Category: Odyssey House news

First green supportive housing building opens in the Bronx

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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.

 

The Fall 2013 Newsletter is now available!

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The Fall 2013 edition of Odyssey House News is now available! Read about our recovery month events, how our corporate partners are supporting recovery, and more. Click here to read it (pdf). 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)odysseyhousenyc.org.

Run for Your Life celebrates recovery for eighth consecutive year

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More than 1,000 people came out to Icahn Stadium on September 28th to show their support for men and women in treatment for substance use and mental health disorders at the 8th Annual Run for Your Life 5K Run & Recovery Walk. WPIX reporter Jay Dow emceed the event, which also featured fitness competitions, zumba lessons, children’s races and activities, and the presentation of the CASAC of the Year Award to Milton Slaughter, coordinator of residential admissions at Odyssey House.

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, though unable to attend, sent a message of support: “For nearly 50 years, Odyssey House has provided invaluable support to those suffering from mental illness, substance abuse disorders, and HIV/AIDS by providing therapy and health services, housing, vocational training, and more. As people from across the five boroughs come together to recognize National Recovery Month, we applaud Odyssey House and all those associated with it for their unwavering dedication to individuals and families in need, and together, we look forward to building a stronger, healthier future for us all.”

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!


Odyssey House employee named CASAC of the Year

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The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) has named Milton Slaughter, coordinator of residential admissions at Odyssey House, CASAC (Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor) of the Year.

 

As coordinator of residential admissions, Mr. Slaughter conducts intake interviews, new patient orientations and comprehensive psychosocial assessments. He often engages in intensive case management activities, gathering information from and following up with a range of collateral service providers both during and after intake, and assures that patients’ needs are addressed through well-coordinated, multi-disciplinary interventions.

 

Mr. Slaughter first entered Odyssey House as a client in 1992. He took full advantage of his time at the Leadership Center, earning his GED and participating in vocational training programs. Two years after completing treatment, Mr. Slaughter returned as an employee, working his way up from a food service worker at the Harbor and counselor at the Leadership Center to progressively responsible positions in the Admissions department. In 2005, he received his CASAC.

Each September in observance of National Recovery Month, OASAS acknowledges addictions professionals across New York State who provide exceptional services ranging from chemical dependence prevention, treatment and recovery, to problem gambling services for persons and communities in need. This marks the fourth consecutive, and sixth overall, Addictions Professional Award given to an Odyssey House employee.

Our 2012 Annual Report is now available

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Commitment to a Cause

Helping people with substance use disorders and mental health challenges rebuild their lives requires a special kind of commitment. It’s a commitment that demands resiliency, gives hope, rewards effort, and embraces challenges. It’s the kind of commitment that puts people first and expects the best from everyone.

By setting a standard of commitment, OdysseyHouse has created a culture of achievement and expertise that stimulates personal growth and encourages resourcefulness. This year’s annual report explores how Odyssey House is maintaining high treatment standards – built on evidence-based practices and decades of clinical experience – in the face of a changing environment.

The Winter 2013 newsletter is now available

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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@odysseyhousenyc.org.

Odyssey House wins second supportive housing award

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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.

Odyssey House social worker honored by New York State

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Cailin McGreevy (left) with OASAS Commissioner Gonzalez-Sanchez and Odyssey House President Dr. Peter Provet.

New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance AbuseServices (OASAS) named Odyssey House clinical supervisor Cailin McGreevy “Social Worker of the Year” at the 2012 Addictions Professionals’ Awards. The awards are given to individuals whose work reflects the highest level of professionalism and dedication, and whose “compassion and commitment to the addiction field offers hope for long-term recovery to countless individuals and their families.”
Accepting the award, Ms. McGreevy said, “I am both pleased and honored to have been named “Social Worker of the Year. I want to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at Odyssey House for creating a positive and supportive work environment.  I truly feel that this award is an acknowledgment of Odyssey House’s comprehensive programs and their dedication to providing cutting-edge treatment services.”
Ms. McGreevy has been working with pregnant and postpartum women in the Healthy Mothers Healthy Families program since joining Odyssey House in 2010. She has more than 15 years of experience as a social worker, working primarily with homeless youth and single mothers with substance use disorders.

Our 2011 Annual Report is now available

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Life Changing Recovery


Odyssey House recognizes that recovery is a process and that while it is different for every individual, the goals are the same: abstinence from addictive substances, improved health and wellness, independence and engagement in family and community life. 
In our 2011 annual report we look at how our programs and services prepare people to embrace health, create a home, find purpose, and foster community.