Pennsylvania Chief Justice Debra Todd to Tour New Sober Women’s Residence in Scranton, Chief Justice to Serve as Keynote Speaker at Treatment Court Graduation

Contact:
Kelly Kostanesky
570-582-5045 | kellykostpr@gmail.com

Scranton, Pa., October 27, 2023 – Pennsylvania Chief Justice Debra Todd, the first female Chief Justice in the 300-year history of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, will visit Scranton on November 2 and tour The House Next Door, a sober living residence for women in recovery from substance abuse disorders, prior to serving as the keynote speaker at the Lackawanna County Treatment Court graduation ceremony.

The House Next Door, located on North 7th Avenue, promotes abstinence-based recovery. It was developed by the Recovery Rises Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that’s dedicated to creating opportunities, developing educational programs, and establishing environments that foster sustainable well-being for those with substance abuse disorders and their loved ones, who are committed to living a life in recovery.

Conrad Falvello, Esq., chair of the Recovery Rises Foundation board of directors said, “As someone who is a dedicated champion of empowering women, we are honored to have Chief Justice Todd visit Scranton, tour The House Next Door, and see the work we are doing at the Recovery Rises Foundation to serve the unmet physical, mental, and emotional needs of women in recovery.” Chief Justice Todd served as a Judge on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania from 2000 through 2007 before being elected to two ten-year terms on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. When she was sworn-in as Pennsylvania’s 58th Chief Justice, she spoke about what the historic milestone meant for women.

“Today my heart is full of joy and gratitude…for all the strong and determined women who paved the way and for those who supported me throughout my journey. It means the world to me to take the oath like so many distinguished jurists before me, while forging new ground for women and reaffirming my commitment to support, obey and defend the Constitution of the United States and of this commonwealth,” she said. “My path to this point has been guided by a belief which was instilled in me at an early age, that with hard work and dedication, little girls could achieve anything.”

As part of its mission to foster sustainable well-being for those who are committed to living a life in recovery, the Recovery Rises Foundation spent the past several years developing and constructing The House Next Door to provide women in recovery with a safe, beautiful, and comfortable place to pursue their recovery journey.

Brendan McGovern, executive director of the Recovery Rises Foundation, said the idea for The House Next Door was developed out of the foundation’s concern that women who are committed to serious recovery have access to everything they need to succeed. “Recovery Rises is the only foundation in Northeast Pennsylvania that deals exclusively with the addicted and their loved ones,” stated Mr. McGovern.

“Recovery Rises recognizes that the unmet needs of women are serious. Not only can the first year of recovery be isolating, but the stigma is much greater for women in recovery than men. The stressors are huge, especially for women with children,” states Treatment Court Judge Michael Barrasse. “These women are being provided with a safe place to stay free of charge so they can focus on their commitment to live a clean and sober life and provide for their families.”

Recovery Rises also provides women in recovery with the help they need by partnering with multiple community organizations. Residents at The House Next Door are guided in their recovery by other women who have been successfully clean and sober for many years.

Each woman will work with a case manger from Outreach Center for Community Resources to implement a workable plan that may include life skill/parenting training, mentoring, workforce development, and employment and court-related services. Volunteer behavioral health counselors are poised to assist them with the emotional aspects of their recovery. The Commission on Economic Opportunity’s Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank are  collaborating to provide residents with healthy food.

Finally, Recovery Rises has a close partnership with the Lackawanna County Treatment Court, a problem-solving court that offers evidence-based treatment, close supervision, and a continuum of community services to help individuals thrive, rebuild their families, and become productive members of society.

About The Recovery Rises Foundation
The Recovery Rises Foundation exists solely to support the addicted and their loved ones. We are dedicated to creating opportunities, developing educational programs, and establishing environments that foster sustainable well-being for those with substance abuse disorders and their loved ones, who are committed to living a life in recovery. To support the Foundation and to learn more, visit recoveryrises.org.