Healing Transitions is raising $10M to build recovery-oriented housing on its Women’s Campus to help women move forward in sustained recovery. This new rental housing is an innovative solution to addressing critical housing needs among alumnae and the unique challenges of women in recovery.

Research shows that recovery residences that support individuals by providing a safe living environment and a readily available community of recovery-related social support are associated with better outcomes, including substantially better abstinence rates, higher income, and greater rates of employment.[1] In Wake County, a successful model for recovery housing exists at Job’s Journey, a partnership with Passage Home, that offers Healing Transitions alumni affordable apartment-style housing with a shared recovery culture. However, space is limited, is only for single adults, and is located far from the Women’s Campus.

[1] National Council for Behavioral Health, Recovery Housing Issue Brief

Women face unique stressors and barriers to maintaining their recovery, especially single mothers reuniting with their children. As alumnae strive to build financial and emotional stability and establish healthy relationships with peers and partners, they are more successful when supported by others in recovery. Their children are more likely to find supportive relationships among families living in recovery where they experience camaraderie, accountability, and access to resources.

The significant housing affordability crisis in Wake County means women have few options for safe apartment-style housing, especially moms reuniting with their children. Housing environments with support systems for recovery are difficult to find. Healing Transitions recovery housing for women will not solve the affordable housing problem in Wake County. However, new housing that specifically supports women in recovery on existing Healing Transitions property will offer women an affordable start to sustaining long-term recovery. In addition, the alumnae will be role models for participants in the residential recovery program, demonstrating life in sustained recovery and offering hope.

In the new housing, alumnae will live among peers in recovery with the support and guidance that are hallmarks of the Healing Transitions peer-to-peer model. Women will live in small groups or with their children in two- or four-bedroom apartments. Each apartment has a kitchen where women will prepare their own meals. Affordable rents will help alumnae build savings to support their independent, productive lives in recovery.

In the 70-seat assembly room and 20-seat classroom, Healing Transitions will offer new onsite programs based on the needs of women in this stage of recovery. Examples may include employment skills training, tutoring for children, and support for early recovery. Healing Transitions will work with its wide network of existing partners such as Wheels4Hope and The Green Chair Project and also develop new partnerships to link women to community resources for establishing independence, strengthening families, and increasing employment opportunities.

In common areas such as the laundry room and the courtyard, women in recovery will have opportunities for informal interactions with each other and with staff, all of whom guide and support recovery.

The new 30,000 square-foot building has 16 two- and four-bedroom apartments, common areas to include laundry and community rooms, and meeting and mentoring spaces for new programming to support women in recovery as they rebuild their lives. An expanded courtyard designed by noted American painter and sculptor, Thomas Sayre, will offer gathering and cooking spaces, a playground for children, and gardens for vegetables and flowers for use by all women on campus to see, feel, and experience the joy of recovery. The campaign also includes fundraising for expanded operations, including staffing needs and program expenses, and is inclusive of professional services and contingencies necessary for a building campaign.

Healing Transitions will establish affordable rental rates based on the person’s income and the size of the apartment. The goal is for each alumna to pay no more than 30% of her income on rent, allowing her to also establish a savings account that prepares her for greater self-sufficiency. These rental revenues will cover utilities, maintenance, and staffing for the new facility. Co-location on the same campus of Healing Transitions’ residential recovery program helps keep operational costs low with shared property maintenance, use of existing egress, and other economies of scale. Healing Transitions’ Board is currently developing a pro-forma budget for projected revenues and expenses, using comparable data from existing recovery housing such as Job’s Journey, expenses for Healing Transitions’ other campus facilities, and standard housing affordability thresholds for the Raleigh area.

Annual fundraising for operations supports the residential recovery program: long-term recovery, overnight shelter, non-medical detox, and other recovery support services. Healing Transitions has provided these services at no cost to more than 7,650 women since the Women’s Campus opened in 2006 with 88 beds. Healing Transitions is increasing capacity at its Women’s Campus to 210 beds, as a result of the recently concluded Recovery Can’t Wait capital campaign to expand the Women’s Campus and program. This incredible community-led accomplishment means more women are in recovery, and more alumnae are seeking housing that helps sustain life in recovery. Forward Together creates the opportunity for alumnae to live among peers in recovery, with the support and guidance that are hallmarks of the Healing Transitions peer-to-peer model.

You can make a financial gift to the campaign through options that best suit your means and interests. Please also help tell others about this opportunity to help women sustain recovery.

Gifts and pledges can be made by completing this Campaign Commitment Form and returning it by email to our campaign coordinator, Deborah Thompson. Payments can be made by: check, credit or debit card, electronic funds transfer (direct debit/online check), stock/securities, IRA rollover (Qualified Charitable Distribution), and donor-advised funds. Pledges can be made over several tax years, allowing donors an opportunity to stretch and spread their support over the upcoming years. If you are interested in learning how to designate Healing Transitions in your estate plans, please contact us directly using the contact information below.

Yes, your donation is tax deductible! Healing Transitions is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The Tax ID/EIN number is # 56-2135246. Gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-888-830-4989. The license is not an endorsement by the State of North Carolina.

The Healing Transitions Board of Directors is pleased to offer recognition options to donors at the $10,000 level and above. The Healing Transitions campaign team can provide more details.

Please contact Chris Budnick, Executive Director, at cbudnick@healing-transitions.org or 919-427-5373 or contact Deborah Thompson, Campaign Coordinator, at dthompson@mossandross.com or 919-448-1028.