extra encouragement at the Mile 19 aid station, where staff and supporters have gathered for the last several years to hand out water and cheer on our team.

Karen and Kevin Fittinghoff and their daughter joined the Odyssey House marathon team for a pasta lunch the day before the marathon. From left, recreational coordinator Andre Matthews, Dylan Tavolacci, chief operating officer John Tavolacci, and the Fittinghoff family.

Meet us at mile 19!

Join us at mile 19 to hand out water to the marathon runners and cheer on the Odyssey House Marathon Team! This year, we have 40 runners – including clients, graduates, staff and volunteers – who need your support. The water station is located between 115th-116th Streets & 1st Ave. You can catch the Odyssey House team running by between 1-4 pm.If you can't make it but would like to support the team, please click here to make a donation.

Run for Your Life celebrates recovery for sixth consecutive year

More than 1,000 people came out to Icahn Stadium on September 24th to show their support for men and women in treatment for substance use and mental health disorders at the 6th Annual Run for Your Life 5K Run & Recovery Walk. WPIX reporter Kirstin Cole emceed the event, which also featured a performance by the MABON Voices, children’s races and activities, and the presentation of the CASAC of the Year Award to Andre Matthews, recreational services coordinator at Odyssey House.



NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, though unable to attend, sent a message of support:“Thanks to the hard work and dedication of professionals across fields, more of our residents are getting tested, getting treated, and getting their lives back on track. That is why we are proud to applaud Odyssey House, which, for more than 40 years, has provided invaluable support and services to the New Yorkers who need them most.”

Visit our website to see more photos from Run for Your Life, and to get a glimpse of what the day was like, check out this video on our YouTube Channel.

Participants included clients from other NYC-based treatment agencies, friends and family of people in recovery, as well as representatives from the Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and our corporate partners. Thank you to everyone for making Run for Your Life such a successful event!

Support recovery in NYC

Join us tomorrow, Saturday, September 24th for our 6th Annual Run for Your Life 5K Run & Recovery Walk. We'll be there rain or shine - don't let a little rain keep you from supporting recovery!

Online registration is now closed but you can register in person starting at 8 am. See you there!