History

Several years ago, a group of citizens in the Upper Valley came together in response to the lack of services available for women in our community who exhibit high-risk use of drugs and alcohol. This Willow Grove Committee, which oversees the governance of the program has written all of the policies and procedures (from admission through discharge) for the facility. (Two part-time House Facilitators manage Willow Grove and the house is monitored 24 hours a day by a Senior Resident who in addition to being a long term resident of WG, also demonstrates a lengthy and strong commitment to her sobriety, and the willingness to share her experience, strength, and hope with newcomers.) The admissions procedure begins with each potential resident assessed by an outside clinician prior to admission and will be given a list (care plan) of recommended services that she will be required to follow up on while in residence at Willow Grove. A Case Manager will monitor each woman’s progress with her care plan, while also overseeing the management of the household.

A Defined Need

Addiction is a disease. With a strong foundation in recovery this disease can be treated, however there is a segment of the population that without transitional housing might never gain the stability required to successfully obtain quality sobriety. For a number of complex reasons - including parenting, lower incomes, domestic violence, societal stigma, to name a few - it is clear that a particularly vulnerable population is women in early recovery. There is a level of care that simply does not exist in the Upper Valley area - one that falls between detoxification/residential treatment centers and outpatient counseling/self-help groups. There is a great need for safe, supportive and substance-free transitional housing for women who are struggling to regain their lives. Housing is an issue that can often make or break a woman's efforts towards sobriety. In addition, it is well supported in addictions literature that women with substance abuse and other addictive behaviors need particular areas addressed in order to heal mind, body and spirit, and to maintain long-term recovery. These may include issues related to relationships with children, families and significant others, domestic violence, loss of homes or jobs, histories of sexual abuse and other trauma, eating disorders and other self-injurious behaviors, parenting issues, and societal stigma. These issues overlap with, but are qualitatively different from the ones men grapple with in their recovery process.