RALEIGH (April 23, 2018) – Healing Transitions, an addiction recovery program in Raleigh, marked two major milestones in its history this month: graduating 1,000 participants through the recovery program and providing 1 million beds of shelter to homeless men in the community since the program opened in 2001. In addition, Healing Transitions has provided 330,000 beds of shelter to women at its women’s campus since 2006.

“Since we first opened 17 years ago, our priority has been to provide caring, compassionate support to anyone who walked through our doors, ready to begin their recovery journey,” said Chris Budnick, Executive Director at Healing Transitions. “I am proud of all of our staff and participants who have worked tirelessly together to make this happen.”

Healing Transitions is the only long-term, peer-based recovery program in Wake County that provides on-demand services, and individuals can remain in the program as long as needed until they’re in recovery.  The non-profit provides peer-to-peer recovery services to homeless and underserved individuals with alcoholism and other drug addictions. The program is free to all participants, and unlike typical 28-day programs, they can stay as long as needed for a full recovery. It is designed to rekindle a person’s desire and ability to return to a meaningful and productive life. The organization serves over 290 men and women each day, and 76 percent of the program’s graduates remain drug- and alcohol-free one year after graduation.

“I’m forever grateful for everyone at Healing Transitions,” said Mario Hairston, the 1,000th participant to graduate from Healing Transitions’ recovery program on April 19. “There were nights when I was sleeping under bridges and in abandoned apartments, and I just prayed for a way out. And now, ten years later, I’ve found it here.”

“I’ve been through two other treatment programs but none were like this,” Hairston added. “Other programs were all about the outside problems – helping me get a job, pay my bills. But Healing Transitions addressed the exact nature of my addiction. It got at the heart of the problem for me, and that’s why I’m here today.”

Watch videos and read stories from other recent graduates to learn more about the lasting impact Healing Transitions has had on the community.

 

Fast Facts on Healing Transitions

  • It costs $37 to provide support services to one person per day. A national survey recently found that every $1 spent on treatment saves $4 in health care costs and $7 in criminal justice costs.
  • Since opening in 2001, Healing Transitions has provided 1 million beds of shelter on its men’s campus and 330,000 beds of shelter at its women’s campus.
  • 1,000 men and women have graduated from Healing Transitions’ recovery program.
  • 98 percent of alumni are in stable housing one year after graduation.
  • 90 percent of alumni find employment within one year of graduating.
  • Healing Transitions provides support services to those in need 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
  • Together with its other community partners, Healing Transitions has helped to reduce homelessness in Wake County by 25 percent.