About Us
Did You know? | Serenity Prayer
Women’s Recovery Services (WRS) was founded in 1975 with the mission of providing residential addiction treatment exclusively for women, which was an innovative approach for that time period. Previously it was felt that gender specific treatment was not needed and that both sexes had the same issues. Over time it became apparent that women’s programs could provide a safe setting where problems, unique to them, could be addressed. We are licensed by the State of California to provide residential treatment to 20 women and 12 children at a time. We are in our 32nd year of continuous service. We have provided uninterrupted services since we began.
In the late 1980’s the perinatal (women with children) component was added which made treatment accessible for women who were custodial parents, usually single, and therefore unable to attend traditional residential programs. We continue to be the only residential perinatal program in Sonoma County as well as a very large geographic area north of Santa Rosa. Women were frequently unable to enter residential treatment as fragmented family relationships, due to addictive lifestyles, left them without anyone to care for their children while they participated. Many were fleeing abusive situations for themselves as well as their children.
In 1999 we became Sonoma County’s first non-smoking addiction treatment program, in a large part to protect the children from second hand tobacco exposure as well as to give the children the opportunity to see smoke-free mothers to role model after. We may be the first tobacco-free addiction program in the State of California. In 1997 we purchased our first transitional house for mothers, with children to live for periods of up to two years. In 2003 we purchased this six building facility which includes, but is not limited to an apartment building which becomes home to them for the three months in treatment, a separate staffed Children’s Program and a small medical clinic. In addition to an Administration Building there are buildings for Program Services and laundry and food storage.
Women attend an additional nine (9) months of staff-facilitated AfterCare to support what was learned in the first ninety (90) days of residential treatment. In addition this is a period where relationships with sober peers that began in treatment can deepen. Clients who stay with Women’s Recovery Services for this year of treatment have a 50% chance of staying free from drugs, alcohol, domestic violence and keeping their children in safe places to prevent any further child abuse. Annual follow-up studies at this program, demonstrate that of the 90 women and 40 children who live in this treatment program, 40 women and as many as 25 children, each year, will thereafter live free from addiction and abuse, and if/when threatened, will know how to request intervention and protection.
Up to four (4) women and their children may transition into the transitional house WRS owns and case manages. We provide continued Parenting Education to the women who live there. These four (4) family units may live in the safety of this house for up to two (2) years. This gives them an opportunity to return to educational pursuits interrupted by their addiction. They will be able to be more selective when they look for employment, starting with part time work and moving into full time employment.
- WRS provides almost 10,000 24-hour treatment days per year
- WRS allowed 12 clean & sober babies to be born last year
- WRS provides 37,000 nutritious gourmet meals every year
- WRS provides 11,000 baths/showers every year
- WRS provides 30,000 washer/dryer loads of clothes every year
- WRS provides 15,000 diapers every year
- WRS provides bicycle helmets for children in treatment
- WRS became the first tobacco-free licensed facility in 1999
- WRS owns and operates a transitional home and cabin for women who have successfully completed our residential program.
- WRS provides on-site educational classes and child care 6 hours per day
- WRS appreciates YOU and YOUR support. $1 in treatment saves $7 in taxpayer costs”
“WHEN SHE HAS REACHED HER END…WE ARE THE BEGINNING”
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things
I can not change,
the courage to change
the things I can,
and the wisdom to know
the difference