Group Seeks to Improve Recovery Resources for Women

When the Charlestown Recovery House was built in 2008, its foundation was a commitment of time, passion and a love for the community. It reflected the work a group of local volunteers did, over the course of several years, to make the Recovery House a reality. 

But it was designed only to treat men suffering with alcohol and substance abuse. To this day, there are no beds available at the center for women, and no programs geared toward the unique needs of women who are either in recovery, or are directly affected by a loved one who is seeking help.

However, a group of local women — working in connection with the Recovery House — are doing their best to change that.

This year the Charlestown Women’s Recovery Initiative was launched to identify the needs of women in the community, and to start the hard work of building the resources to fill them. Peggy Carolan, who retired in 2009 as the executive director of the Charlestown Health Center, and now sits on Board of Directors for the Recovery House, is leading the initiative.

To get things started, the Women’s Recovery Initiative hosted a community meeting in January. Invitations went out to Charlestown residents who have worked with the Recovery House in the past or have some professional connection to the project. More than 40 people turned out — a pleasant surprise to Carolan.

“These were women who were seeking treatment, they were affected by substance abuse. There were service providers. And some people who just wanted to help,” Carolan said.

The goal of the meeting was to introduce the idea of the Women’s Recovery Initiative and start collecting feedback. Organizers want to first identify what the needs are locally, and then come up with a strategy to implement some concrete plans.

"We don't want to reinvent the wheel here," Carolan said. "We want to see what already exists and see where we can help."

There is a second meeting scheduled for this Sunday at the Constitution Inn YMCA from 2 to 4 p.m. Anyone interested in participating is welcome to attend, but Carolan is asking for RSVPs. You can contact her at 617-784-8192 or peggycarolan5753@gmail.com.

“Our goal was to make sure no one walks away from this process thinking this is the ‘same old, same old.’ We want them to walk away from this with a sense that this is something they can contribute to — and make a difference,” Carolan said.

Established organizations in Charlestown have been invited to participate in the process, including the Charlestown Mothers Association and the Charlestown Women's Club. 

"...we felt it was a perfect fit with the mission of our newly founded organization," said Kathy Giordano, president of the Women's Club. "After leaving their first meeting, we were heartened to realize that they had their act together - had done their research, contacted professionals - and would have the ability to accompliosh their goals of assisting women toward sobriety."

Carolan said this phase of the initiative would continue through early summer. After that, organizers will produce a report highlighting what they learned through the community process and make recommendations to the Board of Directors at the Recovery House for next steps. 

For more details, visit the Women’s Initiative page on the Charlestown Recovery House web site: www.charlestownrecoveryhouse.org/Women-s-Initiative.html.