Rebuilding Lives
History
“Ten years ago, God put a dream for freeing people from spiritual bondage on my heart. Over the years of serving the needs of our local community, the vision for a home that breaks the generational chains of addiction is now coming to fruition.” – Pastor Jonathan Evans
Corrie’s Story
Our Name
The name “Desens” comes from one of the original founding families of Elim Grace Church. In the same way that this single family has had an impact on the church community generationally, the Desens House, with its mission of hope and healing, is the next generation of Elim Grace Church.
We are a Recovery Community
Desens House is primarily a community of women passionate about hope and freedom. We live life together and are inclusive of women throughout the community that are struggling with hurts, hang-ups and habits; or just need a friend. We have been slowly growing our tribe throughout the last year. We are a strong, vibrant joy-filled community that loves to serve others and see others find a place to call home!
We are a Resource
We plan to open a Resource Center in the autumn of 2022 which will serve women in recovery by providing a space where they can rebuild a greater sense of wellbeing, purpose and motivation through supportive relationships with peers and community members living healthy lifestyles. As program participants give back to the community through service projects, artistic skill sets and peer advocacy, they will be seen as assets to the community, and stigmatization against those in recovery will diminish, providing a greater network of support.
Our vision for the Resource Center is to come alongside women struggling with the hardest challenges they have ever attempted: maintaining longterm sobriety. We hope to give them the tools and hope to believe that transformation is possible. Each participant has the potential to become leaders within the Desens House and make a lasting and monumental difference in the Oswego community.
We are a Residence
We plan to open our first residency pilot program in the spring of 2023. Our long-term programming (12-18 months) will be offered to women who have completed 90 days in an inpatient substance use treatment program. Referrals at this time will come through Farnham Family Services.
This will be a mixed living setting, as our women in recovery will live alongside sober living companions. Through programs like Celebrate Recovery and our Desens House community outreach, our participants will establish a supportive network of friends and peer advocates that will be integral to rebuilding their lives on a solid foundation.
Our women will also be tied into local Christian businesses and non-profit programs, as the power to give back to the community, accomplish projects together as valuable assets and team members, and be a part of something positive, will greatly improve self worth and develop a positive sense of identity. Rooted in Christian principles, we encourage life transformation through supportive and stable relationships.
If you have any questions about our Residency Programming or would like to learn more, reach out to our Director of Resident Life, Alicia Vann, at aliciavann@desenshouse.org.
Meet Our Team
Alicia Vann, Residency Director
Alicia is a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) who has a passion for working in Geriatrics. She also served in a homeless shelter in Virginia in multiple capacities, but most notably as the Lead Case Manager for 3 years where she developed and oversaw case management and programming for about 40 residents. She enjoys meeting people, building friendships, mixing paint at Lowes, and dancing on Sunday mornings. She is developing and will oversee our long-term residency program in 2023!
Christine “Dean” Wright, Executive Director
Dean’s professional background is in architecture, and she has always loved complicated multifaceted projects and opportunities for endless learning. She has learned that the same way an empty parking lot can be transformed into a community center, hurting people can be transformed into a family, a community and a tribe. Her passion is networking with others to create a vibrant community of recovery and hope.
Amy Champlin, Recovery Advocate
Amy is the boots on the ground advocate for women in recovery. She serves as a role model, mentor, advocate and motivator to recovering individuals in order to help prevent relapse and promote long-term recovery.
Meet Our Board
Jonathan is the senior pastor at Elim Grace Church, and has served the needs of the local community for many years. More than ten years ago, after visiting the Betel campus in Mexico, which has been “dedicated to restoring substance-dependent and marginalized people to productive and independent lifestyles,” Jonathan envisioned what a program like Betel could bring to the community of Oswego. He provides spiritual, pastoral and emotional leadership to the board.
William King, Board Member, Building Renovation Chair
Bill is a former drug addict. No longer in bondage to addiction, his life has radically changed. He was able to significantly impact the lives of those around him while serving as the lead pastor of Elim Grace Church for 31 years. He is a master carpenter and contractor. As a specialized builder he has been on numerous construction projects all over the world including Haiti, Nepal and Kenya. Bill’s experience as a master carpenter and contractor will be tremendously helpful as we remodel the Desens House.
Eric Bresee, Board Treasurer
Eric serves as Treasurer for the NYS Alcohol and Substance Abuse Providers, President of the CNY Alcohol and Drug Association, Board Treasurer for Integrated Community Planning of Oswego County, Secretary for the Leave a Legacy of Oswego County Steering Committee and is a member of the City of Oswego Poverty Reduction Taskforce. He is the Executive Director for Farnham Family Services. He has degrees in Psychology and Counseling. He is a licensed Mental Health Counselor. He worked at Oswego County Opportunities for 15 years as Program Director, overseeing many of OCO’s programs including Homeless Services, Services to Aid Families, Medicaid Service Coordination, the PATH, OPTIONS and Health Education. His valuable experience in board and monetary leadership as well as addiction and recovery services provides valuable insight into the complexity of substance abuse and nonprofit fiscal management.
Rachael Stahl, Board Secretary
Rachael has a degree in Social Work and is a Licensed MSW in New York State. She currently practices mental health therapy through Connextcare. She is passionate about intervening with individuals and families to break generational cycles of abuse and trauma. She is trained in a variety of therapy types, as well as trauma informed care. Her expertise in Social Work will be significant as we assist our participants in getting the resources needed to live lives of health and freedom.
Teresa Woolson, Board Member
Teresa has a passion for helping others and is connected with many of the service agencies in Oswego County. She has been to trainings on substance use disorder, coalitions, harm reduction, etc and has planned and carried out many different events in our community.
After her son died from synthetic drugs purchase in a store in Oswego in 2012, Teresa started a non-profit organization to promote awareness of the dangers of synthetic drugs. She has been advocating and educating about synthetic drugs and addiction since then. She has traveled to Washington and Albany for legislative purposes regarding addiction and the laws surrounding synthetic drugs.
Jodi Smith, Board Member
Jodi Smith has a degree in nursing from Roberts Wesleyan College and has worked at Upstate Hospital beginning in the fall of 2017. She is deeply passionate about helping and serving others and loved working in the ICU as a pediatric nurse.
Jodi was exposed to the trauma of substance use disorder as she watched a family member struggle with addiction to heroin. She visited her family member in jail, rehab, halfway houses and always believed that it’s never too late to hope for freedom.
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Board Administrator
Joe Grasso, Administrator
Joe experimented with drugs as a teenager and has experience working with homeless men in the Bronx. As operations manager of the shelter he was responsible for security and maintenance of the facilities, handled family placement with the city and was the point person on all New York City government interactions. He developed working relationships with the police department and other community organizations. Joe has a passion to see lives transformed.
COME JOIN OUR COMMUNITY
We can’t change lives alone. We need your skills, experience, and your story.
OUR PARTNERS
