“Restoring the Human Spirit Through Recovery.”
At the core of The GateHouse mission is a principle that resonates deeply within our community and the recovery community at large: mentorship.
From those first uncertain stages of the recovery process to helping others rebuild their lives and become contributing members of the community, mentorship is at the heart of everything we do.
While mentorship is not a new concept in recovery, it is certainly one that Executive Director Jodi O’Reilly fully embraces and has embodied throughout her tenure with The GateHouse. Her approach to mentorship underscores the importance of support, learning, and mutual respect in the recovery community. It’s about creating a nurturing environment where everyone, from staff to residents, is encouraged to share, learn, and grow together.
The Power of Leadership in Recovery
“Anyone can be a leader,” Jodi said. “Whether it’s a house manager or a resident, people want to follow the people they believe in.”
For Jodi, mentorship is leadership. It’s a commitment to helping and serving others, and it can create a powerful and positive change, one life at a time.
“It’s like a pebble being thrown into the water,” she said. “That first moment of contact can have a lasting, rippling effect. I’ve experienced it first-hand.”
The Ripple Effect in Action
In many ways, Jodi is a ripple herself, pulling from the energy of leaders and mentors who have shaped her understanding of recovery and widening the circle to ensure others carry the mission forward.
“It’s important to lead from a place of compassion and understanding,” she said. “It’s about creating a culture of inclusion, development, and empowerment.”
Cultivating a Culture of Support
As the leader of the organization for the last eight years, Jodi said the culture that exists at The GateHouse is largely due to the selfless dedication and determined commitment of the entire team. Part of her job, she said, is to provide the support, resources, and mentorship necessary for them to thrive in their roles.
“I want our staff to know they are appreciated and valued,” Jodi said. “These individuals are the heart of our organization, and it’s important they have the support and encouragement they need to serve our clients.”
A Personal Journey
Jodi said she was an admirer of The GateHouse long before she became its executive director. Both through her own recovery journey and her subsequent professional development, she said the organization was well-known for the lives it touched and saved. It’s what drew her to it.
“I’ve known a lot of people who have been through The GateHouse,” she said. “I witnessed the organization touch so many lives, and I deeply connected with its mission.”
Sustaining the Mission through Community
She’s not alone. Many former staff members and leaders have remained active with the organization, from being involved with fundraising efforts to attending events to mentoring others.
“I am fortunate to be surrounded by courageous, brilliant people who have incredible lived experiences,” Jodi said. “These are the people who keep me focused on the mission.”
Looking Forward: Building on a Legacy
As The GateHouse embarks on its 52nd year in operation, Jodi said she is grateful for the mentors she’s had and the mentorship she’s seen carried out by others.
“I’m just here to do the work I was led to do,” she said. “My hope is that I’m building on the legacy of everyone who has mentored me and contributed to this organization so significantly for the last half century.”
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The GateHouse is Central Pennsylvania’s leader in accredited recovery care, recognizing the unique challenges individuals face on their journey to recovery. For more than 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 use disorder and put them on the path to recovery. The GateHouse is here for you, whether you need outpatient support, transitional living, or residential extended care programs. If you’re looking for help now, give us a call at 717-393-3215 or reach out to us today to get started.
