Samaritan Village Inc. hosted two historic events on September 23, 2009 at its Ellenville campus in Ulster County, New York. The first, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marked the completion of a $23 million renovation of the Ellenville campus. Ellenville is a state-of-the-art facility that houses 228 men and women working to rebuild their lives after the ravages of addiction.  Samaritan Village President and CEO Tino Hernandez was joined by OASAS Commissioner Karen Carpenter-Palumbo, State Senator John J. Bonacic, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, local government officials, staff, clients, and community residents to officially open the upgraded facility. 

This was the largest capital renovation project of its kind in New York State history. The project includes newly-built dormitories, classrooms, and computer labs; a new recreation center and health clinic; and all the amenities necessary to provide quality care to the clients housed there.

Samaritan also broke ground on New York State’s first-ever long-term substance abuse treatment facility for women veterans.  The 25-bed facility will be sited at Samaritan’s Ellenville campus.  Slated to open in winter 2010, the facility will offer specialized addiction and post traumatic stress treatment services to meet the complex needs of heroic women returning from military service.

Click here for a PDF version of the Samaritan Recovery Month Calendar of Events.

A Powerpoint verson is also available here.

The Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Gil Kerlikowske, visited the Samaritan Village Veterans Program at 43rd Street on July 17, 2009. In his introduction of the Drug Czar, Tino Hernandez, President and Chief Executive Officer of Samaritan Village, indicated that he met Director Kerlikowske at a Therapeutic Communities of America (“TCA”) Conference and extended an invitation to visit the program, to which he responded immediately.

Appointed by President Obama on May 7, 2009, Director Kerlikowske was sworn in as the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The Director brings nearly four decades of law enforcement and drug policy experience to the position.  As the Nation's "Drug Czar," the Director will advise the President and Vice President on all aspects of drug policy, including interdiction, law enforcement and strategies for prevention and treatment.  Director Kerlikowske addressed the staff and residents, referencing his service in the U.S. Army and assuring them of his firm belief that “treatment works.”

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He then met privately with four veterans currently in treatment at Samaritan.  The veterans served terms in Iraq and Vietnam and one of the veterans was awarded his long overdue, Purple Heart while in treatment.  The Director told Mr. Hernandez that he was moved by the genuine and touching testimony of the Samaritan veterans.  

Accompanying the Director on his visit were Patrick Schmidt, Program Support Specialist and Chauncey Parker, Director of the New York/New Jersey High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.  The event was also attended by NYS Office of Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Services (“OASAS”) staff, Thomas E. Nightingale - Associate Commissioner,
Division of Treatment & Practice Innovation, Dr. Frank McCorry - Director, Office of NYC Operations and Steven Rabinowitz, Director of Downstate Field Operations.

The 20 year partnership between the Brooklyn DTAP Program and Samaritan Village was center stage at the annual DTAP graduation ceremonies. Benito Loria Jr. received the District Attorney's Award from Charles Hynes for his outstanding work as Supervisor of Criminal Justice admissions at Samaritan.

Vice President of Residential Services, Roy Kearse accepted the District Attorney’s award on behalf of Samaritan Village, Inc. for the treatment services provided to DTAP clients.  The DTAP Alumni Award was presented by DTAP Alumni president (and Samaritan graduate) Norma Fernandez.  The recipient, Robert Erskine is a case manager in Samaritan Assessment component.  Both grateful Samaritan graduates made inspirational remarks regarding their DTAP Samaritan experiences.

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The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University conducted a conference entitled "Wounds of War: Substance Abuse, Veterans, and Active Duty Military." Pictured on the far right is Samaritan Village Veterans Program Director, Carol Davidson, who was invited to participate in a panel discussion on substance abuse and mental illness among veterans. Ms. Davidson described the unique services that Samaritan Village provides within its two residential Veterans Programs, discussed the relationship between combat-related trauma disorders and substance abuse, and offered clinical insights gleaned from Samaritan's many years of experience in treating the veterans population.