About Gratitude House |
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Our MissionOur primary mission is to offer rehabilitation and support services with dignity and respect to the chemically dependent female in a nurturing, safe and caring environment. We provide top quality individualized programs to women in need of help in a loving, wholesome atmosphere, without regard for race, religion, political preference, national origin, or personal financial capacity. Our primary purpose is to return such women to society as self-sufficient, productive citizens. Brief HistoryGratitude House is a 501(c) (3) non-profit corporation, founded in 1968. Gratitude House was founded to offer shelter and meals to homeless and needy alcoholic women in order to rehabilitate them through participation in AA and community services. Over the past 39 years, the agency has grown to a fully accredited Level II licensed treatment center for female’s ages 18 and older that are chemically dependent. |
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We have many “firsts”;
first to open a women’s-only treatment center (1968); first
to treat pregnant and postpartum women (1989); first to offer Aftercare
Group to graduates (1985); first to offer intensive Day Treatment
program for women (1992); first to implement an integrated HIV/AIDS
chemical dependency program (1995); first to offer pre-treatment
service (DAMP), Drug Awareness Motivational Program (2000); first
to implement intensive Aftercare/ Case management services to all
clients who leave treatment, regardless of whether they complete
or not (2002), expanded services offering Night Treatment to women
who work or have children at home (2004), first (in coastal Palm
Beach County) to have infants reside with Mom in primary treatment
(2005), and now first to integrate an on site Job Coach/Vocational
Counseling program(2007), for women while they are in treatment.
Innovation is our history; creative, comprehensive women-sensitive
programming is our foundation.
Executive DirectorGail Dempsey’s professional dedication
to recovery and to women suffering from the disease of addiction
began over 20 years ago. During her tenure, Gratitude House has
grown to provide a number of specialized programs serving chemically
dependent women in Palm Beach County. Gail is a Certified Addictions
Professional, holds a Masters Degree in Social Work and in 2006
received the Peter Fairclough award in recognition of her outstanding
dedication and committment to the development of chemical dependency
treatment in Palm Beach County. |
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Board of Directors
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| President Dr. Kathryn C. Shafer, Ph.D., LCSW, CAP, RYT |
Corresponding Secretary JoAnne Kriesant-Weld |
| 1st Vice President
Kate Schappert, RN, MS, CAP 2nd Vice President / Treasurer John Yeend, CFO Recording Secretary Bev Robinson |
Members Jane Nagel Laura Kiley, LCSW Carol Basinger Gail Dempsey, Executive Director |
| Asst. Treasurer Lynn Goffred-Gentithes, MPA, BSW, RN |
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| Board Members |
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| Kim Koslow, MS, CAP, IMH-4781 | Wendy Williams |
| Helen Lewis (Weegie) | Barbara Roemmele |
| Pat McDyer | Pamela Wynn |
| Janice D. Rivella |
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Advisory Board |
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| Maggie Christian | Helen Lewis |
| Thomas Gentithes Esq. | |
Associate Board |
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| Adele Smithers | Judith Kratzit |
| Clinical Director | Carol Lazarus, LMHC |
| Supervisor of Residential Services | Roz Collins, CAP, LMHC |
| Supervisor of Outpatient Services | Sandra Davidson, MSW, CSW Intern |