Catholic Charities to open women's recovery center

By Christina Galeone | CFP Correspondent

LEOMINSTER – In Northern Worcester County there haven’t been many options for women seeking a long-term program to treat their substance addiction. But, fortunately, Catholic Charities became aware of this need. And it became determined to fill it.   
About two years ago, Catholic Charities began exploring the possibility of creating such a program at the former St. Cecilia’s Convent at 196 Mechanic St. It knew that the vacant portion of the building that once contained the nuns’ sleeping quarters could be ideal, since another part of the building already housed Catholic Charities’ emergency services and home care programs.
Timothy J. McMahon, Catholic Charities’ executive director, explained that the nonprofit – seeking guidance –  reached out to experts in the area of women’s recovery. While the new program’s foundation is modeled after the life-changing work done at Catholic Charities’ Crozier House, a men’s recovery program established in 1971, other elements will be specifically focused on serving women.
“We approached Bishop Robert J. McManus to discuss with him our plans – and about purchasing the property – in the fall of 2018,” Mr. McMahon recalled. “In a very generous offer, Bishop McManus sold us the property for one dollar to pursue this ministry.”
Also grateful for the helpful support of Father Robert D. Bruso, St. Cecilia’s pastor, and funding from a Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Addiction Services (BSAS) grant, Mr. McMahon hopes the program will be ready to open this month. The three- to six-month recovery program will serve women who have both a substance use disorder and mental health disorders that are commonly found in chemically dependent people.
Able to accommodate 16 women, the program will provide long-term residential rehabilitation services for adult women. The goal of Catholic Charities’ Leominster Women’s Recovery Program is to help its clients “achieve sobriety and stability, lead a life free of addiction, and thrive in their families, workplaces and communities.” To achieve this goal, the program will provide clients with a residential recovery home model of care. In addition to having access to registered nurses, clients will have access to on-site psychiatric assistance. And the program’s staff will work with local agencies to provide comprehensive services for clients to maintain stability.
Angelique Bodziak, the treatment program’s director, is confident in how the program is structured.
“It is very important and necessary for women beginning their recovery to have a safe, comprehensive and rehabilitative environment that supports, assists and educates women in both substance use and co-occurring disorders,” she said. “In order to address both conditions simultaneously, we will provide the women with both individualized and group clinical services that address each individual’s substance use and co-occurring disorders.”
And Ms. Bodziak has a wealth of experience working with women with both types of disorders.  For more than 10 years, she has helped women with substance disorders such as heroin and other opioid addictions, cocaine disorder and alcohol addiction. She has also worked with women who have co-occurring mental health disorders including schizophrenia, Bipolar II Disorder and depression. Additionally, she has expertise in developing programs, counseling clients, planning treatments and transitions, performing clinical evaluations and administering crisis interventions.
Although Ms. Bodziak has witnessed several successful recoveries, she said that her motivation comes from within.
“I have many treatment success stories that inspire me to continue doing the work that I do,” she noted. But, she added, “The story that encourages me to continue working with women is the one that stares back at me every time I look in the mirror.”
In the midst of the opioid crisis in Central Massachusetts, there are many people who are in desperate need of their own recovery success stories. Catholic Charities is hoping that its new program will help many of them. Mr. McMahon said, “To serve those among us in need is a core mission of both the Catholic Church and Catholic Charities Worcester County.”