This spring, Odyssey House celebrates 50 years of service to New Yorkers in need of substance abuse and mental health treatment. In 1967, Odyssey House opened its doors as a drug-free Therapeutic Community (TC). The first Odyssey House program was located at Metropolitan Hospital in East Harlem and provided treatment for 17 ex-addicts; it quickly grew into one of the country’s preeminent therapeutic communities – catching the attention of public policy and medical experts.
Today, our programs span a range of populations and services for parents and families, youth and young adults, senior citizens, people with mental health and/or medical disabilities, the formerly homeless, and parolees transitioning back into society. We offer 24/7 intensive residential treatment, outpatient services, supportive housing, educational and vocational support, medical and dental care, health and wellness programs, and arts and recreation opportunities.
In 50 years, Odyssey House has grown into a multi-service behavioral health care organization recognized for its evidence-based, comprehensive services for New York’s most vulnerable individuals and families, advocacy in fighting the stigma of addiction, and leadership in securing on-going support for the recovery field.
As the year unfolds, we will be celebrating our 50th birthday in various ways, including our signature “Run for Your Life” recovery event on Saturday, September 24th and sharing monthly stories that highlight one of our special populations or programs. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating this significant milestone. Stay tuned for more!