Professional Documents
Culture Documents
IT IS THE MISSION OF
ODYSSEY HOUSE:
1967-2007
BELIEVING IN CHANGE
By 1970, drug addiction among teenagers, and the attendant
death rate from overdose, begins to soar. In New York City alone,
an estimated 100,000 teens are addicted to heroin.
Odyssey House becomes the first program in
the country to treat this population.
Teenagers are especially vulnerable to drug abuse, abuse; they also confront the behavioral problems
and even casual experimentation can lead to addiction from which they have sought refuge in drugs and learn
to powerful substances. In New York and other cities, to live harmoniously as part of a community. Treating
youngsters are often exposed to illicit substances at boys and girls separately has proved to be especially
an early age. Many adolescent users have been effective in addressing many of the behavioral and
raised in a drug culture and come from homes shat- self-esteem issues with which many teens cope.
tered by drug abuse and the neglect and violence that
often accompany addiction. Addicts as young as 12 While residing at the Leadership Centers, teens follow
years old in Odyssey House programs have reported a New York City high school curriculum and are taught
using and selling drugs like crack cocaine and heroin. on-site by Board of Education licensed teachers. For
1967-2007
BELIEVING IN CHANGE
In 1967, heroin use reaches epidemic proportions in New York and Marijuana, though, is the drug of choice for this age many participants, the center provides their first
other U.S. cities, Odyssey House begins operating as a small resi- group, and studies show that teenagers are three opportunity to develop the discipline and focus
dential unit at Metropolitan Hospital in East Harlem. This innova- times more likely than adults to become dependent on required to succeed academically. Encouraging studies
tive program breaks new ground by treating substance abusers in marijuana. from the National Institute on Drug Abuse show that
the group setting of a therapeutic community. drug-abusing teens who participate in programs like
Odyssey House recognized the growing drug epidem- the Odyssey House Teen Leadership Center not only
ic among teenagers as early as 1969 and in that year successfully break their dependence on drugs and
opened a 35-bed facility for this age group. Today, alcohol, but also show a marked improvement in aca-
separate Teen Leadership Center facilities for boys demic performance. Odyssey House counselors further
The 1960s was a time of social upheaval. The antiwar component—the therapeutic community. In a 24/7 resi- and girls provide substance abuse treatment for close enhance the future prospects of these youngsters by
movement, civil rights, feminism, and gay rights all dential setting, treatment staff and men and women in to 80 teenagers in residential settings. Not only do helping them prepare for ongoing education and on-
came to the fore in this turbulent decade. So did exper- recovery formed a highly structured, peer-driven com- participants address their patterns of substance the-job training.
imentation with drugs. Smoking marijuana was part of munity that helped substance abusers re-establish the
the 1960s counterculture and a common feature of life emotional strength and acquire the skills to lead drug-
on college campuses. Soldiers often used drugs for the free lives.
first time during their tours of duty in Vietnam, and
some became addicted to “hard” drugs, especially Since these beginnings in (1967), Odyssey House has
heroin. Many brought their addictions home with been a leader in shaping the therapeutic community
them, and heroin became readily available in as a highly effective method for treating substance
American cities. abuse. In a range of innovative programs in ever-
expanding facilities, Odyssey House has enhanced
Odyssey House opened its doors in 1967, when hero- community living to include medical services, cultural
in was taking a firm and devastating grip on the lives and recreational activities, educational and vocational
of many New Yorkers. At a time when methadone ther- guidance, housing assistance, day care, and other pro-
apy was just about the only treatment available for grams to support the well-being of thousands of
heroin addiction, Odyssey House added an innovative clients.
To jump-start success in the real world, Odyssey are being reunited with their children after leaving its
House helps families make the transition from the programs have the opportunity to live in furnished
therapeutic community to independent living. Two apartments in one of several fully supervised transi-
innovative programs—Shelter Plus Care and the Family tional facilities around the city. Substance abuse edu-
Center of Excellence Re-Entry Program—help as many cation continues in these facilities, and counselors are
as 45 families at a time make this big move to inde- on hand to help residents master the basics of main-
pendence while still receiving many of the benefits of taining a healthy home, develop peer support net-
a therapeutic community. Families who have lived works, and in other ways set a firm foundation for
together at Odyssey House as well as parents who independent living.
Families living in Odyssey House residential programs are often undiagnosed and untreated. Good health
have access to a broad range of medical services. At practices are essential to an addict’s full recovery, so
1967-2007
BELIEVING IN CHANGE
well-equipped clinics, youngsters receive treatment for these clinics also conduct a variety of wellness pro-
Recognizing the devastating toll that substance abuse takes on conditions that otherwise may well have been over- grams that focus on such topics as smoking cessation,
young families. In 1973 Odyssey House launches Mothers and looked. Onsite primary care physicians, pediatricians, diabetes and asthma management, and safe sexual
Babies OFF Narcotics (MABON), the country’s first residential and nurses provide vaccinations, treat asthma, and practices.
treatment program for pregnant women and parents with their address other childhood health issues. Adults in all
young children. Odyssey House programs have access to the same Odyssey House residents also have access to an
excellent medical attention. After a complete examina- onsite dentistry clinic where they can get treatment for
tion upon entering a program, residents can receive often-overlooked dental problems and develop good
treatment for diabetes, hepatitis B and C, HIV, sexual- oral hygiene habits.
ly transmitted diseases, tuberculosis, and depression
Depression and other mental disorders, low-self and seeking the treatment they need. Pregnant and other mental health disorders—all ailments that
esteem, and a lack of education and skills often lead women and parents of children 5 years of age and commonly accompany substance abuse addiction but
adults to drugs and undermine their efforts to care for younger reside together in parent/child units from 12
themselves and their children. As a result, youngsters to 24 months.
in such families are often the innocent victims of drug
abuse. With one or both parents lost to drugs, they are The treatment facilities provide the first stable home
often virtually orphans, and a string of foster care environments many of the young residents have ever
homes once was the only option for providing them known. They take part in onsite, licensed daycare and
with care. preschool programs, have access to pediatric clinics
and other medical care, and enjoy playgrounds and
In 1973, Odyssey House began providing an innova- leisure activities. Their parents participate in Odyssey
tive alternative to this pattern of drugs and despair, a House substance abuse treatment programs that help
program called MABON that allowed drug-addicted them address the problems that have led them to
parents and their children to stay together while help- drugs and prevented them from providing healthy
ing break the cycle of drug abuse and strengthening homes for their children. Medical care and health edu-
the family unit. cation, parenting skills training, educational and voca-
tional counseling, and job training are also part of the
Odyssey House has been committed to building treatment regimen, ensuring that these parents will be
stronger families ever since. Today, more than 200 able to care for themselves and their children in nurtur-
parents and their children live in Odyssey House ing, drug-free environments.
Family Centers of Excellence. Mothers and fathers do
not need to choose between caring for their children
1967-2007
BELIEVING IN CHANGE
bipolar disorder, and other chronic mental conditions, Odyssey
House opens Odyssey House Harbor.
Meeting the increased needs of older Americans for treatment
services, Odyssey House opens the country’s first
publicly-funded ElderCare program.
Men and women suffering from mental illness are preparing themselves to take control of their lives and
especially prone to substance abuse. The effects of re-enter the community.
addiction combined with the challenges of chronic men-
tal conditions can be devastating, isolating these men When the time comes, Odyssey House helps these
and women from family, making it almost impossible men and women make the difficult transition into per-
for them to lead productive lives in the community, and manent housing. Residents in treatment attend a
often rendering them homeless. At Odyssey House Wellness Self Management Techniques Workshop that
Harbor in East Harlem, specialists enhance treatment teaches such real-life skills as budgeting, making rent
in a therapeutic residential community with intensive payments on time, and grocery shopping. Once partic-
mental health services and coaching in life skills rang- ipants have successfully completed the workshop, a
ing from personal hygiene to financial management. placement specialist helps them find affordable hous-
Up to 60 residents, most referred from city and state ing, accompanies them on interviews with landlords,
psychiatric facilities, partake in supervised community and helps negotiate rental contracts. In this way,
living plus group therapy, work assignments, and Odyssey House helps break the cycle of relapse and
vocational counseling and job training—all part of homelessness.
1967-2007
BELIEVING IN CHANGE
By the mid-1980s, New York City is in the grips of an epidemic of
crack cocaine use. Odyssey House expands its programs to treat a
growing number of addicts.
As baby boomers, many of whom experimented with At any one time, as many as 70 men and women take
drugs in the 1960s and 1970s, head towards late mid-part in Odyssey House’s ElderCare residential
dle age and their senior years, the number of older treatment program, and others attend a community-
Americans with substance addictions is growing dra- based extension as outpatients. Residential and out-
matically. The federal Substance Abuse and Mental patient programs alike provide comprehensive servic-
As the use of crack cocaine skyrocketed in New York their special needs through its MABON program. The Health Services Administration estimated 1.7 milliones to help break their dependence on illicit and pre-
and other cities in the 1980s and 90s, demand for demand for this innovative approach to family treat- Americans over the age of 50 are addicted and predict
scription drugs and alcohol. Participants engage in
Odyssey House treatment services grew. With its ment, in place since 1973, expanded greatly in the this population will to grow to 4.4 million by 2020.group sessions, seminars, and other therapeutic
experience and expertise in treating substance 1980s as the number of women using crack and other activities, and are encouraged to involve family mem-
abusers, Odyssey House was well equipped to meet illicit substances climbed into the hundreds of thou- As the number of older people with addiction prob- bers in the treatment process. These men and women
the challenges of this new epidemic. Service expan- sands and as many as 10,000 babies were born to lems increase, so does the demand for treatment. benefit from sharing their experiences with peers who
sions included a new, 333-bed facility in East Harlem substance-addicted mothers in New York City each Odyssey House’s ElderCare program focuses on the have common backgrounds and experiences, as well
that extended Odyssey House treatment to growing year. Many of these infants suffered with health prob- special needs of this populations whose numbers are as a desire to lead a drug-free life.
numbers of adult substance abusers and addicted par- lems stemming from malnutrition, neglect, and a lack of increasing by as much as 20 percent a year.
ents with children. prenatal care, and MABON was one of only a few pro-
grams in New York City equipped to provide the treat-
Women are especially vulnerable to crack, and ment and special attention they required.
Odyssey House was in a unique position to address
1967-2007
BELIEVING IN CHANGE
Addressing the link between chronic drug abuse and homeless- Odyssey House continues to provide new approaches other fitness activities part of their recovery regimen.
ness, Odyssey House offers housing and support services to to help men and women break away from drug abuse Residents are also encouraged to take advantage of
homeless men and women with offers special needs. and lead healthy, drug-free lives. Many of these Odyssey House creative arts programs, in which
programs address total wellness, recognizing that participants express themselves through painting,
creative expression and psychological and physical sculpture, and other artistic endeavors; many of the
well-being are key factors in a full recovery from works are exhibited in the annual Odyssey House Art
substance abuse. Project. Changing exhibits of artworks—by both
professional artists and participants in Odyssey
Many men and women have been reduced to a life on Maintaining a healthy home is the number one priority Addressing the fact that substance abuse is often House programs—fill the Odyssey House Haven Art
the streets because untreated addictions have caused for residents starting out on their own after completion accompanied by smoking, Odyssey House has Gallery. The gallery is a celebration of the treatment
them to lose homes, families, and jobs. Homeless drug of an intensive treatment experience. But launched a Case Management Smoking Cessation and recovery process: creating art is highly
abusers typically present complex challenges: their the hurdles in finding affordable new homes in Program that offers individual and group counseling, therapeutic for Odyssey House residents, and having
substance abuse can be compounded by medical con- a safe neighborhood can be overwhelming for many nicotine-replacement therapy, and education concerning their work exhibited in a public setting is a great
ditions, both physical and mental. residents. the physical, psychological, and social aspects of source of pride.
tobacco.
Odyssey House offers a continuum of care that assists To help them overcome these barriers, Odyssey House
people in recovery as they transition back into the offers a range of housing services including: the Participants in all Odyssey House Programs have
community. Ongoing supportive services, such as Odyssey House Haven, a 63-unit apartment building in access to fitness equipment and are encouraged to
housing, employment and legal assistance, begin East Harlem that provides permanent, independent make walking, running, yoga, weight training, and
before a resident leaves residential treatment and are housing to formerly homeless men and women with
continued in outpatient services. mental and physical disabilities, supervised housing
for families re-entering society, and housing assis-
tance for formerly homeless persons enrolled in our
programs.
JEFFREY SAVOY
Vice President Charina Foundation, Inc. Teachers Ins. & Annuity Assoc. Marion & Stephen Elbaum Linda & Stephen Kristian Kate Rothko
Director of Clinical Support CHASE The Glickenhaus Foundation Chikezie Eleasz Arthur Landy John Rotrosen
City Arts, Inc. The Grads Foundation David Ellenhorn Curtis Langdon Sheri Salata
Services Coffee Distributing Corp. United Way of New York Susan Ellershaw-Gottesman Mary Lasser Gerry Salazar
GIFTS OF MORE THAN $100,000 Columbia University Urban Architectural Iniatives Kianga Ellis Peter Lasser Mark Samitt
Costco Enterprises Warren Elevator Service Co. Mary Emmanuel Susan Lee Benjamin & Shirley Sanders
Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Cypress Motors Of Ridgewood Washburn Gallery Lindsay & Clay Enos Jason Liebowitz Harvey & Joyce Savoy
Foundation Daytop Village Foundation, Inc. Thomas, Inc. John & Diana Engel Suzanne Lemakis Moses Sawhney
Rosenback Foundation Deutsche Bank Weather Wise Conditioning Corp. Janice M. Fetsch Nicholas Lettire Irving Schiffman
Tiger Foundation Derle Farms Wedgwood-Crane & Connolly Beatrice Fiedorowicz Ellen Lieb Edward & Alice Schreier
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Weeks-Lerman Group, LLC Frank Fiorello Jane Lipscomb Murray & Kim Schwartz
GIFTS OF $50,001 - $100,000 Driscoll Foods Williams American Art Galleries James & Joyce Fischer Ann Livet William H. Schaap
Duso Food Distributors Kate Fitzsimmons Vincent Longo Craig Sedmak
Elizabeth & Barets O. Easy Does It Home Improvement INDIVIDUAL SUPPORT Scot & Anne Flamm Jon Losquadro Jane Shallat
Benjamin Charitable Ferrari Driving School Edward Flinn Mort & Eleanor Lowenthal Steve Shane
Foundation Fordham Supply Co. Michelle Abbey Thomas & Elizabeth Fox Jack Lucid Jody Silva
Daniel & Florence Guggenheim Freeman/Frazier & Assoc., Inc. Rona Affoumado James Frey Robert Lueder David Silver
Foundation Galaxy Office Products Mark Amir Robert & Jane Friedman Ed & Carrie May Heidi Silverberg
Garfunkel, Wild & Travis, P.C. Spiros Anthulis Eboni Gates Helen Mazzio Randy Slifka
GIFTS OF $10,001 - $50,000 Glickenhaus Foundation Thomas Armstrong Terry Gedan Richard McCune Courtney Smith
Healthpoint Judy Auchincloss William Gibson Beatriz Mcdougal Jeffrey Smith
BEA Foundation Heidi-Co Vending, Inc. Jeff Baer Howard Goldman Andrew Mclaren Michael Steven Smith
Heckscher Foundation Hellman Construction Naomi Baigell Daniel & Sally Goldreyer Patricia Mclaud Ren Smith
for Children James A. Macdonald Foundation Melissa Beach Roberta Goodman David & Anne McQueen Sher Sparano
J.P. Morgan Chase Foundation Jayen Chemicals Michael Beachy Kent O. Goodwin Eugene Mercy, Jr. Armory Spizziri
UPS Foundation Jazzbo Incorporated Aldean Beaumont Charles J. Graber Glenn D. Miller Bill Stahl
Verizon Foundation John Todd Kevin Bell Richard Guarnaccia Rodney Miller Keith Starlin
Joseph Weinstein Electric Corp. Roger Belz Helen Dela Gueronniere Carole Mitchell Gary & Sissy Stein
GIFTS OF $5,000 - $10,000 King Solomon Food Steven & Alicia Bernstein Agens Gund Tracey Mitchell Marcy M. Stein
Laurence Werfel Associates Kim R. Berry Michael & Susan Haubenstock Panagiotis Mitropoulis Louise Steinfirst
American Chai Trust Lettire Construction Corp. Bernard Black Peter Henrici Alen Moghaddam Stephen Stoyanov
B.J.K., Inc. Liffey Van Lines, Inc. Kathryn Braine Alison Hill Jeanne Morris Meredith & Joseph Strauss
Baird Family Fund Lower Eastside Service Center, Inc. Robert Braine David & Barbara Hirsch John C. Mountain Christopher Strickland
Barker Welfare Foundation Madison Service Corp. William Braine Joseph Hobaica Iris Mule Frank Anthony Tata, Jr.
Gannett Foundation Managed Health Care Joan Brown Michael Holbert Ralph Nemec Jose L. Tavarez
James N. Jarvie Commonweal Associates, Inc. Peter Buchman Sabrina Holmes Lydwin Nomez Frank Tavolacci
Overbrook Foundation Mary Ellen Monen Callahan Christine Burgin Steven Horn Obiageli Obidi Martha Taylor
Rosie's For All Kids Foundation Foundation Susan Caldwell Scott Houdek Eileen O'Connor Ross Taylor
TIAA-CREF Milvia Foods Paul Camara Timothy & Kimberly Hutfilz Timothy O'Connor Susan Thorsen
Mormax Company Scott Campbell Valerie Lyons Marya Oja Kevin Tierney
GIFTS UP TO $5,000 MPPI Insurance Services Vinny Cannariato John Mahder Jennifer O'Sullivan Kathllen & Vincent Trantolo
Murray & Bernard Schuss Alan & Linda Capilupi Yvette Maiello Angelica Otero Jan Tromp
291 Digital Llc Memorial Foundation, Inc. E.A. Carmean Lawrence Males Rodman W. Paul Dean Valentine
30th Avenue Palace Food Corp. NDRI Coley Cassidy Alexis Martin Edward Pertcheck Zack Vogel
A.Landscaping & Sign/D.Abraham New York University Grace Chao Peter & Patricia Martin Daniel Perunko Kevin Wadalavage
Abbott Laboratories Outreach Development Yolanda Charles Ellen Kheel & Arnold Jacobs Frederick Peters Beth Wassarman
Adden Furniture Corporation Oscar Chase Andrew Jalooza Dominick Petrosino Anne Watt
AETNA Owenoke Foundation Stephen Chase Philip Jelley Yolanda Plaza Ralph & Jennifer Watts
Anda Inc. Palladia, Inc. Kathy A. Chazen Todd Jennings Mark Price Judy Weisman
Apple Custom Table Pads, Inc. Phoenix House Foundation, Inc. Alexander Christensen Gregory Johnson John Provet Frank Weisser
B.A.S.I.C.S. Posicare, Inc. Laura Clements Mildred Johnson Kristina M. Quilkin Randall B. Whitestone
Barnes & Noble Pumpkin Foundation Adina Cohen Jennie Jones Danrajh and Senita Rambrich Christopher Wilkins
Bayard Advertising Agency Raskin Carpets Penelope A. Collins Ralph Kagle John Randall Pat Wittenstein
Bell Medical Services, Inc. Reckitt Benckiser Jack Connolly Beth Kaplan-Cohen Susan & Donald Reed Floyd & Paula Wittlin
Bellco Drug Corp. Rockland Bakery Roger Cope Kalen L. Karnes Elliot Reichman Sanford & Rella Wurmfeld Ronald
Belmont Arthur Avenue LDC Rotary Supply Corp. Dan Cornwell Robert & Ann Karofsky Diane Reinbolt J. Yoo
Bert N. Mitchell Family R.S.M. McGladrey, Inc. Constance Cowen Aleida Keevid Arthur Reiter
Foundation Samaritan Village, Inc. Colin Cumberbatch Robert Keller Ava Reynolds
Bollinger SOHO West Gallery Patrick & Anna Diffley Anne Kennedy Brian Rigney
Boston Clinton, LLC Solon E. Summerfield Foundation Marianne Ditommaso Martha Kennedy John Ripley
Bristol Myers Squibb Sols Pharmacy Rich Dunphy Emily Mason Khan Michelle & Jose Rivera
Buon Appetit Deli Inc. Super Runners Shop, Inc. Roman & Eleanor Dworecki Patrick & Jane Kinney Sandra Roche
Canon Business Solutions Survey Data Security Corp. Deborah Egel J. Kirschenfeld Joanne C. Rogers
Celtic General Contractors Tasty Enterprises Jeffrey Einhorn Evan Kornrich, Esq. David Rosa