Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Council of Schenectady Inc

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ABOUT NEW CHOICES RECOVERY CENTER New Choices Recovery Center, formerly the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Council of Schenectady County, is located in downtown Schenectady, New York, at 302 State Street, on the corner of State Street and Erie Boulevard. We are a not-for-profit Agency licensed by the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. Our Mission Statement is: New Choices Recovery Center, through its caring responsive staff, provides innovative and comprehensive addiction treatment services that enhance the quality of life for the individuals and the community we serve. We try to guide drug and alcohol-dependent individuals to make New Choices toward the road to recovery. New Choices Recovery Center used to be called the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Council of Schenectady County and, before that, the Alcoholism Council of Schenectady County. The Council was founded on November 15, 1968 as a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to providing treatment to individuals addicted to alcohol. The Council first began operations at 277 State Street, the old State Theatre building in Schenectady. In 1976, the Council opened a Drop-In Center in Christ Church at State and Swan Streets, where those troubled by alcohol could stop for coffee and talk through their problems with a Counselor. Over the next several years, the Council participated in forums and seminars for raising awareness of the problems associated with alcohol abuse within the community. In 1985, the Council opened its first Community Residence the Purcell House, named after Dr. James Purcell, long-time Medical Director at the Council. Two years later, the Council began operating the Perrin House, a Community Residence for females, named after Georgea S. Perrin, a long-time Counselor in the field of alcohol addiction. In 1988, the Council expanded its services to include Drinking Driver, Day treatment and Mentally Ill Chemically Addicted ( MICA ) Programs. In 1992, the Council moved to 302 State Street, where it remains today. Also in 1992, the Alcoholism Council of Schenectady County became the Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Council of Schenectady County, ( ASACSC ). In April, 1993, the Council opened the Smith House its third Community Residence, named after the late Margaret Smith, mother of former Executive Director Stephen Smith. In 1994, the Council initiated a Shelter Plus Care program which provides to otherwise homeless individuals subsidized housing in 59 units throughout Schenectady. This program remains in force today and is the largest such program in Northeast New York. In mid-2006, the patients, staff and Board of Directors of ASACSC collaborated to come up with a new name and logo for the Agency. New Choices Recovery Center was chosen. The patients designed our new logo, which depicts the direction of our Agency and its mission to serve individuals striving to live life on solid ground.