SPRING 2025
WOODHAVEN WAY
Spring at Woodhaven Recovery has been a season of growth. As we welcome new residents and nurture the evolution of our community, we're reminded of the profound transformations unfolding. Every day is an opportunity for connection, personal development, and healing as we build an environment of hope and renewal.
Recovery at Woodhaven
Daily Practice, Lasting Growth
We continue to attend multiple meetings weekly throughout our community. Our weekly gatherings at Covenant remain one of our most meaningful connections, where residents witness powerful celebrations of long-term sobriety and receive their own milestone coins.
Each month, residents join alongside alumni and extended members of the Woodhaven family, witnessing milestone anniversaries that stand as living proof that sustained recovery is possible. Our recently expanded alumni events have strengthened this community, offering valuable insights from those further along in their recovery journeys.
Our alumni play a vital role in the recovery community, serving as speakers at alumni nights and as role models and mentors. Their lived experience provides powerful inspiration and practical guidance, showing our current residents that sustained recovery is not only possible but deeply rewarding.
Woodhaven Academy
Curiosity, Confidence, and Connection
Spring at Woodhaven Academy has been filled with momentum. Students engaged deeply with literature, including "Clean" by Amy Reed, taking on characters' voices in dramatic readings, and tackled the allegory "Who Moved My Cheese?" with a customized prologue connecting to their own experiences.
Our academic focus remains centered around personal relevance. Students collaborated on personal narratives, created symbolic art representing core values, and developed public speaking projects on topics they consider themselves "experts" in. Alongside these creative endeavors, students are making steady progress in core subjects, with coursework designed to meet individual graduation requirements.
Our Career Speaker Series has flourished with diverse professionals including attorney Laura Dalley, entrepreneur George Heckel, electrician Andrew Walker, musician Josh Balz, and financial and recovery leader Stephen D'Antonio. Each guest shared wisdom and encouragement, sparking connections and opening doors to future possibilities.
Expanding Horizons
Field Trips and College Exploration
Field trips have enriched our learning community with visits to the Steamtown National Historic Site, Electric City Trolley Museum, and the Aquarium. These experiences have helped students gain perspective on our region's industrial past while enjoying interactive learning. We look forward to upcoming adventures: a visit to Stepping Stones (home of Bill and Lois Wilson) and Fighter's Heaven, where we'll make meaningful connections between our recovery journeys and Muhammad Ali's inspiring story.
College tours have given our young men tangible visions of their academic futures. Visits to the University of Scranton, Penn State, Johnson College, and a hands-on glassblowing workshop at Keystone College have helped our students envision exciting possibilities for their lives beyond recovery. These experiences provide not just information about potential academic paths, but also inspiration for building fulfilling futures grounded in continued growth and recovery.
Clinical Engagement
In-Person Support
We are excited to strengthen our clinical support for residents. Our shift to in-person clinical services has made a meaningful impact, with residents valuing the steadiness and connection that comes from meeting face to face. This approach allows for more natural, supportive interactions in a setting that fosters genuine healing.
Our clinical services include twice-weekly group sessions, along with individualized sessions that address both mental health and substance use needs. Psychiatric care continues as needed, ensuring each resident’s emotional wellbeing is supported with care and consistency.
Recreation
Embracing Joy in the Journey
At Woodhaven, on-site activities are a vital part of daily life, offering opportunities for connection and joy. Events like the "in-house Olympics," group games including Monopoly and Rummikub, and casual activities such as basketball, pool, ping pong, and video game nights allow residents to unwind and bond over shared experiences. Even a simple recovery hike on our own property became a meaningful moment of reflection. These moments create a strong sense of belonging and pride, reinforcing the supportive atmosphere of our community.
Off-site activities continue to be a meaningful part of our recreation program, offering both balance, confidence, and connection. This spring, residents ventured out for bowling nights, trampoline parks, escape rooms, and classic arcade games. They hiked at Salt Springs and Little Rocky Glen, shared laughs during ice skating mishaps, supported each other through indoor rock climbing, and experienced the emotional depth of a Broadway-style production of Dear Evan Hansen. These adventures do more than entertain—they foster personal growth and camaraderie, reminding us all that recovery can be filled with joy, discovery, and shared moments of growth.
Family Engagement
Growing Together
Recovery is, at its core, a process of rebuilding. It's about reconnecting what may have been broken, strengthening what may have weakened, and learning to move forward together—even when the path feels uncertain. For families in recovery, this journey isn't walked alone. Each step is taken as a team: imperfect, learning, growing, and building.
Our Thursday night virtual support groups, led by three dedicated moms who have been walking this path for several years, continue to be a source of honesty, openness, and vulnerability. Recent topics have included repairing trust, navigating relapse, communicating more effectively, and even finding moments of joy amid the pain. Special events, like our conversation with Stephen D'Antonio, have offered encouragement and solidarity to those parenting through addiction. His reflections reminded us that while the journey is hard, none of us are alone in it.
As families continue to engage, support, and share with one another, something beautiful is unfolding: a growing parent community built on shared experience, mutual understanding, and deep compassion. We're not just parents of adolescents in recovery—we're a team, a collective force for healing, learning, and growth.
Family Day Moments:
Learning, Growing, and Celebrating Together
We hosted two Family Days—both centered on connection, education, and hope. Each day opened with an interactive presentation about addiction and recovery, followed by heartfelt family support groups. During our first gathering, residents gifted their parents hand-decorated pots filled with wildflower seeds—a simple but powerful symbol of growth, resilience, and renewal. Families then rolled up their sleeves to make sushi together and played a lively game of human bingo, filled with laughter and discovery.
At our second Family Day, we invited families to work together on a unique challenge: building bridges using only marshmallows and uncooked spaghetti. The activity was more than just creative fun—it became a living metaphor for recovery itself. Fragile, messy, and meaningful. Sometimes the structure falls. Sometimes we need to start over. But with patience, communication, and a willingness to keep trying, bridges do get built. And when they hold—even briefly—it reminds us that progress is always possible.
Strategic Planning
Preparing for What's Next
At Woodhaven, strategic planning is an essential part of the recovery journey—focused not just on what's happening now, but on what comes next. This spring, we've been working closely with residents and their families to thoughtfully plan next steps, whether that means visits home, a full transition back to the home environment, or moving on to Woodhaven on Mulberry.
Each plan is personalized, taking into account academic needs, emotional readiness, and long-term goals. We're actively coordinating with school districts, supporting applications to college, and ensuring that every young person is equipped with the tools they need to thrive beyond Woodhaven.
Strategic planning goes deeper than logistics—it's about preparing for a life that's healthy, purposeful, and grounded. That means putting the right supports in place, from therapy and education to peer connection and family involvement. It means helping each resident envision a future they can believe in, and taking meaningful steps toward making it real.
Woodhaven On Mulberry
Our residents of Woodhaven on Mulberry continue to make significant strides in their recovery and personal growth. Some are already attending college, while others are starting in the fall, and all are beginning to refine their career paths. Each is focused on building a future aligned with their individual goals and aspirations. They are active members of the recovery community, offering support and encouragement to one another.
Our Mulberry residents also visit the New Hope Lane Campus, where they serve as role models for the younger residents. Their time there has been invaluable, providing leadership and support while offering an opportunity to reflect on their own journeys and inspire others. Additionally, all Mulberry residents recently met with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to help refine their career paths and access available supports. They are actively working and gaining experience in the community, all while continuing to make progress toward their academic and professional goals.
Renovations at Woodhaven on Mulberry are underway, with updates to all common areas and bathrooms. These improvements will create a more comfortable and supportive environment as the residents continue to work toward their futures.
Chef Gavin
Bringing Heart and Flavor to Woodhaven
We bid a warm and grateful farewell to Chef Gavin, whose time at Woodhaven has left an indelible mark on our community. From day one, Gavin brought more than just culinary skill—he brought heart. His ability to create nutritious, flavorful meals—often infused with a creative twist on Middle Eastern cuisine—quickly made him a favorite among our residents. His dishes nourished not only their bodies but also offered comfort and joy.
But Gavin's impact extended well beyond the kitchen. Whether shooting hoops with the boys, sharing stories, or engaging in quiet, meaningful conversations, he built genuine connections that reflected his kindness and care.
As Gavin sets off on his next chapter—beginning with a Birthright trip to Israel, followed by an exciting summer culinary experience in New Orleans, and then on to the esteemed Culinary Institute of America—we send him off with pride, gratitude, and our heartfelt best wishes. We're confident his journey will be filled with flavor, purpose, and continued impact. And we can't wait to see where his talents take him next.
Looking Ahead
A Season of Growth and Joy
As we move into late spring, we're filled with anticipation for all that lies ahead. The coming weeks mark a time of meaningful transitions, continued progress, and joyful connection—hallmarks of life at Woodhaven.
Renovations at Woodhaven Cottage are nearly complete, soon launching the next phase of our residential continuum
Woodhaven on Mulberry renovations are now underway, with updates planned for all common areas and bathrooms
Special visits planned to Stepping Stones, the historic home of Bill and Lois Wilson
Meaningful trip to Fighter's Heaven, the former training camp of Muhammad Ali
Virtual visit from author Amy Reed, whose powerful novel Clean has been an impactful read for our students, offering a raw and honest portrayal of young people navigating recovery
Expansion of our Career Series with inspiring new speakers
More outdoor adventures coming soon—hiking at Buttermilk Falls, fishing and boating trips, and a local baseball game
Celebration of one resident's high school graduation and other academic milestones
Additional college visits as residents envision their next steps
Upcoming Family Days and community celebrations to strengthen bonds between residents, families, and staff
Late spring promises a beautiful blend of growth and joy, of challenge and celebration. We can't wait to share it with you.
With Grateful Hearts
Acknowledging the Journey We Share
As this season unfolds, we pause to reflect on the deep gratitude we hold for every member of the Woodhaven community. Recovery is never a solo journey—and the strength of this collective effort is what makes transformation possible.
To our Woodhaven families—thank you for entrusting us with your sons. Your unwavering support, your courage to stay present through uncertainty, and your patience as growth unfolds—sometimes slowly, sometimes all at once—form the backbone of our shared journey. We are honored to walk alongside you.
To our dedicated staff—your compassion, consistency, and quiet strength are what make Woodhaven more than a program. It is your belief in the work—and in each young man—that creates a space where healing takes root and hope is restored. You bring heart to every moment.
To the friends and families of our staff—your sacrifice, understanding, and support during long hours and emotional work make it possible for our team to show up fully for the young men we serve. Your behind-the-scenes support is truly invaluable to our mission.
To our partners and extended community—thank you for reminding us that recovery doesn't happen in isolation. Your collaboration, generosity, and willingness to come alongside our mission turn a path of struggle into one of possibility. You make recovery feel like belonging.
To our residents—thank you for your bravery. For showing up, for being honest, for trying again even when it's hard. Your willingness to grow, to be seen, and to choose change continues to inspire us. You are the reason we do this work, and we are endlessly proud of your progress.
Together, we've created something rare—a haven for hope and healing. And for that, we are deeply grateful.
At Woodhaven, we believe in the quiet courage it takes to begin again—and in the power of community to guide the way. We help boys develop the skills they need to live purposeful, meaningful lives. Here's to rediscovering yourself, moment by moment, with grace, strength, and hope.
