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The GateHouse Turns 50: a Spotlight on GateHouse Founding Member, Jere Stabley

This year, The GateHouse is celebrating its 50th year of offering people a meaningful path to recovery. As part of this celebration, we want to spotlight prominent community members who have played an integral part in making The Gatehouse what it is today.

Jere Stabley, one of the original founding members of The GateHouse, was one of the key players whose hard work and dedication helped lay the foundation for what The GateHouse is today.

The GateHouse Had Humble Beginnings

Now a staple in the Eastern Pennsylvania recovery community, the GateHouse had modest beginnings. It began in 1971 when a group of friends recognized the need for a halfway house in Lancaster. Before The GateHouse, the area didn’t have a place for people to go after rehab where they could receive support as they rebuilt their life in sobriety.

Jere Stabley – now 95 years old and 53 years sober – was part of that group of friends. He met many of his fellow GateHouse co-founders when he arrived at Alcoholics Anonymous in 1969.

In reflecting on the start of the program, he recalls how “there were no facilities in Lancaster for detox. We had individuals coming from all different programs, but nowhere to go after getting sober.” And thus, the idea for The GateHouse was born.

He said he remembers searching for the perfect place for the new halfway house like it was yesterday. The team initially looked at some properties south of Lancaster, but the streets were too busy and too noisy. That’s when they landed on a house in Lititz, PA.

Funding for the house initially came from the Lancaster County Office of the National Council on Alcoholism, but much of the initial handy work was done by Jere Stabley and other founding members.

“The house needed a lot of work,” Jere said. “It needed to be cleaned, painted, and the floors had to be redone.”

The group would go on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings and all-day Saturday for about five months until the house was complete.

“It was good therapy for all of us to work together,” Jere said. “It felt good to give something back to the community after taking so much.”

The First Years Were A Community Effort

The GateHouse admitted its first official resident in December 1972. Much like its founding, the first years were a community effort. Jere Stabley recalls the founding members taking turns serving as program director on the weekends.

“It was our responsibility to make sure everyone had something to eat, get to know them, and be a good listener,” Jere said. “We’d often take people to appointments, interviews, or to run errands in our own private vehicles.”

During this time, weekly Alcoholics Anonymous meetings were also established at The GateHouse.

The guiding principle for these beginning years was simply to provide a space for those in recovery to get together and converse.

“We wanted The GateHouse to be somewhere people could take it one day at a time,” Jere said.

He said anyone was welcome; the only rule was that you had to leave if you picked up any drugs or alcohol. Jere emphasized the importance of encouraging others to “not take that first drink.” He envisioned TGH as a place where individuals could meaningfully rebuild their lives.

The GateHouse: 1978 and Onward

For a brief moment, The GateHouse shut down in April 1978 due to competition from other halfway houses in nearby counties. This was quickly rectified, however, when the Halfway Environment for Alcoholics Recovering (H.E.A.R Inc.) was created.

In March 1979, The GateHouse reopened under H.E.A.R. Inc. and admitted its first resident. The GateHouse continued to grow by opening The GateHouse for Women and establishing an outpatient program.

Even as The GateHouse continues to expand its robust programming, it maintains the simple, yet profound values of its founding members: to provide community and support for individuals in recovery. As Jere reiterates, “It’s all about taking it one day at a time. Without Alcoholics Anonymous and The GateHouse, I wouldn’t be here.”

The community remains the bedrock of The GateHouse to this day, and its continued legacy of offering people a path to recovery remains as important as ever.

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The GateHouse is Central Pennsylvania’s leader in accredited addiction recovery care, recognizing the unique challenges individuals face on their journey to recovery. For 50 years, we have helped individuals in our community restore their lives and rediscover the strength of the human spirit.

We provide each client with a support system that helps them break the cycle of substance abuse disorder and put them on the path to recovery. The GateHouse is here for you, whether you need outpatient support, transitional living conditions, or residential treatment programs. Reach out to us today!

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The GateHouse Turns 50: an Anniversary Story with Denyse Glover

As The GateHouse celebrates its 50th year of offering people a meaningful path to recovery, we’re highlighting the experiences of a few of our alums and sharing some of their stories.

This month, we’re featuring Denyse Glover, a former resident at The GateHouse who’s celebrating 20 years of recovery.

Denyse Glover Arrived at The GateHouse at a Crucial Turning Point 

After being clean for 14 years, Denyse relapsed and found herself at The GateHouse for women. She came determined to do things differently this time.  

“I didn’t want to go 14 years again and use,” Denyse said. “I felt like I owed that to myself.” 

Today, Denyse is very open about the fact that her time at The GateHouse wasn’t always easy.

 “I think that had to do a lot with my steel rebellion,” she said.  “Up until that point, it was difficult for me to cope with life’s ups and downs. I couldn’t handle my emotions and believed I was going to die if I felt some of the things I needed to feel.” 

She also wasn’t entirely sold on attending AA and NA meetings — staples of The GateHouse’s 12-step recovery program — and it was initially difficult for her to relate to the experiences being shared by others in her group. 

“I wasn’t the nicest client at first,” she said with a chuckle.

A GateHouse Counselor Helped Bring Her Wall Down

Despite her rocky start, Denyse slowly began to accept The GateHouse community. She credits one person, in particular, with helping her get past her early resistance — her GateHouse counselor. 

Not that it was always smooth sailing. As a black woman, Denyse was initially suspicious of her counselor, who was white. But with time, this hesitancy faded. As it became clear how deeply her counselor cared for her as a person, they built a meaningful relationship based on trust and understanding.

Denyse tells the story of a particular Saturday at The GateHouse with her counselor. When Denyse felt stuck, or “jammed up,” as she describes it, she would blow up balloons and then let the air escape. Watching the balloon release this air was therapeutic for her. 

On this day, however, a GateHouse staff member began complaining that Denyse’s “balloon therapy” was making a mess. That’s when her counselor stepped in.

Denyse’s counselor told the staff member to let her continue to use the balloons, assuring them that Denyse would keep the space clean.

 “She allowed me to make mistakes which brought my wall down,” Denyse explains.  

Denyse’s relationship with her counselor continued even after Denyse left The GateHouse, and she remained in touch with her until her passing.

 “I loved her, and I knew she loved me unconditionally,” Denyse said. “I felt so sad that the fellowship and the recovery community lost a good one. That was a heavy loss for me.”  

A Restored Sense of Humanity 

Beyond the relationship with her counselor, Denyse emphasized how The GateHouse program provided her with a critical sense of ownership in her recovery process. During her time at The GateHouse, Denyse focused on developing a more effective decision-making process and learning how to ask for what she needed. This became a crucial part of her ongoing recovery.

 “It wasn’t just about staying clean. It was about learning how to live, learning how to rely on others, and asking for what I needed,” Denyse said.

As an example, Denyse recalled a day at The GateHouse when she had trouble recalling words during a meeting. Years of substance abuse had made it difficult for her to remember words and phrases. She knew she needed a dictionary to help expand her vocabulary again, so she asked for one. While it may sound like a simple request, it’s one she would not have made prior to her time at The GateHouse. 

“They allowed me to go down to the local K-Mart and get a dictionary,” she said. “I still have that dictionary today. I don’t know if I had been anywhere else if I would have been able to ask for this.” 

Denyse says that experiences like these helped restore a sense of humanity within her. “They allowed me to be me,” she explained. 

A Life-Long Recovery Community

Denyse credits The GateHouse with giving her the foundation to sustain recovery, and she remains in touch with many people she met during her time here.  

“So many different people helped me grow,” she says. “These are people who have become family.” 

In addition to the relationships, the tools she learned helped her reconnect with other individuals in her life, like her daughter. She says recovery has helped her gain perspective on how to build and maintain relationships with people in her life, even the not-so-easy ones. 

When asked about the most important skills she learned at The GateHouse, Denyse was quick to answer: “Love, stability, expansion, and acceptability. The sky’s the limit. Just one day at a time.” 

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The GateHouse is Central Pennsylvania’s leader in accredited substance recovery care, recognizing the unique challenges individuals face on their journey to recovery. For 50 years, we have helped individuals in our community restore their lives and rediscover the strength of the human spirit.

We provide each client with a support system that helps them break the cycle of substance abuse disorder and put them on the path to recovery. The GateHouse is here for you, whether you need outpatient support, transitional living conditions, or residential treatment programs. Reach out to us today!

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The GateHouse Turns 50: an Anniversary Story with Robin Skiles

As The GateHouse celebrates its 50th year of helping people find their path to recovery, it’s only fitting that we shine a light on the many individuals credited with building and strengthening the organization that has helped to reshape so many lives.

To that end, we begin with Robin Skiles, former Executive Director of The GateHouse, along with a remembrance of his mentor and predecessor, the late Bruce Caldwell.

Robin Skiles Moved His Way Up from Resident to Executive Director of The GateHouse

Robin Skiles first came to The GateHouse in 1982 as a resident. After leaving residential treatment and reconnecting with his community, he found his way back to The GateHouse as a counselor helping those working towards their own recovery journey.

He kept serving clients and gradually worked his way up to the Executive Director role. During his tenure, Robin developed programs and policies, ran the day-to-day operations, and participated in fundraising efforts until his retirement in 2014.

“Throughout the years, I saw how The GateHouse earned its reputation for success,” Robin said. “We were well respected in the surrounding area and in the recovery community because of our team’s great work and the difference we were making in our clients’ lives.”

The GateHouse also earned respect for its focus on giving back, getting involved, and building relationships.

“We did a Christmas party each year for underprivileged children,” Robin said. “We helped with community projects—efforts to clean up the community, for example, and other programs. Wherever we could contribute. I think those relationships and our involvement with the community played a big part in making the program what it is today.”

Robin dedicated his career to The GateHouse not only because the organization taught him how to live life in recovery, but because it allowed him to build and sustain a career with the purpose of helping others.

In particular, he considers The GateHouse’s staff development program a contributing factor to his own success in recovery and in life.

“While I was an employee at The GateHouse, I earned my master’s degree with tuition reimbursement as a part of the staff development program,” Robin said. “I also got my counselor’s license. Both had a big impact on me professionally, and I know the program has done the same for others as well.”

Mentor, Leader, and the Face of The GateHouse for Two Decades: Bruce Caldwell

Mentorship is a powerful tool for supporting and encouraging others. This is especially true in recovery. For anyone beginning their recovery journey, the best mentors are those who’ve experienced their own struggles with substance abuse and managed to find their way to recovery and, ultimately, a better life.

Bruce Caldwell was this type of mentor to Robin Skiles—and to countless others as well. Bruce directly preceded him in the Executive Director role at The GateHouse and went on to serve as Robin’s mentor in both work and life.

After his own battle with substance abuse disorder and recovery, Bruce joined The GateHouse as an entry-level resident manager and eventually advanced to the role of Executive Director. Bruce died in December 2016, leaving behind a 23-year legacy with The GateHouse and the recovery community.

“Bruce was The GateHouse,” Robin said. “He was known throughout the state as a leader in the drug and alcohol treatment field. He always asked everyone around him, ‘Are you all right?’ He was a big personality and just a caring, down-to-earth guy.”

50 Years of Dedication to The GateHouse’s Clients and Our Community

The strong foundation that Robin, Bruce, and other members of our team and community have cemented over the past five decades is why we have the privilege of serving families, individuals, and our community for the past 50 years. It has been an incredible journey. With the foundation these men created, we believe we will stay in a position to continue to help individuals and families find recovery. We are honored to carry and continue their legacy and vision.

 

The GateHouse is Central Pennsylvania’s leader in accredited addiction recovery care, recognizing the unique challenges individuals face on their journey to recovery. For 50 years, we have helped individuals in our community restore their lives and rediscover the strength of the human spirit.

We provide each client with a support system that helps them break the cycle of substance abuse disorder and put them on the path to recovery. The GateHouse is here for you, whether you need outpatient support, transitional living conditions, or residential treatment programs. Reach out to us today!

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Celebrate 50 Years of The GateHouse During the 2022 Extra Give


Half a Century of Restoring the Human Spirt Through Recovery in Lancaster County

Next month, The GateHouse celebrates 50 years of service. This isn’t just a celebration of the great work done by our passionate team or the strength of our clients in recovery; it’s a celebration of the support of our dedicated community for five decades.

This year’s Extra Give is a special one for us; it marks the beginning of our anniversary celebration and is a reminder of why your support is so vital to the success and wellbeing of our clients in recovery.

We hope you’ll consider giving to The GateHouse on November 18. We couldn’t do what we do without your generosity, including providing the day-to-day services our clients rely upon.

Funds Raised for The GateHouse During the Extra Give Support Services from Transportation to Housing

The money raised during the Extra Give is put to use in direct, tangible ways. For instance, by becoming a Neighbor Donor with a $50 donation, you’ll provide one month of public transportation for clients so they can travel to work or visit family members.

Becoming a GateHouse donor at various levels helps us move closer to our mission. Other donor levels include:

  • Peer, $100 Donation – provides three clients with photo ID cards for employment
  • Friend, $250 Donation – helps two clients obtain their GED
  • Supporter, $500 Donation – provides transitional housing for one month
  • Ally, $1,000 Donation – provides a food bank order for one month
  • Advocate, $2,500 Donation – furnishes a client bedroom

“When you make a donation to The GateHouse during the Extraordinary Give, you’re helping to provide our clients with the essentials they need to begin and/or continue their recovery journey,” said Jodi O’Reilly, Executive Director of The GateHouse. “You’re making it possible for them to maintain employment, live healthy lives, and ultimately, give back to our community.”

By Giving Extra on November 18, You’re Empowering Our Clients to Give Back Tomorrow

Support given during this year’s Extra Give comes full circle as our clients begin their recovery journeys and start giving back to the local community.

“It doesn’t take long for the support our community gives to clients of The GateHouse to be paid back many times over,” Jodi said. “Our clients retain employment and volunteer in local initiatives. They’re invested in their own recovery and often serve as sponsors for others. And they’re dedicated to paying forward the support they received in their time of need.”

Give Extra to The GateHouse During the 2022 Extraordinary Give

We hope you’ll consider supporting The GateHouse and our clients during this year’s Extraordinary Give.

To give to The GateHouse, visit our Extra Give giving page and make your donation.

We appreciate your generosity during the Extra Give and all year round as we fulfill our mission of restoring the human spirit through recovery.

 

Thanks to Our Matching Donor Sponsors!

A special thanks to these generous sponsors who will make matching donations on the day of The Extraordinary Give. Help them reach their goals by clicking below to make your own donation on the day of the Extra Give!
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The GateHouse Serenity Stories: Stephanie Prete

In September 2021, The GateHouse broke ground on its Serenity Gardens, a beautiful, tree-lined memorial garden providing a place for peaceful reflection for residents and families who lost loved ones to substance abuse disorder.

Families, GateHouse alumni, staff, and community members contributed to the creation of the gardens at The GateHouse’s Marietta, PA, residential treatment facility. Some sponsored bricks inscribed and displayed along the Gardens’ pathways. Others sponsored trees and benches adorned with messages remembering loved ones.

One such donor was Stephanie Prete, GateHouse alumni, and advocate for women working towards recovery from substance abuse disorder.

Stephanie Contributed to Serenity Gardens to Honor Other Women in Recovery Like Her

Since her time as a resident at The GateHouse, Stephanie has continued to give back to the community of women who supported her during her treatment.

“I came to The GateHouse from Delaware County, entering the Residential Extended Care program in 2013,” Stephanie said. “After leaving residential care in 2014, I decided to stay in Lancaster County because of the support I felt from the community here.”

About a year after treatment, Stephanie joined The GateHouse Alumni Association.

“I was the treasurer of the alumni association for about five years,” Stephanie said. “We organized The GateHouse’s softball tournament every summer. We also raised money to host picnics for the women’s events house and buy Christmas gifts for the clients in the house at the time.”

Through her work with the alumni association, Stephanie found the motivation to help other women in recovery.

“If I’m not helping other people, I lose my way,” Stephanie said. “There have been times in my recovery when I focused more on my own life and less on helping others. But during those times, I never felt as good as when I was helping someone else.”

Stephanie has since returned to Delaware County and is happy in her new life.

“My life is vastly different now. I’m still really involved in recovery. I go to AA. I’ve been a sponsor for other members. I still try to help as many women as I can.”

Through her journey of helping others, Stephanie has created a new life for herself, living independently and creating a stable future.

“I’m working to become a registered dental hygienist and will graduate soon,” Stephanie said. “I bought a house three years ago, my credit is good, and I own a car. These are things that may seem small to some, but it’s exciting to me that I did this on my own. I have a nice little group of friends, and I’m engaged. Life definitely looks different than it did before I arrived at The GateHouse.”

Stephanie attended the opening ceremony of the River Tower in Marietta—now the home of The GateHouse’s Residential Extended Care for Women—and donated a brick to be placed in the gardens. It reads:

“When the solution is simple, God is answering.” – Albert Einstein

Please Join Us in Support of the Serenity Gardens Project at The GateHouse

We welcome more community support for our Serenity Gardens project. You can donate a brick, plant a tree, sponsor a bench, or help fund the purchase of a pavilion. Click to learn how you can Donate to Serenity Gardens.

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When you or a loved one are ready to start living life in recovery, The GateHouse is here to help. With facilities around Lancaster County, PA, we provide substance abuse treatment services for long-term addiction recovery.

The GateHouse provides each client with a support structure to break the cycle of substance abuse and put them on the road to recovery. Whether they need outpatient support, a transitional living setting, or residential treatment services, The GateHouse is here for them.

The GateHouse can help you with your next step in recovery. Reach out to us today!

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The Connections Grant Program Brings Case Management to Clients in Transitional Living

How the new Transitional Living Grant Program, Connections, is supporting the needs of clients beginning their recovery journey

Transitioning back into your community after completing residential treatment creates change across every aspect of life. While it’s an important step forward in the recovery journey, we know it can also be a stressful time, especially for clients without many resources or a strong support system.

Our GateHouse Transitional Living houses are one of the many tools we have at The GateHouse to support clients in recovery as they leave residential treatment. They give our clients the ability to ease their way back into the community as they look for employment, an apartment, and any other essentials they need to begin life in recovery.

This past spring, our transitional living program received a boost of support from a grant to begin our new Connections Program. This program incorporates a transitional living case manager dedicated to supporting our clients as they transition. The grant also includes funding to help us provide rent reductions for GTL residents, as well.

The Connections Program Provides Financial Stability as Clients Transition

To be successful in early recovery, clients need assistance in many areas, including financial security. They must have the basics covered, like paying rent and food, if they’re going to maintain a healthy lifestyle.  The beauty of the Connections program is it covers the cost of rent for transitional living clients for the first two months of their stay. From there, the cost of rent is tiered, increasing slightly each month until they reach the full cost of rent at 12 months, and if a client receives a successful discharge, the program offers them financial assistance for their security deposit on their own apartment.

Micayla Roberts is the transitional living case manager overseeing the Connections program and she’s already witnessed the impact the program is having on her clients.

“Through the Connections grant, we’re alleviating a lot of the financial stress our clients would otherwise face at the beginning of their recovery journey,” Micayla said.

She is largely interested in using the program as a tool to help clients focus more on their treatment needs and build a solid foundation for recovery.

“By alleviating financial stress, we’re able to tackle mental health and wellness challenges our clients face; challenges that can prove to be major barriers to recovery if left unmanaged,” Micayla said. “It’s much easier to work through stress, anxiety, and depression when your rent payment isn’t looming over your head.”

How the Connections Case Management Program Works for Clients

Upon entering the program, Micayla takes an inventory of the client’s needs starting with the essentials – employment, doctor’s appointments, dental exams, transportation, etc. Next, they develop a plan to address all the needs of the client – outpatient counseling programs, mental health resources in the community, and many others.

She then creates a plan to get the client the resources they need, including access to support services. She’ll take into consideration whether treatment is within walking distance of clients, and which accept medical assistance when she’s setting up appointments. Most importantly, though, Micayla learns the client’s individual needs and matches them with the right outpatient counselors and ancillary services.

Connections is Already Making a Big Impact in Recovery for Clients in Transitional Living

In just the first several months of the program, Connections is already helping individuals meet their treatment needs and prepare for a life in recovery.

“The Connections program is already providing significant benefits to our transitional living clients,” Micayla said. “I can see the relief on clients’ faces when they can focus on their recovery and not their first couple of rent payments. They know they have me there to support them – they’re not alone. It makes a difference in recovery when you feel like someone’s in your corner.”

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The GateHouse offers transitional living services for long-term addiction recovery to clients throughout Lancaster County, PA. We help our clients access the services and resources they need to return and contribute to their communities.

Micayla and our entire team at The GateHouse would love to help you with your next step in recovery. Reach out to us today!

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The GateHouse Completes Construction of Serenity Gardens at its Marietta Residential Extended Care Home

One of the most important aspects of recovery treatment from substance abuse is looking past addiction itself and focusing on the whole person.

“The path towards recovery lives in our minds and spirit,” said Keith Stoudt, Director of Support Services for The GateHouse. “Our residents need quiet places for reflection, meditation, and prayer, which is exactly what our new Serenity Garden is here to provide.”

Bringing Serenity to The GateHouse in Marietta

On September 28, 2021, The GateHouse broke ground on Serenity Gardens, situated within the 7.4-acre grounds of Riverview Tower in Marietta—now the home of The GateHouse’s Residential Extended Care for Women.

Serenity Gardens features a patio, waterfall, and paved, tree-lined walkways. With its main construction completed in December 2021, the finishing touches—planting flowers and installing a memorial bench and paving bricks—are planned for Spring 2022.

constructionConstruction of Serenity Gardens was initially planned to begin after the grand opening of The GateHouse for Women at Riverview Tower, but the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the project.

“We wanted to construct the garden shortly after the grand opening of the Marietta house, but life shows up, and plans change,” Keith said. “We had to adjust to life on life’s terms. And sometimes that’s not easy.”

“It’s a great analogy for the path of recovery,” he said. “You may have a plan, and it seems simple. But life shows up, and we adjust to the change. We try our best and we work together to collaborate on a path towards success.”

When COVID restrictions and health risks subside, The GateHouse will host a community event to officially unveil the gardens to the community.

Support From Sponsors and the Community

Serenity Gardens isn’t only a place of reflection for The GateHouse’s residents. It’s a serenity garden for the entire community to enjoy.

“We consider The GateHouse a part of the larger community, and we hope the community will see our serenity garden as theirs,” Keith said.

The gardens were brought to life thanks to sponsors and donors throughout the region. Many sponsors purchased bricks to be inscribed and featured in the walkways and structures of the garden.

Community members who want to support the Serenity Gardens project before the dedication event this spring can donate a brick, plant a tree, sponsor a bench, or help fund the purchase of a pavilion. You can download our Serenity Garden Project Form to learn more and donate.

“Not only do we welcome the community to join us in the garden, but we also can’t thank our local supporters enough,” Keith said. “It’s their generous support that made this project a reality.”

Walking Beside Clients to Accomplish Big Things

“At The GateHouse, our staff transforms and encourages lifelong recovery by walking beside clients, and that’s what we did to create the garden,” Keith said. “It was a collaborative effort between our staff and clients.”

Clients played a huge role in cleaning and prepping the grounds before the landscapers started their work, Keith said.

“It was a great sight to see them come together,” he said. “And I believe that gives them a sense of purpose and meaning,” Keith said.

Restoring the Human Spirit Through Recovery

Today, with the completion of the new Serenity Garden on the grounds of our women’s residence, the gardens are ready to help clients of The GateHouse continue their journey towards recovery.

For Keith, being a part of the project was especially meaningful as he reflected on his own recovery journey.

“Starting over isn’t easy,” he said. “Going into the recovery process with next to nothing isn’t easy. I’m 16 years into recovery. I started my journey in 2005, having nothing, having burned all bridges.”

Keith said there is no comparison to the program he entered when he began his journey and the beautiful facilities at The GateHouse at Riverview Tower in Marietta.

“Just imagine coming to this property to start your new life,” he said. “That was our intent—to make the gardens as beautiful, inviting, comfortable, and as open as possible. This is one of the most rewarding projects I’ve been a part of in my entire life. I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of The GateHouse.”

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When it’s time to begin living life in recovery, The GateHouse is here to support you or your loved one. We offer substance abuse treatment services for long-term addiction recovery, with locations throughout Lancaster County, PA.

The GateHouse creates a support system for each client to break the cycle of substance abuse and put them on a path towards recovery. Whether they need outpatient support, a transitional living environment, or residential treatment services, it’s here for them.

Let The GateHouse help you with your next step in recovery. Reach out to us today!

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Making a Difference as a Recovery Specialist at The GateHouse

We’re hiring Recovery Specialists Right Now!

 

There aren’t many roles at The GateHouse that connect staff members and clients as closely as that of the Recovery Specialist.

“Our Recovery Specialists are truly the front-line support staff for our clients,” said Mike Duffy, Residential Program Supervisor at The GateHouse.

Mike manages his team of Recovery Specialists who, together, make sure that every residential client is heard and cared for properly. This often includes facilitating a life skills group like a budgeting seminar or transporting a client to an appointment like an art therapy class or a doctor’s office. In the evenings, the Recovery Specialist on duty will take clients to their 12-step meetings.

“There’s always a Recovery Specialist in each residence 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” Mike said. “Our team is there every day to support clients in whatever they need around the clock.”

Many of the Recovery Specialists at The GateHouse have experienced treatment in recovery first-hand. Others have family members or loved ones who have gone through The GateHouse and benefitted from the care that Recovery Specialists have shown.

No matter their connection to the substance use disorder (SUD) community, the Recovery Specialists at The GateHouse want a rewarding career that gives them the ability to give back and to grow within our organization.

Recovery Specialists support our clients as they make one of the most important transitions of their lives. They guide clients through treatment and provide whatever they need to lead a healthy life in recovery.

Our Recovery Specialists Have the Opportunity to Take on Larger Roles Over Time

For those looking to get their foot in the door of the SUD field, becoming a Recovery Specialist is a smart place to start.

“Working as a Recovery Specialist can quickly put you on a path towards a career supporting the SUD community,” Mike said. “Several of our team members and management staff began as recovery specialists and have worked their way up into other roles.”

While working as a Recovery Specialist is an entry-level position, it’s a skilled role that makes a huge impact on The GateHouse’s ability to support people in early recovery. The SUD field offers a certification for Recovery Specialist professionals. But the cost of certification comes with a big price tag.

“A Recovery Specialist Certification costs approximately $1,500; a cost The GateHouse pays in full for our Recovery Specialist team members,” said Mike. “It’s one of the biggest benefits of becoming a Recovery Specialist at The GateHouse.”

Supporting The GateHouse’s Entire Team

For our Recovery Specialists, no two days are ever the same. And working at The GateHouse in any other role is no different. Everyone has to jump in when they’re needed, regardless of who they are within the organization.

“The GateHouse team is a very supportive group,” said Mike. “If there’s ever a need, people always jump in. Especially during COVID in 2020, things were changing quickly, and we all had to wear several hats. When our Recovery Specialists and I needed help, our co-workers always volunteered to lend a hand, and we always did what we had to do to care for our clients. This is a special place to work.”

Join Our Team as a Recovery Specialist at The GateHouse

We’re currently hiring Recovery Specialists at several of our locations. In this position, you’ll oversee clients, coordinate activities, work with staff in client observation, and serve in many other capacities. Recovery Specialists develop positive relationships with clients, set good examples, communicate well with clients and staff, listen, and display a true belief in the philosophy of The GateHouse.

Learn more about becoming a Recovery Specialist and Apply Now.

At The GateHouse, we create a support system for each of our clients to break the cycle of addiction and get them on a path towards recovery, including addiction treatment services for long-term recovery with locations throughout Lancaster County, PA.

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The Power of Daily Routines and Positive Habits in Recovery

Humans, by nature, are creatures of habit.  We crave personal structure and routine.  It is the small choices we make each day that create our path in life.  Just like in recovery, habits and daily routines are a practice. It takes work and dedication for them to become a more natural part of daily life.

Kendrick Westmoreland knows the power of routines in recovery first-hand. Kendrick is the Clinical Director of Outpatient Services at The GateHouse, and he helps clients develop and maintain healthy habits to help sustain long-term recovery.

“I remember early on in recovery; I was sitting in a meeting where no one knew me,” Kendrick said. “At that moment, I realized that I could be whoever I want to be. I had a clean slate. I decided in that meeting that to become the person I wanted to be, I had to act like that person. I had to adopt the qualities of the person I wanted to become. That mindset changed everything for me.”

That mindset, for Kendrick, came down to the discipline of maintaining a healthy routine and holding himself accountable to see it through.

“For me, it started with making my bed every morning,” Kendrick said. “Years later, I still make my bed every morning. It’s a small routine but it’s been an important part of my recovery. It’s proven to me that I can make a change and stick to it.”

Sticking to Healthy Routines in Recovery Gets Easier When You Find the Right Routine for You

Recovery is different for everyone. The Outpatient Services team at The GateHouse helps clients determine the types of routines that will work best for them, then helps them create a plan to make the routine stick.

Here are a few of the practices that Kendrick and his team work through with our outpatient clients.

Choose Routines that Interest You

If you don’t like a routine, you aren’t going to stick with it. Start with your hobbies and interests. Choosing to practice and learn about a personal interest is a great foundation for a new daily routine.

“We each have different needs and interests, which is why there’s no one-size-fits-all routine roadmap,” Kendrick said.  “Take the time to think about your interests and what’s going to motivate you to keep your routines going.”

Focus on Routines that Can Support You Now and Down the Road

In recovery, you’re always evolving.  Look to add in a practice that supports your evolution.  Journaling, learning a new skill, meditation, and reading are a few practices that are relatively easy to implement and can become lifelong hobbies.

Set Realistic Expectations

Our outpatient teams are always reminding our clients that routines, like long-term recovery, are a life-long practice.

There is a theory that if you commit to doing a task every day for 21 days it will become a habit, and if you commit to continuing that practice for 90 days you have created a routine.  Sometimes it can be hard to envision life 90 days from now. Kendrick and his team suggest starting with what is in reach: tomorrow. 

“Get started, then assess as you go,” said Kendrick. “If getting into the new routine went well for the first week but then dropped off, step back and look at whether you’re interested in what you’re doing and whether it’s benefiting your recovery. If it is, then make small adjustments so the routine becomes easier for you.”

Know That There Will Be Setbacks, and That’s Okay

Clients need to know that forming routines in long-term recovery isn’t easy. According to Kendrick, setbacks are a part of the process. The key is to have a plan for how to deal with them and reestablish the routine you started.

“Habits don’t develop overnight just like the disease didn’t,” Kendrick said. “It’s about consistency over time.”

Switching up the time of day could help check new habits off the list. Try adjusting routines into higher energy times rather than waiting until the last minute or pushing for the first thing in the morning.

Ask for accountability from a family member, mentor, or friend. Tell them about the new routine and talk about the plan.

Establishing a Routine is an Important Next Step in Your Recovery Journey

The GateHouse now has a case manager dedicated to our outpatient services clients; one more resource to help you discover and develop positive habits in recovery. To learn more about our outpatient services, call 717-393-3215 to speak with one of the team members.

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The GateHouse offers outpatient services for long-term addiction recovery to clients throughout Lancaster County, PA. We help our clients access the services and resources they need to return and contribute to their communities. Kendrick and our entire team at The GateHouse would love to help you with your next step in recovery. Reach out to us today!

Open post PARR and NARR recertification

GateHouse Transitional Living Earns PARR and NARR Recertification

Thank You to Our Transitional Living Team for Their Hard Work in Achieving This Recognition

Our transitional living team works incredibly hard to make sure that every one of our transitional living recovery houses is giving our residents what they need to live a safe and healthy life in recovery.

Thanks to our team, GateHouse Transitional Living has achieved its recertification from The Pennsylvania Alliance of Recovery Residences (PARR) and the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) – the organizations setting the standards of care for recovery houses across our state and the nation.

Recovery Residences Must Meet a Series of Standards to Be Eligible for Certification

Achieving PARR and NARR certification takes the dedication of an entire team to pull off. There are 38 standards spread across 4 domains that a recovery residence must meet to be eligible for national and state certification. The four domains are:

  • Administrative Operations
  • Physical Environment
  • Recovery Support
  • Good Neighbor

Together, these standards check to see that transitional living facilities are operating with integrity, upholding residents’ rights, providing a home-like environment, facilitating active recovery, and much more.

Our Transitional Living Team Surpassed PARR and NARR Standards to Help Us Achieve Recertification

Leigh Chapman

Receiving recertification for all PARR and NARR standards across all eight transitional living residences at GateHouse Transitional Living is a true achievement and not easily accomplished. It took the hard work of our transitional living team made up of Leigh Chapman, Transitional Living Coordinator; Keith Stoudt, Director of Support Services; and Jim Marshall, Facilities Manager.

This was the first time through the recertification process for Leigh Chapman.

“It takes a lot of work and dedication to ensure our transitional living houses are meeting PARR and NARR standards,” Leigh said. “Doing the work to achieve recertification demonstrates that The GateHouse does whatever it takes to provide quality care to our residents.”

Meeting the standards for certification also required our team’s attention to the smallest details.

“I made my way down a long list of maintenance standards to ensure the facilities were ready for certification. I made sure the windows in each facility had screens, that all appliances were cleaned, that there were no fire hazards or leaks in any of the houses,” Leigh said. “It was a big job.”

Jim Marshall

Jim Marshall regularly maintains each of the transitional living houses at The GateHouse and handled the updates and repairs needed at each house to ensure they met PARR and NARR standards.

When asked about his contribution to the PARR and NARR recertification, Jim said, “It fulfills me to be a part of the experience and success.”

Keith Stoudt played a large role in helping The GateHouse achieve recertification in 2020 and was able to use that experience to help us meet the standards again this year.

“Meeting PARR and NARR standards proves that you’re providing the highest quality transitional living homes to your residents,” Keith said. “These standards hold all transitional living recovery houses accountable for operating with integrity. They require that we uphold a culture of empowerment and respect for our residents’ rights so they can actively engage in the beginning stages of their recovery journey.”

Keith Stoudt

Leigh, Jim, and Keith all agreed that the accreditation process took the entire team working together and that achieving the accreditation was only possible because of their dedication to excellence year-round.

“I appreciate and value the fact that all of us here at The GateHouse work together and hold one another accountable to high standards of work ethic that align with our mission, vision, and values,” Keith said.

“With this being my first accreditation, I relied on the team for support and guidance,” Leigh added. “We came together to get the job done. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Thank you, Leigh, Jim, and Keith for your hard work in achieving this accreditation and for your dedication to our clients in recovery.

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When you or your loved one is ready to begin life in recovery, our transitional living homes are here to support you on your journey.

The GateHouse offers substance abuse treatment services for long-term addiction recovery with locations throughout Lancaster County, PA. We create a support system for each of our clients to break the cycle of substance abuse and get them on a path towards recovery. Whether they need a transitional living environment, residential treatment services, or outpatient support, it’s here for them.

We’d love to help you with your next step in recovery. Reach out to us today!

 

 

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