It is my pleasure to let you know that, starting in June, Mid-Coast Recovery Coalition (MCRC) will begin to accept women in recovery as residents at 63 Washington, the women’s recovery residence in Camden purchased in January by MCRC.   MCRC also plans to establish a Community Advisory Committee to provide feedback and suggestions to MCRC about all aspects of the house and its effect on the community.   This house will provide supportive housing and assist with arranging community-based wrap around services (job placement, child care services, medical and behavioral healthcare, transportation, etc.) to women who struggle with many life problems interwoven with “substance use disorder” (SUD, commonly known as “drug addiction”).  Overall, the house will benefit the residents by simply providing a stable and supportive environment in which all residents will provide “peer support” for each other and will help them make significant progress in their recovery.  The community “wrap around services” will enhance progress and will be coordinated by MCRC house staff. While the plans have been all along to enable women to have their children continue to live with them, as desired and as can be reasonably be accommodated, MCRC will initially open the house to women without their children.  MCRC recognizes that experience with women residents is needed before initial steps are taken to accommodate children as well.  The involvement of children of women in recovery remains a high priority for MCRC since, often, the children of women with SUD often have great needs that our communities cannot meet without stable and supportive housing such as this. Research has proven the benefits of a nurturing, supportive home for women and their children.  With the support of a house manager and other women in recovery, the rate is excellent for successful and healthy return to independent living.  We can share many heartwarming success stories of families who have regained their dignity and enjoyment of what we all expect in our lives. As MCRC moves from a vacant house to a house with women in recovery to a house with women in recovery and some children, the community will be invited to learn more and to ask questions about MCRC’s plans and progress.  The first “Community Advisory Committee” is scheduled for Wednesday, May 22, at 6 p.m. at which time a presentation will be given about this MCRC’s plans and the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions and to offer comments and suggestions. Please let us know if you plan to attend so that we can accommodate all who are interested.  Once we know how many people wish to attend, we will let all know of the location of the meeting. We can be reached at 207-701-1182 or at info@midcoastrecovery.org.   Thank you. Ira Mandel, MD, MPH, Executive Director of Mid-Coast Recovery Coalition