We’re glad you’re here.
At Odyssey House, we believe in transparency, community, and celebrating progress. Our News Archive is a place where you can explore the stories that have shaped our work—milestones in recovery, moments of advocacy, community events, and the voices of those we serve.
Whether you’re a long-time supporter or just learning about us, this archive offers a window into the heart of our mission.
Here’s what you’ll find:
- Newsletters – Browse through years of Odyssey House News, our twice-yearly publication highlighting client achievements, program updates, and staff stories.
- Event Coverage – See recaps and photos from our 5K run, art openings, community celebrations, and special gatherings.
- Recognition & Impact – Read about awards, partnerships, and the measurable impact of our programs.
- Archives by Month – Looking for something specific? Use the filter to find what you’re looking for quickly.
How to Navigate:
- Use the sidebar menu or dropdown to select a specific year or topic.
- Click on any headline to read the full post.
- Want to read our most recent updates? Head to the main news page for the latest stories.
If you have questions or are looking for something you can’t find, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always happy to help.
Thank you for being part of the Odyssey House community. We hope you enjoy exploring our story.
Ready, Set, Play!
The children at Family Re-Entry now have a beautiful new playground! More than 150 volunteers from Odyssey House, KaBOOM!, KOOL-AID and our community partners braved the rain to assemble the playground and build the side projects. We were joined by a few very special...
Aetna grant supports oral health education program for children
Recently, two of our foundation partners from Aetna – Miguel Centeno, vice president of strategic market development, and Christopher Montross, vice president and assistant controller – visited Odyssey House to see our dental clinic in action.Last year, the Aetna...
Growing green at the MABON
In our latest newsletter, we talked about our Green Team and how they’re working to make Odyssey House more environmentally friendly. One of the projects the Team has been working on is a vegetable garden at our MABON facility. Below are the first photos from the...
Playground design & volunteer information
Based on the childrens' designs, KaBOOM had three beautiful playgrounds designed for us. After polling the parents and children at Family Re-Entry, a clear winner emerged:The playground includes a spiral slide, monkey bars, activity panels and ladders. In addition, a...
Designing a dream playground!
Kool-Aid and organizers from KaBOOM! hosted a Design Day for children and families at Odyssey House to begin planning a brand new playground for Family Re-Entry. The children and their parents put crayon to paper to brainstorm and draw their dream playgrounds, which...
For Parolees, “Dirty” Urine Doesn’t Mean a Trip Up the River
Our Spring 2009 newsletter is now available!
The Spring 2009 edition of Odyssey House News is now available online. Read about our Green Team, latest art projects, new services and more. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments or on our Facebook wall. Click here to read it (pdf). If you’d...
Law & Order episode filmed at Odyssey House to air May 20th
As previously mentioned, Law & Order came to Odyssey House this month to film scenes for an upcoming episode, titled "Skate or Die." The episode is scheduled to air on Wednesday, May 20th at 10 pm on Channel 4/NBC.*We hope you enjoy the show! Let us know what you...
Odyssey House & KOOL-AID team up to build new playground
Children in Family Re-Entry will be getting brand-new playground through a community-led project sponsored by KOOL-AID.The children will have the opportunity to design their dream playground on Design Day, May 1st. The designers will base the final blueprint on the...
Local artist volunteers with 6th Street teens
Collage artist Chad Porter has been volunteering with teens at the Leadership Center to create a series of 4 murals to be shown at our upcoming art show in July. Check back soon for more information about the art show.Chad, on the left, working with teens on one of...
Save the Date! Odyssey House Theatre Project debut performance
Please contact info@odysseyhouseinc.org for more information.
Odyssey House hosts Law & Order shoot
Law & Order came to Odyssey House last week to film a few scenes from an upcoming episode, “Skate or Die.” The set designers transformed the Mabon building into an area at Riker’s Island and a homeless shelter. To accommodate the shoot, Mabon staff planned a...
Local schoolchildren offer encouragement to Outpatient clients
Clients at Outpatient Services received a special gift yesterday – encouragement bracelets from elementary schoolchildren in the Bronx. Talya Moncrease’s first-grade class at P.S. 130 participated in a lesson on appreciating differences and overcoming obstacles. The...
Guest Blogger: Peter Provet responds to NY Times article
Today, the New York Times published an article (“To Trim Costs, States Relax Hard Line on Prisons”) on the increasing number of states relying on alternatives to incarceration as a means of cutting costs. Eventually it had to stop. The fact that hard economy reality...
Guest Blogger: Peter Provet on the Rockefeller drug laws
As Governor David Paterson moves to overhaul New York State’s Rockefeller drug laws, legislators, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials need to throw their weight behind an established treatment program that offers so much more than just an alternative to...
Teens in treatment begin theater workshop
Beginning today, 15 teens in treatment at Odyssey House will be participating in a three month playwriting workshop, the Odyssey House Theatre Project. The teens will participate in all stages of the playwriting process, from concept development to stage production....
NYS launches two new addiction resources
The Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) recently unveiled two new resources: a new toll-free telephone “hopeline” and a website where New Yorkers recovering from addiction can tell their stories.The hopeline – 1-877-8-HOPENY – offers confidential...
Sentencing commission calls for reform
The Commission on Sentencing Reform issued its final report yesterday calling for major reforms of New York's drug laws. The report includes a number of recommendations of significance to Odyssey House, given our new parolee program and resources as a community...
Save the Date! 4th Annual Run for Your Life 5K Fun Run/2 Mile Walk
Mark your calendar! Our annual run/walk is scheduled for Saturday, September 26th. Please join us in celebrating National Recovery Month!
East Harlem Supportive Housing Development: Construction Update #1
Construction is progressing rapidly on the 50-apartment, long-term housing development at 123rd Street in East Harlem. The building will provide a supportive, independent living environment for individuals who have overcome mental health problems and drug, alcohol...
Odyssey House promotes Colleen Beagen to Vice President
It is with great pleasure that we announce the promotion of Colleen Beagen to Vice President and Director of Human Resources. She will also assume the role of Corporate Compliance Officer, overseeing and managing compliance with regulatory requirements as well as with...
Benoit Denizet-Lewis visits Odyssey House ElderCare Program
Benoit Denizet-Lewis, right, with Jon Roberts, Senior Counselor at Odyssey House, and Janice. Benoit Denizet-Lewis, author of America Anonymous: Eight Addicts in Search of a Life, spent the afternoon at Odyssey House reading from and discussing his new book with a...
Odyssey House NYC Marathon Team featured on HBO Real Sports
HBO Real Sports revisits a fascinating story of determination and achievement they first covered in 2006 when correspondent Mary Carillo profiled the Odyssey House NYC Marathon team. Mary and the team take a look back at the 2006 race and catch up with the former...
From the Field: Substance Abuse: A 12-Step Primer for Change
Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly By Peter Provet, Ph.D. As we move towards the Presidential election and change continues to be the candidates' overarching clarion call, there has been little, if any, discussion about changing the devastating trajectory of...
Our Fall 2008 newsletter is now available!
The Fall 2008 edition of Odyssey House News is now available online. Read about our Run For Your Life event, latest art project, new programs and more. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments or on our Facebook wall. Click here to read it (pdf). If...
Odyssey House and Philadelphia Insurance Companies Ring NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell
Odyssey House joined Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY) on Tuesday, July 22nd to ring the NASDAQ stock market opening bell. Brian O'Reilly, Regional Vice President of Sales and Marketing for PHLY, said, "Philadelphia Insurance Companies is committed to the...
Odyssey House to Run Collaborative Program with New York Corrections
Odyssey House chosen to run groundbreaking recidivism reduction program
“First of its kind” collaborative program targets New York’s chemically dependent parole population (New York, June 16, 2008): Odyssey House has been chosen to run New York’s first collaborative treatment for chemically dependent parolees. The new 30-day program will...
Women in Drug Treatment
Letter to the Editor, by Peter Provet, Ph.D. The New York Times To the editor: RE: "Why is Mom in Rehab?" by Charles M. Blow The simple answer is trauma, poverty, lack of support and threat of losing her children. Since crack cocaine burst on to the scene in the...
Our Spring 2008 newsletter is now available!
The Spring 2008 edition of Odyssey House News is now available online. Read about how we went Tobacco-Free, latest art show, new services and more. Check it out and let us know what you think in the comments or on our Facebook wall. Click here to read it (pdf). If...