Cenikor Foundation announced it has joined forces with Odyssey House, Texas to form a strategic alliance that together provides therapeutic services to adults and adolescents with drug/alcohol dependence. Cenikor has long served adults in recovery, while Odyssey House has focused on adolescents ages 13-17, both through residential treatment programs. Under the new business agreement, each organization will continue to exclusively serve those same populations, while Cenikor will handle all administrative services and provide financial support for Odyssey House.
"Cenikor is proud to partner with Odyssey House to provide excellence in service to both of our client bases," says Bill Bailey, chief executive officer of the Cenikor Foundation, who will also serve as CEO for Odyssey House, Texas. "Our missions and overall philosophies are closely aligned, so it makes sense for these two organizations to work together, while streamlining the financial side."
Lisa Ottemiller, LCSW, ACSW, assumes the duties of program director for Odyssey House. Previously clinical director, Ottemiller will work closely with Bailey as the transition is being made. "I look forward to partnering with Lisa, who is a highly-respected professional in the recovery community," says Bailey. "Together, we can accomplish great things for our residents, both adolescents and adults."
"We see this as a win-win situation," says Michael Viator, president of Odyssey House, Texas. "While we will continue to focus on treating youth in a therapeutic setting, we can be more efficient under the Cenikor umbrella since it has a successful track record in treating adults in crisis for more than 40 years. We look forward to a fruitful relationship and a seamless transition for both organizations."
Cenikor Foundation was formed in 1967. Odyssey House Texas got its start thanks to Spindletop Charities, Inc., a non-profit corporation supported by the oil and gas industry with a mission of helping youth in need, that happened to receive a gift of property in the 1980s. After research by then-president Orville Gaither and his wife Margaret, the two organizations came together, and in 1988 the property was conveyed to Odyssey House. Doors opened to residents in 1989. Spindletop continues to make contributions to Odyssey House and the Gaithers' son, Duane, has been influential in the new partnership with Cenikor.
"Odyssey House has been a unique facility in Texas since it opened its doors," says Constance White, Spindletop executive director. "It pleases us to know that teenagers in need of long-term, residential care and treatment for chemical dependencies will be able to continue to turn to Odyssey House, which provides the basis for a positive life of personal growth."
The Cenikor Foundation has specialized in helping people with chronic substance dependence. This long-term recovery program takes place within a residential Therapeutic Community environment using peer influence and clinical counseling to treat addictive behavior. Residents learn to look within themselves and come to terms with the root causes of their addictions. Cenikor's program, which lasts from 18 to 24 months, works for men and women who have a true desire to change.
The non-profit organization is headquartered in Houston with three treatment facilities in Texas, including Deer Park, Fort Worth and the Henley ITPC Unit in Dayton, as well as one in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Cenikor strives to be the model therapeutic community in the United States and is known for its highly trained professional staff.
Odyssey House, Texas, Inc. is a private, not-for-profit organization established in 1989 to provide residential treatment and education for youth whose lives have been devastated by drugs, alcohol and abuse. At that time, local families who had lost their children to drugs, alcohol or death, identified a need for an effective, affordable program. Odyssey House, Texas was founded as a Therapeutic Community committed to providing comprehensive and quality services to achieve lasting changes in the values and behavior of youth, in order to create healthy lifestyles and healthy families. It also teaches life skills and independent living skills.
For more information about Cenikor, visit www.cenikor.org; to learn about Odyssey House, visit www.odysseyhousetexas.com.
