Welcome to a new chapter for Passages to Recovery.

As Executive Director of Passages to Recovery, I am proud to share our new website with you—not just as a new look, but as a reflection of who we are becoming. This year marks our 50th anniversary, a milestone that invites both celebration and thoughtful evolution. For five decades, our organization has adapted to meet the needs of our community, and today is no different.

Passages to Recovery began as THE PROGRAM for Female Offenders, offering critical support at a time when few services existed for women involved in the criminal justice system. In the early 2000s, we expanded our reach as THE PROGRAM for Offenders, recognizing that recovery and reentry services must be inclusive and responsive. That spirit of growth continues to guide us. And in 2023, we became Passages to Recovery.

As part of this evolution, we have made the difficult but intentional decision to close our inpatient substance use treatment program. This change allows us to focus our resources where we see the greatest opportunity for impact. Our outpatient substance use disorder treatment program is being enhanced to provide more flexible, accessible, and individualized care for anyone in the community, and especially those who are involved with the justice system.

At the same time, we are investing deeply in our peer-to-peer recovery services. We know that connection, lived experience, and ongoing support are essential to long-term recovery. Our growing peer programs are designed to meet individuals where they are and walk alongside them every step of the way.

This is a moment of transition, and a defining step toward a stronger, and even more impactful future. Our mission remains the same: to support individuals on their path to recovery with dignity, compassion, and evidence-based care. What is changing is how we deliver on that mission—ensuring we are responsive to today’s challenges and prepared for tomorrow’s needs.

Thank you for being part of our community and for joining us in our next chapter.

Carol L. Bender

Executive Director