Category: education

“Focus and persistence is a powerful tool”

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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.

Recovery GED graduateFrom 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.

Graduates look to the future

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Passing the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (the high school equivalency exam that replaced General Educational Development test in NYS) enables Odyssey House residents of any age to reach a higher platform of educational achievement and gain numerous personal, financial and social benefits. Today, Odyssey House held a graduation ceremony for 33 residents who earned their high school equivalency diplomas to celebrate their success.
Elyssa Gersen-Thurman, director of work readiness for HOPE Program, congratulated the graduates for their perseverance: “Prepping for this exam while actively engaged in the recovery process is an endeavor that requires dedication and stamina that would make most people give up.” Ms. Gersen-Thurman urged them to continue on with their education, reminding everyone that “learning does not have to take place in a classroom or school, or even cost money.”
April S., the graduate speaker from the Manor Family Center,  described how her education was derailed after a car accident in high school left her with traumatic brain injury and short-term memory loss, and unable to walk or talk for three months. After regaining her ability to walk and talk, April attempted to return to school but was beset with difficulties stemming from the accident. Now a mother of two, April used her time in treatment to get her degree and be a good role model for her children.

April (left) credits her support system, including friends like Cheryl (right), for encouraging her to work on her recovery and pursue a high school equivalency diploma.
“Last year I asked my daughter what she wanted to be when she grew up and she said, ‘I want to be just like you, Mommy.’” I knew then I had to go back to school and show my children that they can accomplish anything they want if they work hard and believe in themselves,” April said.

Odyssey House’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services, in partnership with the New York City Department of Education and Project Restart, provides on-site educational services available to all residential clients and administers the TASC four times a year.

The Spring 2012 newsletter is now available

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Odyssey House Newsletter Spring 2012

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 (pdf) and let us know what you think in the comments or on our Facebook page.

Breaking the cycle of violence

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Last month, in recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Odyssey House collaborated with the Center for Anti-Violence Education (CAE) to provide a series of workshops for more than 100 clients and staff. The workshops, held at the Manor and MABON, covered topics such as safety and prevention strategies, de-escalation of violence, conflict resolution exercises, group discussion, and self-awareness/self-care and healing exercises.

Providing education around alternatives to violence is essential in treatment programs as many clients have complex histories of trauma and abuse, and previously have had little opportunity to address them. Bringing CAE to Odyssey House presented an opportunity to do something fresh and new while providing essential information to help increase safety and control over certain behaviors.

The feedback from the participating clients was overwhelmingly positive and showed that the information resonated with them. Some specific comments include: “I will try to use words instead of fighting,” “I feel that I learned skills for a lifetime,” “I’ll be more aware of the role my reactions can have with regard to disputes or conflict,” and “It made me realize that fighting doesn’t resolve anything.”

Founded in 1974, CAE is a Brooklyn-based organization that develops and implements violence prevention programs for children, teens, women, LGBTQI individuals, people living with HIV/AIDS, people in recovery, survivors of domestic violence, and other at-risk communities.

THIRTEEN honors Odyssey House residents at GED graduation

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Eight Odyssey House residents participated in THIRTEEN’s annual GED graduation ceremony on June 22nd. More than 120 graduates from THIRTEEN’s GED adult education program were honored at the ceremony, which was held at the Scholastic Auditorium.


Speakers included Dr. Ellen Bergman, superintendent of Mt. Pleasant Blythedale Schools; NYC Councilmember Robert Jackson; Jann Coles from the NYC Department of Education; and Paul Kim from the Mayor’s Office of Adult Education.

THIRTEEN is a flagship station of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) for New York City offering unique cultural and educational programming, including GED Connection.