2025 Annual Report
Moving forward together with courage.
TOGETHER WITH COURAGE
Chris Budnick, Executive Director
Looking back on this past year, I am moved by the courage that lives within the walls of Healing Transitions. It showed up in our Board of Directors, who championed our staff and participantds amidst uncertainty in the future of the nonprofit sector; in our staff, who navigated life-or-death moments with compassion; and in our participants, who showed up again and again to fight for the lives they deserve. Courage shaped every moment of the last year. I am profoundly proud of our Village for facing the unique challenges of 2025 head-on to keep our innovative, peer-based, recovery-oriented services accessible, as many times as it takes. This work is not easy, and at times, it can be scary. Yet each day, our Village returns to do the work. We stand firm. We stand together. And we stand with courage. To every member who bravely showed up for recovery in 2025: thank you.
OUR 2025 MILESTONES
WOMEN’S COURTYARD CONSTRUCTION FINISHES
As part of our FORward TogetHER Capital Campaign, we thoughtfully transformed the Women’s Campus courtyard into a vibrant space that fosters healing, connection, and family reunification. With guidance from renowned artists Thomas Sayre and Jess Todd-Marrone, as well as the input of our participants, the newly completed courtyard now includes a playground for child visitation and a welcoming outdoor environment where women in recovery can gather, reflect, and fellowship with their community.
FREEDOM HARVEST DONATIONS NEARLY QUADRUPLE
Our annual Freedom Harvest event, generously hosted award-winning Chef Scott Crawford, continues to grow in both size and impact. What began as an intimate dinner for close supporters has evolved into a vibrant evening of generosity, featuring a silent auction, paddle raise, and raffles that more than quadrupled donations from previous years. Surrounded by delicious food, fellowship, and a shared commitment to recovery, our Village came together to support the life-saving work happening at Healing Transitions.
MEN’S SHELTER AND KITCHEN EXPANSION FINISHES
Another key part of our Recovery Can’t Wait Capital Campaign, the expansion of our Men’s Shelter and Kitchen is now complete. The renovation allows us to serve more individuals while creating a space that fosters dignity and connection. With larger kitchen and communal areas, participants can share meals, build relationships, and strengthen the supportive community essential to recovery. More than just a shelter, the upgraded space is a place where men can heal, grow, and feel truly at home.
OAKWOOD24 MOVES TO NEW LOCATION
Though bittersweet, over the past seven years, Oakwood24 has grown beyond the capacity of Oakwood Cemetery. We’re deeply grateful for the seven amazing years we were welcomed there and for the Cemetery’s unwavering support in helping our event thrive. This year, we moved to Lakeside Retreats, creating room for more runners and family-friendly activities in a beautiful natural setting, where attendees enjoyed cheering on ultra marathoners and connecting in community.
MONEY TALK
TOTAL REVENUE – $8,046,629
GOVERNMENT
SOURCES
PRIVATE
DONORS
IN-KIND
DONATIONS
MISCELLANEOUS
SOURCES
TOTAL EXPENSES – $9,343,675
MEN’S
PROGRAM
WOMEN’S
PROGRAM
ADMINISTRATIVE
FUNDRAISING
ENTERPRISE
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
In 2025, we experienced a substantial operating deficit that reflects a period of significant growth and intentional investments in staff wages alongside the broader financial pressures impacting the nonprofit sector. Our deficit was anticipated, and through strong strategic financial planning and the use of healthy operating reserves, we remained stable and fully operational. Looking ahead to 2026, we’ve already begun to implement new revenue streams, diversify our funding portfolio, and identify cost-saving measures to bolster our long-term financial sustainability and health. We are inspired by what the future holds and confident in our path forward. Support from our village helps us meet urgent needs today while strengthening our organization for the future..
2025 IMPACT STATS
501
PARTICIPANTS
SEEN IN CLINICS
2,251
VOLUNTEER
HOURS
4,337*
PEOPLE
SERVED
(unduplicated*)
427
AVERAGE
DAILY CENSUS
$55
PROGRAM COST
PER PERSON,
PER DAY
3,831
SUCCESSFUL
OUTREACH
ATTEMPTS
(contact made)
508
NEW DONORS
$41,315
GIVEN IN PRESCRIPTION
ASSISTANCE
156,169
BEDS
PROVIDED
66
SILVER CHIP
GRADUATES
(47 men,
19 women)
395,389
MEALS
SERVED
$8.73M
IN ALUMNI TAX
WITHHOLDINGS
$123,161
IN ALUMNI WAKE COUNTY
PROPERTY TAXES PAID
*Unduplicated persons – to accurately report how many people we serve, we count a participant only once,
no matter how many direct services he/she/they received in a year.
FORWARD TOGETHER
Access to recovery-oriented and affordable housing is a significant barrier to women alumni of our long-term recovery program. Too often women, especially single mothers, are forced to return to unsafe environments in order to live together with their children. With FORward TogetHER, alumnae will live alongside peers in recovery creating a supportive, family-centered community. For residents with children, the community will have the space and resources to help them thrive. Supported by Healing Transitions’ peer-oriented model and affordable rents, women can keep their families intact while building productive lives in recovery.
$14M FOR INNOVATION
The new 30,000-square-foot building has 16 two- and four-bedroom apartments, common areas to include laundry and community rooms, meeting and mentoring spaces for new programming to support women in recovery as they rebuild their lives and families, and a redesigned Recovery Courtyard with gathering spaces to accommodate more women and children.
APARTMENT CONSTRUCTION AND UNIT FINISHES
CAMPAIGN COSTS AND TWO-YEAR OPERATING RESERVE
REDEVELOPMENT OF WOMEN’S COURTYARD
To learn more about FORward TogetHER, please click here.
THE JOURNEY
Each person who walks through our doors brings with them a unique story. For many, their path to recovery wasn’t easy and presented notable challenges. Yet, time and again, we witness insurmountable courage and perseverance. Here are two stories of Healing Transitions alumni who have risen to the challenge and are now fully embracing life in recovery.
MEET JOY
Joy first came to Healing Transitions at crossroads, facing a stark choice between 15 years to life in prison, or committing to recovery.
What began as a decision driven by fear became a life transformed, leading her to four years of sobriety, a successful career, and a renewed sense of purpose helping others. As she says, “Just hold on, because what’s coming is greater than anything you could ever imagine.”
Today, as Silver Chip Alumni #328, Joy is Healing Transitions’ Finance Manager, a loving grandmother of three, and a full-time student. Through recovery, and self-discovery, she has transformed her life and continues to inspire others every day.
MEET CHAUN
Chaun’s journey with substances began casually, but over the years, his use escalated, and the consequences grew impossible to ignore. Eventually, he lost everything he held dear: his wife, his dog, and his home.
Twelve hours after leaving detox, refusing long-term recovery, Chaun hit rock bottom. He realized continuing down the same path would lead him nowhere, or to his death. “I know what the streets offer, but let’s see what Healing Transitions can do for me.”
In 2024, Chaun became Silver Chip Alumni #1115. Today, he serves as the Administrative Assistant at the Men’s Campus, using his journey to guide and support other men seeking lasting recovery.
THANK YOU!
We are deeply grateful to the donors who make our mission possible through their generosity and trust. Whether your giving is directed towards general operations, our capital campaigns (Recovery Can’t Wait or Forward Together), or our endowment fund, each investment plays a vital role in sustaining life-saving recovery services. Because of you, hope remains accessible and healing remains possible for those who need it most.
A special thank you to our Recovery Champions, who give more than $5,000 in a calendar year. Your generosity fuels our mission and makes recovery possible for thousands in our community.