<< Back

Collaboration Offers Post-Treatment Sober Housing

August 02, 2024

The Ridge Recovery Center is collaborating with the Herren Project to provide affordable sober housing for clients who are transitioning from inpatient treatment to living in the community.

Herren Project was founded in 2011 by former professional basketball player Chris Herren, who has been in long-term recovery since 2008. It is a national nonprofit organization providing free resources and support for the treatment, recovery and prevention of substance use disorder. Treatment and recovery services include treatment placement assistance.

Herren Project is expanding into Connecticut and The Ridge will be one of three programs in the state to have access to Herren’s sober housing scholarship program, explained Lauren Galarneau, LCSW, LADC, ADS, clinical director of Adult Residential Services at The Ridge Recovery Center.

Under the collaboration, The Ridge has access to five scholarships per calendar year to help clients transition into sober living in the community. The program is expected to start in September.

Ridge clients can apply for the scholarships, Galarneau said. They can also choose the sober house in which they wish to live.

Supportive transition option

Under the program, Herren Project pays the first month’s rent (up to $200 per week) and then for the next three weeks Herren and the client split the cost on a sliding scale. The scholarship ends after seven weeks.

“This allows our client to afford sober housing” after leaving inpatient treatment, Galarneau said. “Sometimes their home can be a triggering or unsafe environment, and they need a place to make their transition successful. This gives them that safe, supportive environment with the worry of paying rent. So they can get settled and find a job.”

Galarneau noted that the Herren Project reached out to The Ridge to propose the partnership. As part of its mission, Herren partners with treatment centers. The program is called The Consortium for Recovery, and it has been operating in New Jersey for four years. Currently the New Jersey program funds 35 scholarships annually.
The Herren Project has a 62% completion rate of this program after six months of sober living in the community, Galarneau said.

“It will help our clients successfully transition back to the community and maintain their sobriety,” she said.

> Want more health news? Text StartHere to 85209 to sign up for text alerts