The Mosaic | Winter 2024 Edition

Message from the President and CEO

It's Black History Month. And, I find it fitting we are focusing this edition of the Mosaic on our Veterans Programs. Why? They were inspired by an African American, Ed Thompson. We made sure to include an article about this past legendary employee.

Reading his inspiring story, I am impressed by Ed Thompson's ingenuity and the history of innovation that followed. The veteran-specific treatment protocol was not replicated from another provider; it was developed in New York City by members of Samaritan Daytop Village staff. You can learn how the programs continue to evolve.

It takes a great amount of intuition, eperience, and knowledge to create something from scratch, then watch it grow into something that captures the attention of the nation. None of this is possible without the amazing employees behind the scenes. We place the spotlight on several of the programs’ leaders and share a memorable client success story.

Samaritan Daytop Village takes an integrated approach to delivering services. We work with specialized partners, combining our efforts to improve our clients’ mental, physical, and behavioral health. You can learn more about these partnerships as well as recent funding to support our treatment needs.

I can talk for days about the tremendous impact the Veterans Programs have on veterans in need. Yet, I have one example that summarizes it perfectly...

When I first joined the agency, I marched in the New York City Veterans Day Parade with our vets. Some of the clients had concerns about participating. They had been dishonorably discharged and felt embarrassed at the thought of participating in America’s largest celebration of military veterans. As we walked, I watched as those reservations melted away. By the end of the parade, they were swelling with pride. They had managed to separate their experience with addiction from their experience with their service. It was truly inspiring to see the transformation in person.

I hope you enjoy this edition of the Mosaic. As always, we thank all the employees, partners, and donors who help make Samaritan Daytop Village the place “Where Good Lives®.”

Best to you and yours,

Mitchell Netburn

President & CEO

Front and Center: Leading the Charge

Two of our Veterans Programs are located in New York City, home to nearly half of the state's vets. Click to learn more about two of the leaders behind the Ed Thompson and 43rd Street Veterans Programs..

Get to Know Us

A Day in the Life... Veterans in Treatment

Much like a soldier's highly structured day, clients in our Veterans Programs must also adhere to a rigidly planned itinerary of daily groups, trainings, and activities. Find out what a day in the life of a client at the Ed Thompson Veterans Center looks like.

See the Clients' Daily Schedule

World-Class Partners Enrich Client Experience

Federal, State, City, and private funding support the daily costs of operating our three Veterans Programs. Thanks to a growing list of partners, our clients are benefiting from an exciting addition of enhanced services and activities.

Get the Details

Ed Thompson: Veteran With A Vision

In Queens, the Ed Thompson Veterans Center treats up to 50 male veterans with substance use disorder and mental health needs. But who is the man the program was named after? And how did he inspire the creation of the Veterans Programs? In this edition, we share the story of Ed Thompson, who helped pioneer our veteran-specific treatment for substance use disorder.

Learn About Ed Thompson

A Look Back:

Women Veterans Program

Samaritan Daytop Village realized a dream when it opened the doors to the nation’s first Women Veterans Program (WVP) in 2011. The NYS OASAS-licensed facility was modeled after the two Veterans Programs the agency founded for male veterans in New York City. The opening captured the attention of CBS News, which visited the facility in Ellenville, NY .

Click to view the news story from 2011.

At WVP, clients struggling with substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health diagnoses focus on their health and well-being in an intensive 24/7 treatment program. As with the men’s programs, WVP leverages the comradery, communication styles, and disciplined structure of the military culture.

Women vets - honorably or dishonorably discharged - and their female family members (ages 18 and over) can be admitted for treatment. In addition to substance use disorder, the program addresses the traumas most commonly experienced by women, including sexual assault and abuse.

To learn how to enter the Women Veterans Program or make a referral, contact our Admissions team at (855) 322-4357 (HELP).

EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS:

Honoring Our Veteran Alumni Elite

When former clients have stayed in recovery for at least 5 years, it's a victory worth celebrating. The annual Veterans Black Tie Dinner honors these Veteran Alumni Elite, and recognizes the staff, partners, and community leaders who support them.

See Our Recap

Recovery & Basketball: Client Bounces Back from Addiction

Army veteran Wayne Malone seemed destined for basketball stardom. He competed in the Pan Am Games and played hoops for the military. But his transition to civilian life, he fell into a life of drugs. The 43rd Street Veterans Program and a partner's vocational program helped Wayne rebound to join the Veteran Alumni Elite.

Read Wayne's Story

Creating New Memories Through Sober Engagement

In our last edition, we shared the news about recently awarded funding for the Veteran Sober Engagement Program. In this edition, we provide a glimpse into the exciting activities and groups the funds are making possible this year.

Learn About Sober Engagement

One Veteran's Story: Deirdre Rice-Reese

Most people are familiar with our Veterans Program staff, or have at least one contact they know well. In all cases, there is a good chance they have met or heard of Deirdre Rice-Reese, AVP of Residential Treatment. The proud Air Force vet recounts her years in the military and the path that led her to Samaritan Daytop Village..

Get to Know Deirdre

LEGISLATIVE APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE

Samaritan Daytop Village received more than $630K in grant awards from the New York City Council and the New York State Assembly. Legislative appropriations help us enhance our services as well as the client experience. In gratitude, we are highlighting the awards and their sponsors.

Learn More

Ahead in 2024: Calendar of Events

Join Samaritan Daytop Village and Samaritan Daytop Foundation at upcoming events in the Spring.

MARCH - MAY

CASAC Exam Preparation

Samaritan Daytop CASAC Training Institute

March 2, 9, & 16, 2024

(Course dates available in June, September, and December)

Time: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Cost: $350 (full-tuition scholarships are available)

Requirement: Must have completed a 350-hour CASAC training course.

This three-day prep course (totaling 18 hours) is designed for candidates who are either scheduled or planning to take a CASAC exam.

To register and request a scholarship applicaiton, contact Tania Ruffin or email training@samaritanvillage.org.

Note: As an employee benefit, full-time Samaritan Daytop Village employees receive free CASAC training from the Samaritan Daytop CASAC Institute.

New York Association of Treatment Court Professionals - Annual Training Conference

Sponsor and Exhibitor

March 6-9, 2024

Saratoga Hilton

Saratoga Springs, NY

Virtual Narcan Training (Zoom)

PARC (Peer Alliance Recovery Centers)

2nd and 4th Fridays of the month

March 8 or March 22, 2024

April 12 0r April 26, 2024

May 10 or May 24, 2024

Time: 12-1:30 p.m.

Cost: Free

Learn the signs of an opioid overdose, what Narcan is, and how to administer it. Classes are online but in-person, group sessions can be arranged. Upon completion, students receive a free Narcan rescue kit.

To register, contact Jessica Feliciano, Patricia Benecke, or call 929-244-1445 (Queens) or 929-244-1500 (Bronx).