Woodhaven Way
Fall 2025
Welcome to the Fall 2025 edition of the Woodhaven Recovery newsletter.
WHERE HOPE DEEPENS AND RECOVERY GROWS
A Season of Growth
Fall at Woodhaven arrived quietly this year. The mountains shifted into softer colors, the air cooled, and our days took on a steady rhythm as our teen recovery community in Northeastern Pennsylvania continued to grow. As the season changed, so did our community. We now have twelve residents on our New Hope Lane campus and seven young men at Woodhaven on Mulberry. Each family, each arrival, and each story has continued to strengthen the connection that grows here.
This fall, we opened Woodhaven Cottage. Sitting beside the Manor, the Cottage offers a bridge between structure and independence. Young men practice daily living skills and build confidence while remaining supported by the Woodhaven community. Mulberry continues to be a place where residents step into young adulthood, return to mentor newer boys, and imagine futures that once felt out of reach.
Progress this season has shown up in both quiet and remarkable ways. Seniors are completing college applications and walking through campuses they once only imagined. Parents joined family groups and spoke honestly about boundaries, forgiveness, and change. Boys learned new skills in the kitchen and in the community, around campfires and in classrooms, and in moments of laughter that reminded them what it feels like to be young and enjoy life.
This has been a season of deepening roots. Stronger connections. Clearer voices. Growing trust in the process of healing. We are proud of every young man who has chosen to stay, to try, and to take one more step forward. We are grateful for every family who continues to walk this road with hope.
We remain grateful, steady, and hopeful for all that is still to come, one day at a time.
Fall brought change to the mountains and to our community
Recovery Principles
Recovery Is Lived, Not Just Taught
Recovery at Woodhaven is built on daily practice and honest conversation.
This season's recovery groups focused on repairing relationships and making amends through actions rather than words. The boys practiced noticing when they owe an apology and offering it promptly. They explored what motivates them each morning and how sobriety helps them move toward goals that once felt out of reach.
We began a weekly group using the book As Bill Sees It. Themes of acceptance, fear, identity, and courage rose again and again. The boys asked important questions: Who am I now? Who am I becoming? They are learning that recovery does not erase their story; it reshapes it and makes room for what comes next.
Each resident works through the step process with a staff member using our curriculum. Our community explored new meetings across the region, and two of our Woodhaven on Mulberry residents helped start the first Young People's AA meeting in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Residents attend regularly and value being surrounded by other young people choosing sobriety.
Service showed up in quiet ways this season. Senior residents drove hours to welcome new arrivals, offering reassurance and connection before the boys ever stepped inside the house.
Around the fire and in the Summit, alumni, staff, and visiting speakers shared their stories. These moments reminded everyone that recovery is a shared experience, shaped by community, and lived one day at a time.
Community shapes the journey as much as the steps themselves
Woodhaven Academy
Building Futures Through Education
Classroom learning this fall went far beyond coursework. Our teacher created a space where students feel safe to take risks, ask questions, and grow in confidence. The boys explored the cycle of addiction, the brain's response to substances, and the connections between academic work and recovery. They wrote multiple essays while developing journaling and goal-setting habits. They practiced public speaking, self-monitoring, and respectful dialogue.
This fall marked the beginning of our dual enrollment partnership with Keystone College. Several students are earning both high school and college credit through College Math and Introduction to Sociology. Six students enrolled in the math course, and two are completing their sociology credits.
Our seniors focused on college preparation throughout the season. Families attended our College Overview Night, where staff explained admissions, financial aid, and the academic supports available for students in recovery. Families asked thoughtful questions, and our seniors spoke openly about their hopes and plans.
Campus visits played an important role this fall. Our seniors toured the University of Scranton and Penn State Scranton. At Penn State Main Campus, they participated in a seminar with the collegiate recovery community, led by a former Woodhaven on Mulberry resident. Each young man shared his experience, strength, and hope alongside college students in recovery, returning with a stronger sense of possibility.
This year, Woodhaven Academy introduced a Student of the Quarter award, recognizing a young man who demonstrates resilience, steady participation, and a positive approach to learning. His growth reflects the effort and intention we see across the classroom.
Education at Woodhaven is more than academics. It is about building independence, strengthening routines, and helping our young men discover what they are capable of. We are proud of their work and the confidence that continues to unfold.
Where curiosity returns and possibilities expand
Clinical Engagement
Tools for Healing and Growth
This fall, residents continued their clinical work with a focus on emotional awareness, communication, and healthier responses to stress. Groups encouraged reflection, honest dialogue, and skills that support long-term recovery.
DBT skills remained central. Boys practiced distress tolerance, grounding strategies, and learning to pause before reacting. These tools show up in daily interactions, helping them communicate more calmly and make choices that align with their goals.
Identity work was a meaningful theme this season. One session titled "Who Are You?" invited boys to explore their values, strengths, fears, and hopes. Engagement was remarkable. These conversations remind residents that who they were before recovery is not all they can become. There is room to grow.
Clinicians also supported parents in their own healing by exploring boundaries, emotional regulation, and family dynamics. Family recovery unfolds gradually, and parents continue to show patience, compassion, and steadiness as they walk this path alongside their sons.
Where emotional awareness becomes emotional strength
Recreation
Learning to Live Fully Again
Recreation at Woodhaven builds confidence, connection, and joy. This fall, our boys rediscovered that life in recovery can be full of fun and adventure.
Seasonal traditions brought the community together. Halloween meant pumpkin carving, apple orchards, and our annual trip to Reaper’s Revenge. At Lackawanna State Park, Environmental Education Specialist Tony DeSantis introduced the boys to kayaking and fishing while sharing lessons about local wildlife. A bald eagle flying overhead became a moment no one will forget.
Physical activity remained an important part of daily life. The gym stayed a favorite. Rock climbing challenged boys to work through hesitation with encouragement from peers. The trampoline park brought out energy and laughter, and an escape room challenge taught teamwork and the power of asking for help.
Quieter days offered fireside conversations, music sessions, game nights, and the November Challenge. Movies, bowling, arcade nights, and dinners out added variety and simple joy.
The boys explored local history through the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour and volunteered at Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, helping with barn chores and connecting with rescued animals.
These moments help our young men rediscover joy and remember what it feels like to share it with friends.
Recovery includes rediscovering what it means to simply enjoy life
Family Program
Support, Connection, and Understanding
Our family program is essential to the healing process. This fall, our families showed remarkable honesty, courage, and connection.
We welcomed respected leaders throughout the season. Michael Otey, a family educator with more than 30 years of experience, shared wisdom on the phases of parenting and the courage needed to guide a child through recovery. Laura Ezell and Hunter Krauch from Arch Academy spent two days with us, strengthening the connection between our communities and offering encouragement to residents and parents.
Family Days were filled with meaningful activities. Families built shelters using unusual materials, painted Halloween scenes on our dining room windows, and competed in Family Feud. Friendsgiving brought families together around tables filled with dishes they lovingly prepared.
Weekly Virtual Family Group remained a steady source of support. Parents shared openly, asked questions, and offered encouragement to one another. Topics this season included boundaries, progress over perfection, and the ongoing work of family recovery. Seasoned parents have begun helping to facilitate discussions, demonstrating the strength and compassion that grow from shared experience.
The strongest families we see are not the ones who have everything figured out. They are the ones who continue to show up, learn, and support one another. That is what builds community and creates hope.
Strategic Planning
Building Lives with Purpose
Strategic planning this fall focused on preparing young men for independence, adulthood, and life beyond Woodhaven.
The Office of Vocational Rehabilitation met monthly with residents, offering education and practical preparation for the workplace. Sessions included resume writing, interview skills, workplace expectations, and career exploration. These opportunities equip our young men with the tools they need for future success.
Life skills remained a key part of our work. Residents practiced cooking, managing calendars, planning routines, and handling hands-on tasks such as changing brakes and rotating tires. These experiences build confidence and a growing belief in their ability to handle everyday responsibilities.
Communication skills were also a focus. The boys analyzed their social media presence, practiced public speaking, and reflected on how they want to present themselves as young adults. These conversations help prepare them for the expectations they will face in college and the workforce.
Seniors continued exploring college options and began shaping plans that support both their academic goals and their recovery. We also collaborated with home districts to create academic transition plans for students preparing to return to their communities.
Building a meaningful life requires more than sobriety. It requires skill, confidence, and purpose. That is the work we will continue to prioritize.
The strongest support comes from those who truly understand
Independence is built through practice, patience, and preparation
New Hope Lane Campus
Building for the Future
We are nearing completion of the final wing of bedrooms at the Manor. Finishing touches are underway, and we now have room for twenty-four residents. An additional common area has been added for social gatherings and group meetings.
This fall also brought the opening of Woodhaven Cottage. Sitting beside the Manor, the Cottage offers young men a bridge toward greater independence while remaining closely connected to the Woodhaven community. Residents practice daily routines, time management, and life skills while taking steps at a pace that matches their readiness.
The boys have made the Cottage feel like home, personalizing their rooms and creating a cozy environment. Together, the Manor and Cottage create a continuum of support that honors where each young man is in his journey.
Woodhaven on Mulberry
College, Career, and Community
Woodhaven on Mulberry remains a home where young adults build independence and explore new chapters in their lives. Our college-aged residents are attending classes, working, and supporting each other on their recovery journey. First-floor renovations are nearing completion, and residents are looking forward to beautiful new living areas that promote connection and provide space for studying. The new dining area will be a place to share meals and build community.
We are proud that two Mulberry residents helped create the first Young People’s AA meeting in Northeastern Pennsylvania. This group has strengthened recovery throughout the region and offers young people a place to connect and feel understood. They also hosted a Friendsgiving celebration that brought young adults in recovery together from across the area.
Mulberry residents continue to stay closely connected to New Hope Lane, offering encouragement, mentorship, and real examples of what long-term recovery can look like.
Each residence serves a different stage on the same journey toward independence
Community Recognition
Celebrating Courage and Commitment
This fall brought meaningful moments of recognition.
We celebrated one resident marking one full year of sobriety. Surrounded by his family and the Woodhaven community, he was honored for his courage and commitment. As our first resident at New Hope Lane, he has become a model of hope for others.
Luke DeRosa, our Lead Certified Recovery Specialist, received the Caron Foundation Community Youth Leadership Award for his dedication, compassion, and guidance. His presence reminds residents that the life they want is possible.
Our Family Program Facilitator, Deidre Krok, received Caron’s Unsung Hero Award for her steady support of families walking the path of recovery. Her compassion and understanding make families feel seen and supported.
Woodhaven Academy honored our Student of the Quarter for resilience, participation, and academic engagement. His effort reflects the strength that grows when a young person begins believing in himself.
We are grateful for every member of our community who contributes time, care, and hope to the work unfolding here.
Where effort, heart, and service meet
With Gratitude
We want to thank our residents, families, staff, and partners for walking this road together. The strength of Woodhaven is felt in shared meals, honest conversations, quiet moments, friendship, and the courage to keep trying when days feel difficult.
To our residents: thank you for doing the hard work and for trusting us. For trying again after setbacks. For asking for help when everything in you wants to hide. For being honest when honesty is hard. For supporting each other, for laughing together, and for proving every day that recovery is possible. You are the reason this work matters.
To our families: thank you for trusting us with your sons. Thank you for showing up to Family Days, for asking hard questions, and for believing in recovery even when it feels impossible. Your presence matters. Your honesty matters. The way you support one another creates a foundation for growth.
To our staff: thank you for the daily work that doesn't always make it into newsletters. For the early mornings and late nights. For the patience you show when a resident is struggling. For celebrating small wins and staying steady through setbacks.
To our alumni: thank you for coming back. For sharing your stories around the fire and in the Summit. For mentoring newer residents. For proving that recovery works and that life gets bigger and better when you stay committed to it.
To our community partners, treatment programs, and fellow providers: thank you for your faith in us, the collaboration, and the shared belief that adolescents deserve long-term support.
To our families and friends: thank you for your understanding and patience. For all the ways you make this work possible and for believing in its purpose.