Tag: addiction recovery

Open post GateHouse Lititz 90-Day Addiction Recovery Program Lancaster County PA

The GateHouse Is a Portal Between Addiction, Recovery

GateHouse Lititz stands as a proven portal for addiction recovery — offering a 90-day residential program that transforms the lives of 150 men every year across Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

This feature on The GateHouse Lititz was included in a recent edition of the Warwick Merchandiser!

The GateHouse Lititz judges lightly. And when it does, the GateHouse Lititz judges people on who they are, not what they do or have done.

The GateHouse Lititz doesn’t give up on people; it doesn’t throw away souls.

“There is hope. We provide hope,” said Anthony Valentin, who’s been the program director at The GateHouse Lititz for four years. “There are people out there who are willing to fight this battle and help. We want individuals to know it’s possible. We’re willing to walk alongside you. This is not meant to be done alone. It comes down to one person helping another.”

The GateHouse Lititz gives people second chances.The GateHouse Lititz, which is located at 649 E. Main St., Lititz, is an accredited residential recovery facility – a type of halfway house – which is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. The local nonprofit takes a holistic approach to addiction and recovery.

“Our mission is to help individuals transform their lives that have been centered around drug and alcohol addiction,” said Valentin. “We encourage them to be part of the community. We encourage them to volunteer. We want to show them it’s about community and what it’s like to give back.”

A 90-Day Addiction Recovery Program Built for Lasting Change.The GateHouse Lititz’s live-in 90-day recovery program includes one-on-one therapy sessions, group therapy, employment support services, life-skills training, accountability, chores, routine development, mental health awareness and mentorship programs. Some clients complete the recovery program, while others don’t, but everyone benefits in one way or another.

“It’s teaching them to live life on life’s terms,” said Valentin, a resident of East Lampeter Township. “Some of our individuals come to us defeated. But we tell them (addiction) doesn’t have to define you; it doesn’t have to affect your future. Sometimes individuals have blinders on and they can’t see the bigger picture. That’s when we step in. We also get them set up with (Pennsylvania) CareerLink.”

Serving 150 Men Through Proven Addiction Recovery Each Year.The GateHouse Lititz serves about 150 men each year. Currently, the residential recovery house is hosting 25 individuals, 19 of whom are employed throughout Lancaster County.

The GateHouse Lititz’s residential extended care is designed for males between the ages of 18 and 60. All of the individuals are from Pennsylvania – a handful from Lancaster County and from as far away as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Erie.

“These individuals have struggled with addiction in their lives,” said Valentin. “Some have had traumatic experiences. Some are trying to put their pasts behind them. Some are looking for encouragement. I look at individuals like if they were my child, are they being guided the way I’d like my child to be guided? They’re human beings.”

“Everyone has a story; everyone has a past,” continued Valentin. “There’s a lot more to them than what we’re seeing on the outside. The question is: ‘Why are they struggling? What is holding them back?’ I have met some really good people who have struggled with addictions.”

The GateHouse Lititz employs 15 staff members, 12 of whom work full time. The GateHouse is funded primarily through Medicaid, but it does participate in fundraising and grant programs.

“An individual has got to want it,” said Valentin. “We will engage them in different modulates of recovery. Hopefully, they will put their best foot forward. But at the end of the day, they’ve got to do it. You can’t do it for them. Kind of like, ‘You can live a better way of life and here are some examples.’ We hope they choose a productive way of life. All we can do is provide the information and know-how.”

“When you’re in addiction, it becomes natural, it becomes normal,” he added. “It’s a choice, and that’s what makes it hard. Relapse is part of addiction. You’re fighting a battle. We try to look for the good in people.”

50 Years of Addiction Recovery in Lancaster County.Established in Lititz in 1972, the GateHouse now also offers similar long-term residential recovery programs for men in Mountville and for women in Marietta. The GateHouse also operates eight transitional houses throughout Lancaster County and offers outpatient services in the city.

“Data shows that the longer individuals are involved with treatment, the better chance they have of recovery,” said Valentin. “We want to establish a foundation for recovery. As they’re hitting these benchmarks, the insurance company will say they’re no longer at great risk, so they can step into outpatient services. Some individuals may not be from this community, but they want to stay here for employment.”

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.

 

Open post Nelson Caldero, 18 years in addiction recovery, now a certified drug counselor in Lancaster PA

From the Streets to Service: Nelson Caldero’s Journey to Recovery

Nelson profile pictureGrowing up in Puerto Rico, Nelson Caldero seemed destined for success.

Bright, disciplined, and surrounded by strong family values, all the pieces were in place. His parents, now in their eighties, didn’t drink or smoke, and Nelson was raised in the Catholic Church.

“My family taught me right from wrong,” he said. “We weren’t even allowed to have tattoos.”

After graduating high school in 1990, Nelson went to college and earned an associate’s degree in accounting. But despite his degree and the structure his family provided, his environment told a different story. Nelson lived in a housing project where crime and drug dealing were part of everyday life; where the people who commanded respect were the ones who broke the rules.

“In the projects, it wasn’t about being a bad person,” Nelson explained. “It was about survival … and wanting more.”

Despite his family’s love and support, by his late teens, Nelson was already immersed in Puerto Rico’s drug culture. He drove his own car, worked for major dealers, and was surrounded by people chasing fast money.

“I wasn’t using then,” he said. “But I was deep in the lifestyle.”

 

A Move to the Mainland

Nelson older pictureIn his early twenties, Nelson traveled to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, to attend a funeral for someone connected to the life he’d known in Puerto Rico. It was his first time leaving the island, and the trip changed everything, he said. As soon as he arrived, he saw opportunities everywhere and decided to stay.

But that decision would also put him on a dangerous path.

“When I came to Bethlehem, I started working at a tire shop that was also laundering money,” Nelson said. “Eventually, I made the poor decision to start selling heroin with one of my coworkers. My mentality back then was all about making money.”

The lifestyle escalated quickly. His first brush with jail was for possession while dealing drugs. He bailed himself out quickly, though, and was back on the street in no time. He was even offered Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD), a pre-trial diversion program for first-time nonviolent offenders. Successful participation in the program could have eventually led to an expungement of his criminal record.

It wasn’t long, however, before Nelson got further involved in drug trafficking and was arrested after a shooting incident. Although he wasn’t the one who pulled the trigger, Nelson was one of three people trying to collect money from another group and was witnessed carrying a gun. This time, his case wasn’t treated so lightly. He was given a high bail, which led to his first real time in jail.

“That’s when I went to general population for the first time,” he said. “When I came out, I told myself I was a criminal now. That’s how I started using heroin for the first time, right here in Pennsylvania.”

 

The Spiral and the Fall

What began as experimentation soon turned into a daily battle.

“From that day on, that was it,” he said. “I was in and out of prison—Northampton County, Lehigh County—it never stopped.”

Hoping to escape the chaos, Nelson returned to Puerto Rico, where his family believed a change of scenery might help. “But when I went back, it was even worse,” he said. “Heroin was cheaper and easier to find. Two weeks later, I was using again. And then I became homeless.”

Eventually, a friend from the old neighborhood recognized his struggle and sent him to a program that transferred people from Puerto Rico to Christian rehabilitation centers in the U.S. Nelson ended up in New Jersey, but he wasn’t ready. “I found a way to use even in the program,” he said. “They kicked me out.”

From there, he called his brother in Bethlehem, who sent him money to come back. “He told me the rules: no using, no drinking. Three weeks later, I relapsed again.”

 

Rock Bottom and the Turning Point

By his late twenties, Nelson had lost nearly everything: his marriage, his health, and his family’s trust.

“Every time my brother helped me, I hurt him,” he said. “I would steal from him to buy drugs. It got to the point where I had no place to live and no one to call.”

In 2007, he found himself back in jail, this time in Northampton County. But during his court hearing, something shifted. “I told the judge, ‘If you send me to treatment, I promise you’ll never see me in this court again,’” he said. “And I meant it.”

The judge listened. Nelson was sent to a residential treatment program in Lancaster. “That was my last chance,” he said. “And I knew it.”

His clean date of November 2, 2007, marks the day he entered that program. When he completed treatment, his counselor offered him a spot at The GateHouse in Lancaster. “I’d never heard of it before,” Nelson said. “But on January 2, 2008, I walked through those doors. And everything started to change.”

 

Finding a New Way to Live

At first, Nelson wasn’t sure he’d fit in.

“There were only two Spanish guys there, and after the first week, the other one got discharged,” he recalled. “I thought nobody would like me. But from the first day, everyone treated me with respect. They treated me like I was somebody. I needed that.” That respect became the foundation of his recovery. Nelson began working the 12 Steps, attending meetings, and building a new community.

“I decided I wasn’t going back to Bethlehem,” he said. “I was going to start over here.” He found a sponsor (the same one he still has today), got a job downtown, and started rebuilding his life.

“The GateHouse gave me more than a bed,” Nelson said. “It gave me purpose.”

 

From Resident to Role Model

Nelson and partnerNelson stayed the course. He finished outpatient care, enrolled in classes at HACC, and eventually earned his associate degree in social work. Later, he was accepted into Drexel University’s Behavioral Health Counseling program, a process that took determination and three separate appeals after his application was initially denied due to his old criminal record.

“I didn’t give up,” he said. “I even wrote a letter to the doctor who created the program. I told him, ‘That charge doesn’t define who I am today.’ They finally accepted me and even paid for my books the first semester.”

Every Saturday for nearly two years, Nelson drove from Lancaster to Philadelphia for classes, never missing a session.

“I only missed one day because of snow. It took me two hours to drive there and two to drive back. But I wanted it,” he said. “I wanted it so bad.”

He graduated with honors and later earned his CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) credential.

For 16 years, Nelson worked at Nuestra Clínica Residencial in Lancaster, where he rose to Facility Director of the halfway house before accepting a new role at Blueprints for Addiction Recovery. Today, he serves as an Embedded Case Manager, helping clients navigate treatment and county funding through the Lancaster County Drug and Alcohol Commission.

 

A Life Rebuilt with a Legacy of Service

Nelson's daughter and partnerRecovery established Nelson’s career but also rebuilt his family.

After gaining full custody of his daughter when she was two and a half, he built his life around being a father.

“I learned how to braid hair, pack lunches, and take her to school,” he said with a smile. “She’s 10 now, and everything I do, I do for her.”

Nelson also found love again.

“I’ve been in a relationship for five years,” he said. “She loves my daughter like her own.”

Even now, he remains deeply connected to the recovery community. He serves as a coordinator for a Spanish-language NA convention and volunteers as an area service representative for the Lancaster region.

“Somebody helped me,” he said. “Now it’s my turn to help others.”

 

Eighteen Years of Addiction Recovery and Counting

Nelson's familyThis November marks 18 years since Nelson’s last use. It’s a milestone he doesn’t take lightly.

“I remember what it felt like to have nothing,” he said. “Today, I have a home, a family, a career, and peace. That’s what recovery gives you. Peace.”

When asked what advice he shares with others walking a similar path, Nelson doesn’t hesitate.

“Don’t give up,” he said. “You’re not going to understand everything right away. But keep showing up. One day, the miracle will happen. And when it does, your life will make sense again.”

 

The GateHouse is Central Pennsylvania’s leader in accredited recovery care, helping individuals rebuild their lives and rediscover the strength of the human spirit. Whether you need outpatient support, transitional living, or residential extended care programs, give us a call at 717-393-3215 or contact us to get started.

 

 

 

Open post Community members gathered at The GateHouse’s second annual cultural event at Long’s Park Lancaster PA

A Day of Community and Connection at The GateHouse’s Second Annual Cultural Event

Last month, The GateHouse once again brought the community together for its Second Annual Cultural Event at Long’s Park. What began as a hopeful experiment last summer has quickly become a cherished tradition, celebrating culture, food, and fellowship while creating meaningful connections for clients on their recovery journeys.

This year’s event, held under Pavilion One, was bigger, busier, and even more vibrant than its debut. With expanded food offerings, live music, interactive activities, and spontaneous dancing, it provided a joyful setting where clients, families, staff, and community members could come together.

 

A Stronger Start Than Year One

The GateHouse at Long's Park for 2nd Annual Cultural EventOrganizers noticed immediately how different this year felt from the start.

“Last year, people trickled in a few hours after we opened,” said Mariah Milani, Intake Supervisor and co-facilitator of the Community Engagement Committee. “This year, people were swarming the tables before we were even finished setting up. We got hit right away with a big crowd, and it stayed busy for hours.”

That immediate response was partly the result of more intentional planning and promotion.

“We weren’t sure what to expect when we did this last year,” said Linda Colon, Billing Supervisor and Mariah’s fellow co-facilitator at The GateHouse. “This year we advertised earlier and worked harder to spread the word. The turnout showed it.”

Both Linda and Mariah said that lessons from year one helped shape year two. By focusing on activities that drew in both clients and community members, the day flowed more smoothly while keeping the energy high.

 

Cultural Tables and Culinary Adventures

2nd Annual Cultural Event at Long's ParkFood once again played a central role. Each table showcased a culture through local restaurant dishes, decorations, and educational elements. Attendees could sample tamales, Puerto Rican dishes, Vietnamese cuisine, Middle Eastern favorites, and much more—all while learning about the traditions behind them.

For Mariah, the shift in cuisine was a big improvement.

“Last year we did an Italian table, but the food was a little too heavy and hot for the middle of summer,” she said. “This year we switched to Vietnamese food, and it was a huge hit. I had one guest who came back three times just to ask about the dishes because she’d never tried Vietnamese food before.”

Linda pointed out that the addition of Middle Eastern food gave the event even greater variety.

2nd Annual Cultural Event by The GateHouse

“That was new this year, and it added to the mix in a big way,” she said. “People were excited to try something they hadn’t experienced before.”

One of the most memorable contributions came from Norbu, a Nepalese restaurant that donated most of its offerings. “It was incredible generosity,” Mariah said. “We put their business cards and menus on the table so people could connect with them afterward.”

While most of the food was purchased with support from The GateHouse, organizers hope the relationships built this year will lead to more food donations in the future.

“It’s really a win-win,” Mariah said. “The restaurants get exposure, and our community gets to try something new.”

 

Face Painting, Dancing, and Live Music

Beyond food, this year’s event featured more activities to engage clients and families. Administrative Assistant Kier Keiser volunteered to provide face painting, a role she had never tried before but quickly embraced.

“It was my first time doing it, and I ended up working harder there than I do in the office most days,” she said with a laugh. “Seriously, though, it was worth it to see the smiles on the kids’ faces. It was a big success.”

Music added another layer of energy. Clinical Supervisor Tim Gageby set up under a tent and played guitar and sang throughout the afternoon, providing a relaxed soundtrack.

“He wanted to keep it low-key, and it really worked,” Mariah said.

Dance also found its place in the celebration. International folk dancers gave a demonstration and invited attendees to join in. Later, when familiar dance songs like the “Cha Cha Slide” came on, the pavilion filled with people of all ages dancing together.

“That spontaneous dancing is one of my favorite memories,” Linda said. “It was so natural—clients, staff, families, all joining in. For a moment, everyone just let go and enjoyed being together.”

Along with some of the yard games like cornhole that were brought back from last year, the addition of a dominoes table this year was a big hit that added to the festivities and provided a new form of friendly competition to the afternoon.

 

Creativity and Connection

Activities at the 2nd Annual Cultural EventThe popular flag-decorating contest returned, this time evolving into two competitions.

“Last year we had some issues with how the flags were displayed,” Mariah said. “This year, clients took more creative liberties and made artwork inspired by cultures, in addition to various countries’ flags that were brought out again this year. So, we decided to hold two separate contests with gift card prizes.”

For Adelina “Nina” White, HR Generalist and first-time participant, the event’s value went beyond the activities.

“It wasn’t about raising money—it was about creating a free community event where clients could enjoy themselves and people could see The GateHouse in action,” she said.

 

Recovery in a Different Light

While the cultural celebration was open to the public, its impact on clients was especially meaningful. Many in early recovery have limited opportunities for healthy social events, and this gathering provided a safe space to relax and connect.

“It’s important for our clients to see they can have fun without substances,” Linda said. “They get to dance, laugh, and share food with their peers and families in a supportive environment. That’s huge for recovery.”

The event also allowed staff and clients to connect on a personal level.

“At work, we’re often serious and focused,” Linda said. “But here, we get to interact differently—with clients, with alumni, with each other. Meeting their families and being able to just hang out builds bonds you can’t always create in a structured setting.”

Kier said she was struck by how far the event’s reach extended.

“We had people from other recovery houses and treatment centers show up, even from outside the county,” she said. “It shows how much people are looking for events like this.”

 

Looking Ahead

Cultural Event at Long's Park by The GateHouse

Though still only in its second year, the event has already established itself as a signature tradition for The GateHouse. Organizers are already discussing ways to enhance it next year, from karaoke and line dancing to bringing in additional cultural performers.

“We’ll probably start planning again in early 2026,” Mariah said. “It takes a lot of coordination, especially with the food tables, but each year we’re going to keep getting better at it. Our goal is to keep making it more engaging and inclusive.”

For Linda, the biggest reward is simple: “It’s about showing our clients there’s more to recovery than just hard work. There’s joy, there’s laughter, and there’s community.”

 

The GateHouse Cultural Event: A Tradition in the Making

The GateHouse’s cultural event is more than a summer gathering. It is becoming a tradition that celebrates culture, nurtures recovery, and strengthens the bonds of community.

“This isn’t going away,” Mariah said. “Each year we’ll keep building on it. It’s about food, culture, music, and fun—but at the heart of it, it’s about connection. And that’s something we all need.”

 

If you or someone you know is seeking a recovery program that values holistic wellness and community connection, The GateHouse is here to help. Our outpatient, transitional living, and residential extended care programs are designed to support individuals at every stage of recovery. Reach out to us today!

 

Open post Dan Schultz, GateHouse alumnus in long-term recovery

In Recovery, the Power of Community Starts with Connection

Recovery often begins in small, quiet moments. A nod across the room. A shared laugh after a group meeting. The simple act of being listened to without judgment. These everyday interactions can carry enormous weight for someone working to rebuild their life after struggling with substance use disorder.

At The GateHouse, those moments aren’t left to chance. They are part of our culture. Community is woven into every aspect of the recovery journey. From group meals and shared living spaces to structured programming and peer mentorship, connection runs through everything at The GateHouse. It’s the foundation that helps our clients move forward.

Whether it’s a sponsor offering a steady voice during a hard week or a fellow resident sharing a story that hits close to home, these relationships are often what carry people through. Over time, connection builds confidence, accountability, and, perhaps most important, a renewed sense of belonging.

 

Breaking Isolation, Building Belonging

Dan Schultz

Substance use disorder often thrives in isolation. Recovery, in contrast, grows stronger through shared experience. At The GateHouse, building community goes beyond placing individuals in group settings. It’s about creating spaces where each person is treated with dignity and supported with empathy.

“I felt safe there,” said Dan Schultz, an alumnus of The GateHouse who first entered the program in the early 1980s. “I knew if I stayed in Rochester, I would never have made it.”

Dan spent years caught in the cycle of alcohol use and legal consequences before arriving at The GateHouse. What he found was more than a structured environment. He found a group of people who helped him stay accountable while offering steady encouragement.

That’s what connection does. It anchors people in difficult moments. It replaces shame with shared purpose. It makes healing possible.

 

The Role of Mentorship and Sponsorship

Judy Bohner

Mentorship is a core part of the recovery journey at The GateHouse. Our programs encourage individuals not only to seek guidance from mentors and sponsors but also, when ready, to become one themselves. This creates a network of mutual support where growth flows in both directions.

Judy Bohner, who entered The GateHouse later in life, found strength through this model. Now in long-term recovery, she has spent more than two decades sponsoring others in her local recovery community.

“My AA home group has become my chosen family,” she said. “That connection changed everything for me.”

For many clients, the presence of a mentor is the first time someone consistently shows up for them without judgment or agenda. These relationships help normalize the ups and downs of recovery and offer reassurance that challenges don’t have to be faced alone.

 

Why Group Experience Matters

Jodi O’Reilly, Irene Mouchlizis, and Janice Potter

Recovery doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It is shaped and supported by the people around us. That’s why The GateHouse prioritizes group-based healing, whether through formal therapy sessions, shared living spaces, or peer-led support groups.

In these spaces, clients begin to see themselves in others’ stories. Vulnerability is met with compassion. Accountability is delivered with care. As trust builds, so does the belief that change is possible.

One of the people who helped set this tone was Janice Potter, a former Recovery Program Supervisor and alumnus of The GateHouse, who passed away in December 2022.

“She treated everyone with the same dignity, respect, tenderness, and empathy,” recalled Executive Director Jodi O’Reilly. “She was an advocate for every woman here and spoke the truth, even when it was tough.”

Janice’s approach reflected a deeper understanding. Shame is one of the biggest barriers to healing, and compassion has the power to dismantle it.

 

Summer Can Challenge Routine, but Community Helps

Summer is a season that naturally encourages spontaneity, travel, and breaks from routine. While that can feel freeing, it can also become destabilizing, especially for those in early recovery.

That’s why summer is a critical time to stay connected.

The GateHouse reinforces the importance of consistent routines and peer relationships, even during months that might feel looser or more chaotic. For those living in recovery, it’s less about restriction and more about reinforcement.

“I want the life I have today,” Dan Schultz said. “In early recovery, it’s so easy to get overwhelmed.”

His advice?

“Go to meetings,” he said. “Keep it simple. Stay close to the people who remind you why you started this journey in the first place.”

 

How Does Community Support Help Addiction Recovery?

David Morgan

Every path through recovery is unique. Some arrive at The GateHouse following multiple inpatient stays. Others come directly from detox or court-mandated programs. But for nearly everyone, the turning point involves connection.

David Morgan, a GateHouse alumnus, had already completed five treatment programs before arriving.

“I was beaten down,” he said. “I came close to death a couple times.”

At The GateHouse, David found something different: a peer group that challenged his ego, a counselor who helped him shift his mindset, and a community that welcomed him without pretense.

Those relationships helped him find stability and over time, helped him grow. Today, David continues to stay active in the recovery community, sponsoring others and building a life around service, accountability, and purpose.

“My whole life now revolves around the people I met in recovery,” he said. “And it’s a great life.”

 

A Culture of Connection

For more than half a century, The GateHouse has built a community where people in recovery find connection and structure. It offers a place to belong. From the beginning, its founders believed in the power of community. That belief still guides the organization today.

Former Executive Director Bruce Caldwell was known for helping clients not just through structure, but through relationship. When Judy Bohner applied for a job while at The GateHouse, Bruce personally advocated for her while also setting clear expectations with the employer. That combination of support and accountability helped Judy thrive and eventually led to her joining the board.

That’s the kind of leadership The GateHouse fosters. It invests in people, even when they are still learning to invest in themselves.

 

Staying Connected, Staying Grounded

Recovery is a process rooted in connection. It grows through structure, compassion, and the daily decision to keep showing up—for yourself and for others.

Here at The GateHouse, community is more than a value. It’s a lifeline. During seasons when routine may falter, staying connected through mentorship, group support, and daily structure can make all the difference.

The journey through recovery doesn’t have to be walked alone. In fact, it works best when it isn’t.

 

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’ve helped individuals restore their lives and rediscover the strength of the human spirit.

We provide each client with a support system that helps break the cycle of substance use disorder and put them on the path to lasting recovery. Whether you need outpatient services, transitional housing, or residential extended care, we’re here to help. Reach out to us today.

 

Open post Natasha’s Recovery Journey

From Chaos to Clarity: Natasha’s Recovery Journey

Natasha's Success Story with The GateHouseWhen Natasha McCall walked through the doors of The GateHouse the day after Christmas in 2018, she didn’t know she was entering the place that would transform her life. She had other plans … and those plans included palm trees and sunshine.

“Right when I got there, I told my counselor I was going to Florida,” she said. “I said coming to The GateHouse was just a temporary insurance thing.”

But the only program that accepted her was The GateHouse. And, as it turns out, that was exactly where she needed to be.

A Childhood in Turmoil

Natasha’s story begins in a whirlwind of instability.

By the time she entered kindergarten, she and her mother had moved 12 times. She was raised amid emotional chaos by a mom whose fear of the Rapture colored every corner of their world. Shuffled between her mother’s religious fervor and her churn of romantic relationships, Natasha was often left to her own devices.

Her first drink came at age 11, handed to her by a family member.

“I didn’t even really understand how it made me feel,” she said. “I just liked that I fit in. I didn’t feel self-conscious. I didn’t have to feel my feelings.”

What started with alcohol quickly escalated to hallucinogens, pills, and even heroin—all before she was even 16.

“It just kept progressing,” she said. “And it didn’t stop for 25 years.”

Motherhood at 15

Natasha and her sonAt just 15 years old, Natasha became a mother and immediately felt the weight of responsibility settle on her shoulders. She was desperate to provide some sense of stability for her newborn son.

“So, I did what any 15-year-old trying to build a family might think to do,” she said. “I got married.”

The marriage wasn’t to her child’s father, but to a 19-year-old man she barely knew. The relationship was rocky from the start. Both were struggling with substance use, and Natasha was still a child herself. The marriage lasted just six months.

“I had just turned 16 when we got married, and it ended that December,” she said. “It was like we were just playing house. We had no idea what we were doing.”

Still, Natasha tried to do the right thing. She got her GED, became a nurse’s aide at 17, and tried to raise her son with whatever stability she could muster.

Then, tragedy occurred. When her son was four, his biological father suddenly reappeared and took Natasha to court to gain visitation rights. On his very first overnight visit, the boy’s father abused him. It was a significant enough event that the man was arrested, convicted, and sentenced to 20 years in prison.

The experience was devastating for Natasha.

“I was already doing everything I could just to survive and be a good mom,” she said. “But that moment broke something in me. It was one of those things you don’t bounce back from—you just carry it differently.”

Transitioning to “Adulthood”

As she entered her 20s, Natasha did her best to cope. She kept working, raising her son, and searching for some semblance of order in her life. But the stability she longed for always seemed just out of reach.

Amid the chaos, she leaned on something she thought was safe: prescription medication.

“I figured if it was prescribed, it had to be okay,” she said. “I was taking Xanax, Valium, painkillers—whatever the doctor gave me. Every day.”

To the outside world, it looked like she was functioning. She had a steady job, paid the bills, and tried to keep life moving forward. But underneath it all, the pills were helping her maintain a fragile version of normal.

“I wasn’t partying,” she said. “I was surviving. But I can see now that I was abusing those meds. I just didn’t want to feel anything.”

By her 30s, things began to unravel. Her substance use disorder was no longer something she could control or conceal.

“I was getting high at work,” Natasha said. “I was missing events. Stealing from jobs. It was constant.”

Hitting Bottom

Even as her life spiraled, Natasha kept trying to “fix” things on her own. She swapped one substance for another, moved from place to place, all the while going on and off methadone.

A turning point came when her mother became gravely ill.

In the hospital for months, her mother’s health issues coincided with Natasha’s own deepening spiral. Sleeping in cars, staying with drug dealers, and ultimately losing a pregnancy due to her inability to stay clean, Natasha found herself homeless and alone in a Rutter’s parking lot.

“I had no money, no drugs, no one to call,” she said. “Weirdly, I had an NA book in my glovebox. I don’t know why. I really don’t. But I started reading.”

She picked up the phone and called Cove Forge. They had a bed. She went that same night.

“You have to understand—that never happens,” Natasha said. “You don’t just call a place like that and get a bed the same day. It honestly felt like divine intervention. Like something—someone—wanted me to live.”

The GateHouse Changes Everything

Although she had been to Cove Forge before, Natasha had never stayed through the program. But this time, something was different.

“I just knew I couldn’t go back to the life I was living,” she said.

Natasha and her friend from The GateHouseShe completed detox, stayed for rehab, and entered the partial program. Her next plan? Florida.

“My plan was to go recover in Boca Raton,” she said, laughing. “I thought I’d start fresh in the sunshine, maybe stay with my sister. That was the dream.”

But her insurance had other ideas—it required her to stay in Pennsylvania. She applied to several halfway houses across the state. All of them turned her down.

Except one.

“The GateHouse was the only place that said yes,” Natasha said. “And honestly, it was the best ‘no’ I ever got.”

When the doors of The GateHouse opened to her on that cold day in December, Natasha had no idea what she was walking into.

“I thought I’d just be living in a house, going to some meetings,” she said. “Instead, they handed me a chore list and told me I had to cook dinner for 27 women.”

A Moment of Truth

Despite the challenge, she leaned in.

“It was like everything I missed in childhood,” Natasha said. “There was a routine. I had responsibilities. But I was a part of something. I learned how to make my bed, do my own laundry, and be accountable.”

She stayed in Residential Extended Care for four months before progressing to Gatehouse Transitional Living. There, she found not just recovery—but clarity, purpose, and connection.

After her time at The GateHouse, Natasha moved to Columbia, PA, and things began to shift. She entered a relationship and moved in with a partner who was still actively using. The environment became toxic, and Natasha found herself slipping away from the practices that had kept her grounded.

The GateHouse alum Natasha“I wasn’t calling my sponsor. I wasn’t going to meetings,” she said. “I was still trying to hold things together, but I wasn’t doing the work.”

Eventually, she relapsed, and, probably due to her long period of abstinence, she overdosed.

Fortunately, her best friend, whom she had met during her time at The GateHouse, was also living with them at the time. Unlike Natasha and her partner, Natasha’s friend was still in recovery and wasn’t using. She was the one who stepped in.

“She gave me Narcan and did CPR,” Natasha said. “She saved my life.”

The moment jolted her back into focus.

“That was my jarring experience,” she said. “It shook me awake.”

Natasha and her partner moved to the City of Lancaster, but within a few weeks her partner moved out and Natasha recommitted fully to her recovery. She attended 90 meetings in 90 days, reconnected with her sponsor, and rebuilt the structure she had learned during her time at The GateHouse.

Building a New Life

Today, Natasha is thriving.

While she still lives in the same apartment she moved into after recovery, she works full-time in accounting and is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, with plans to earn a master’s in mental health counseling.

Most importantly, she’s become a pillar of strength in her family. Her son—now an adult—is in therapy and navigating his own healing journey. Her sister has reduced her drinking. Even her mother has become more open about addiction and recovery.

“I went from being the cautionary tale to being the inspiration,” Natasha said.

Looking Forward

Natasha plans to become a therapist whose focus areas are trauma and substance use disorder. She’s already begun to use her story to help others.

“Recovery gave me the space to grow, to go through phases, and to be loved through them,” she said. “I missed a lot growing up. Now I get to reclaim that.”

 

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.

 

Open post yannick-before-The-GateHouse, Yannick-Harris-sponsor, Yannick-Harris-Mother-Kids

From Structure to Freedom: Yannick’s Recovery Journey

Yannick Harris’s path to recovery wasn’t one he chose—at least not initially.

“I definitely wasn’t at a point where I was ready to stop,” Yannick said, recalling his mindset when his journey began. “I didn’t really know what rehab was, other than commercials of Passages Malibu in California. I think I probably kind of looked at it like it would be a vacation, honestly.”

Today, Yannick is celebrating his tenth year of sobriety and has come full circle. He now works as a counselor at The GateHouse—the very place that helped him establish his foundation in recovery. But his journey there was anything but straightforward.

 

The Unexpected Intervention

Yannick’s struggle with substances began in high school with alcohol. By college, his drinking had “taken off,” as he described it, and he got involved in legal trouble—primarily for selling drugs. His substance use deepened over time, eventually leading to harder drugs.

It was his mother who first confronted him about his addiction.

Yannick Harris before The GateHouse“I was probably about 40 pounds underweight,” Yannick said. “I was always really close with my mom since I was a kid, so she just asked me what was going on, and something told me to be honest with her.”

His mother responded first with tough love, telling him he couldn’t be around her house if he was using. But shortly after, she called with a different approach: she wanted him to go to rehab. Through connections with his uncle in Florida, arrangements were made for Yannick to enter treatment.

Unfortunately, the Florida experience quickly fell apart. What had been described as a solid treatment plan turned out to be disorganized and unavailable. After arriving in Florida, Yannick discovered there wasn’t actually a bed reserved for him. Though he eventually found a detox center, against medical advice, Yannick left after just three days. He wound up using again on the streets before flying back home to Pennsylvania.

What Yannick didn’t know was that his mother had other plans when he returned from his brief, unsuccessful stint in Florida.

“My mom had arranged for me to go to rehab without me knowing,” he said. “So, I get on the plane back to PA, land at the Lehigh Valley International Airport, and get into the car. I guess I fell asleep because when I woke up, there was this old man there to take me to rehab.”

 

Finding Structure at The GateHouse

After 103 days at the Conewago Snyder treatment center in Beavertown, PA and 25 days in a partial program at Cove Forge in Williamsburg, PA, Yannick finally arrived at The GateHouse. Still not fully invested in recovery, he was initially drawn to the practical aspects of the program.

“The most enticing thing you hear is that you could start working, you could take family passes, and things like that,” Yannick said. “I wasn’t even necessarily looking at it as, ‘I’m going to continue to work on myself internally.’ I was more so like, ‘Okay, I get one step closer to being done with all this stuff.'”

Despite his initial reluctance, the structure at The GateHouse became the foundation of Yannick’s recovery. Two elements stood out to him: learning healthy communication through The GateHouse’s “pull-up system” and getting involved in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA).

“The biggest thing was getting involved in AA, which I actually procrastinated with in a lot of ways until right before it was time for me to go,” he said.

 

The Turning Point

Yannick Harris AwardYannick’s true recovery journey didn’t begin until he was nearly ready to leave the residential program at The GateHouse. With just two weeks left before moving to a transitional living house, he still hadn’t secured a sponsor or a job—both requirements for the next phase.

“The whole clinical team met with me and pretty much said, ‘Listen, you’re self-sabotaging,'” Yannick recalled. His counselor issued an ultimatum: get a sponsor that night or risk losing his place in the recovery house.

This moment of accountability became the catalyst for Yannick’s genuine recovery. He asked someone who had been giving him rides to meetings to be his sponsor—someone he already had a relationship with.

“That sponsor I called daily,” Yannick said. “I started doing step work. I would say that was the start of my recovery, even though I already had four or five months abstinent at that point.”

 

Building a New Life

Yannick's mother and kids

Yannick stayed in the transitional living program at The GateHouse for 15 months, following the structure that had been established and continuing his involvement with AA. His approach was simple but effective.

“I just followed the rules,” he said. “And because I followed the rules, one day I woke up and I was a different person. It’s kind of hard to explain how I really got there, other than I followed the rules and got connected to AA as a result.”

After leaving transitional living, Yannick secured his own apartment and continued working at Our House Cafe, where he had risen to a management position. Eventually, his personal life stabilized as well—he reunited with the mother of his children for a time and regained custody of his kids, who had been living with his mother for several years.

Though his relationship eventually ended, Yannick maintains shared custody of his children, now ages 12 and 11, alternating weeks with their mother.

 

Coming Full Circle

Yannick’s professional journey led him first to The Retreat, where he progressed from Clinical Aide to Patient Care Coordinator (Case Manager) and ultimately to Behavioral Health Technician Manager for his final three years there. During much of this time, he simultaneously worked part-time at The GateHouse—a position he held for four years before focusing solely on his role at The Retreat.

Yannick as Fear from Inside OutWhen The Retreat unexpectedly closed last year, Yannick found himself drawn back to The GateHouse, where he now works as a counselor—helping others on the same journey he once traveled.

“The deciding factor was knowing the people there,” Yannick said. “I knew the person who would be my supervisor. I knew several people who were still there… they’re great people, and I love them all. It was just an easy decision.”

While continuing his work at The GateHouse, Yannick is also pursuing further education at Millersville University, building on the associate degree in social services he earned from HACC. Though he’s certain about his passion for social work, he’s considering moving beyond direct client work to focus on policy and grant writing.

“I would actually like to get involved more on the macro level,” he said.

Reflecting on his journey, Yannick acknowledges the many people who helped him along the way—from his mother who set firm boundaries, to the staff who held him accountable, to the AA members who showed up offering rides to meetings.

For Yannick, what began as merely following rules to avoid homelessness transformed into a life of meaning, connection, and service.

“Sometimes recovery finds you,” Yannick said, “even when you’re not looking for it.”

 

 

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.

 

Open post Hallie's Journey to Recovery

From Survival to Revival: Hallie’s Journey to Recovery

At age 41, Hallie Franceschi never thought she’d be here.

After decades trapped in addiction, multiple incarcerations, and losing custody of her children, she now wakes up each morning in her Mountville home with something she never had before: choices.

“I never thought that I would ever be here,” Hallie said, her voice filled with a combination of relief and disbelief. “The fact that I get to wake up today and decide what I want to do—and I can change my mind tomorrow if I want—I can do that now.”

But the path to this point was anything but straight.

Early Descent

Hallie’s struggle with addiction began early—around age 11 or 12. There was no gradual progression, no slow descent into substance use. As she put it, “It was off to the races as soon as I started.”

While her peers experimented with alcohol or marijuana, Hallie quickly gravitated toward harder substances … pills, heroin, “anything I could get my hands on,” she said. Even then, she felt like an outsider—someone missing what everyone else seemed to have.

“I could be in a room of my peers and just not feel part of the group,” Hallie said. “I always just felt like an alien, like I was missing something that everybody else was getting.”

Growing up in what she describes as a “good house” with working parents—her mother a nurse, her father a mental health services worker—Hallie was “the last person anybody would have thought would grow up and be a heroin addict.” Her parents’ divorce during her early teens created plenty of emotional turmoil, but it also created something else, too: opportunities for her addiction to flourish under decreased supervision.

The Spiral Continues

Despite her struggles with substances, Hallie managed to excel academically, taking accelerated classes and graduating high school. She even earned acceptance to the University of Pittsburgh, where she planned to study marketing and advertising design. But the pull of addictive substances proved stronger than her academic ambitions.

“I wasn’t able to show up for any of it,” she said. “Could I pass things? Could I write papers? Yes. I could kind of white-knuckle my way through it. But I could only go so far with that before professors were like, ‘All right, I don’t know what you’re doing, but you can’t do this.'”

Years of Survival

What followed was decades of what Hallie described as “living like an animal.” Her world shrank to a singular focus: drugs—how to get them and what she needed to do to obtain them. Everything else fell away.

The cost was devastating. She lost custody of her three children. Multiple arrests led to years of incarceration. Despite attempts to enter recovery and maintain sobriety through various programs, nothing stuck.

“I had completely accepted that this is what my life had become,” she said.

The cycle of substance abuse led to increasingly dangerous situations. She faced multiple DUIs, assaults, and other charges.

“Chaos was just kind of my jam,” she said, reflecting on years spent cycling through jail stays, failed attempts at stability, and deeper descents into addiction.

Rock Bottom and Beyond

Even during periods of apparent stability—maintaining jobs as an executive assistant or in commercial cleaning—her addiction always won.

“Who wants to show up for work?” she remembered thinking. “I want to go out and do drugs.”

The pattern seemed unbreakable until her final incarceration. This time, the court offered early release on one condition: she had to go to rehab. This ultimatum led her to Colonial House in York, PA, where she spent three months. It was there she first heard about The GateHouse and faced a fork in the road.

“I still had a home to go back to,” Hallie said, “but I knew if I did, it was just going to be the same thing. So, I took a leap of faith, listened to a couple of people, and ended up at The GateHouse.”

Finding Her Way at The GateHouse

When Hallie arrived at The GateHouse in May 2021, she said she was “a shell of a person.”

“I had nothing. I didn’t even have myself,” she recalls. “I wasn’t capable of holding a job. My clothes were disgusting. I had just spent the last 25 years surviving.”

The GateHouse became more than a recovery program for Hallie—it became a bridge back to humanity. Staff members helped her navigate the basics of modern life that had passed her by during years of substance abuse and incarceration. Simple things like electronic payments at stores or using ride-sharing apps were foreign concepts.

“They took me out and just showed me the world with this whole different mindset,” Hallie said. “They showed me that I can fit in somewhere without the use of drugs.”

Learning to Live Again

The program introduced Hallie to activities she’d never experienced before—bowling, miniature golf, movies with friends.

“These were not things that I did,” she said. “Just participating with other people that were staying straight and didn’t want to get high anymore, it was strange. Getting through all of that weird, awkward stuff was uncomfortable, but I did it.”

Through The GateHouse’s programs, Hallie progressed from Residential Extended Care to GateHouse Transitional Living. Each step built upon the last, helping her develop crucial life skills and self-confidence.

“They showed me how to do things for myself,” she said. “Nobody did anything for me. They just showed me what I could do. That empowerment—I can’t even explain how much that meant to me.”

Building a New Life

Today, Hallie has her own place, shares her home with a roommate she met at The GateHouse, and works at an aerospace engineering company. More importantly, she’s exploring new career possibilities that align with her desire to give back to others. She’s even reconnected with one of her children.

Her goals have evolved as she’s grown in recovery.

“Things that I thought I wanted, I no longer want,” she said. “I’m trying to find a job, a career that is more authentic to who I am and what I can contribute. That’s become super important to me.”

The Power of Support

As Lancaster County’s Extraordinary Give approaches, Hallie’s story exemplifies why The GateHouse is so vital. The transformation from survival to revival doesn’t happen in isolation—it requires support, structure, and a community that believes in second chances.

“Everybody deserves a chance at success,” Hallie said. “If I can do this, and if my life can change because of a place like GateHouse, it can happen for anybody. I’m not special. There are so many people just needing that little bit of extra encouragement, those little glimmers of hope that their lives can get better.”

When asked how it feels to be at this point in her life, Hallie paused for a moment and then smiled.

“It’s nice to get to a place where I feel like I can just breathe,” she said. “I can trust in the fact that, because I put the work in, I can figure it all out without burning my life to the ground. That is a wonderful feeling.”

 

Hallie (right) and her roommate in their new apartment after Hallie’s graduation from GateHouse Transitional Living.

 

During this year’s Extraordinary Give, please join us in ‘Giving Extra’ to help community members like Hallie continue their journey to recovery and build healthy, meaningful lives. Your support helps to provide a foundation that makes transformation possible. Visit our Extraordinary Give page to bookmark our page and make a contribution on Nov. 22.

 

 

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