Walter Hoving Home New York is a faith-based substance abuse treatment center for chemically dependent women pursuing long-term recovery through the word of Christ. During the 12-month residential program, individuals will progress through four stages, each of which provides clients with new privileges and responsibilities such as resident training and staff assistance. At Walter Hoving Home, residents are given the opportunity to apply for a driver’s license, attend vocational, G.E.D., and computer classes, and prepare for reentry into the community.
ABOUT THE WALTER HOVING HOME NEW YORK
The Walter Hoving Home is a nonprofit, faith-based residential treatment facility for adult women struggling with addiction and other life-controlling conditions. There are four discipleships across the country — Las Vegas, Nev.; Oxford, N.J.; Pasadena, Calif.; and Garrison, N.Y. The Garrison facility, 45 miles north of New York City, offers long-term treatment that enables clients to rebuild their lives and develop a relationship with Christ.
TREATMENT & ASSESSMENT
The process starts with an intake interview, which includes an overview of the program and understanding of clients’ alcohol and drug use, physical health, medications, and financial status. Participants must agree to accept a new way of life through Christian living.
The facility offers a six- and 12-month program. Clients enter the “pre-acceptance” phase, when they are guests and evaluate if the program is a good fit.
After three weeks, they begin to move through four stages of treatment — freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior — gradually assuming more roles and responsibilities. Sophomores can take their driving test and earn their GED. Juniors do errands and become involved in the community. Seniors take a career transition class and work with new residents. During the Completer’s Program, clients transition into society and find work while still living in the facility.
Throughout all stages, clients attend classes in the faith-based learning center, chapel services, Bible study, and do chores, such as cooking, office work, and maintenance.
STAFF CREDENTIALS
There is scant information available, though information sourced through a Best-rehabs.com survey suggested that many staff members graduated the program and are in recovery. Volunteers also help teach, tutor, and pray with clients.
ACCOMMODATIONS & AMENITIES
The Walter Hoving Home is a Tudor mansion set on 22-acres. Images on the website show modestly furnished rooms and wooded outdoor areas. Clients live in two large dormitories. Dress code is “modest, feminine, clean and neat.” Smoking is prohibited.
WHAT ALUMNI SAY
Alumni of the Walter Hoving Home submitted largely positive feedback. Of the seven former clients polled by Best-rehabs.com to date, a majority provided highly favorable opinions for most categories, including the facility’s cleanliness and lauded the faith-based approach.
Faith-Based Approach: 5/5
Facility’s Cleanliness and Upkeep: 4/5
However, overall, the alumni felt the facility could improve in some areas, specifically the experience and training of staff and the limited or lack thereof counseling options.
Staff’s Level of Experience and Training: 2.5/5
Counseling Options: 1/5
Several reviewers praised the faith-based approach and life-saving results. “Got introduced to a relationship with Christ that has saved my life,” alum Emily wrote. However, two criticized the lack of 12-step inclusion and, in a harsher review, P.J.C. described the program as “another ruse to make money in the name of God.”
On secondary sites, reviewers offered positive views of the facility to date: 4.4 out of five stars based on 11 reviews on Google, 4.9 stars based on 84 reviews of the organization as a whole, rather than Garrison exclusively, on Facebook, which the facility can manage.
WHAT FRIENDS & FAMILY SAY
Three loved ones offered mixed feedback, skewed to the positive about the facility to date: one favorable, one moderately favorable, one negative. Two polled by Best-rehabs.com provided more detailed opinions. Echoing alumni reviews, the loved ones reported a lack of counseling options, and two loved ones were split concerning the level of family participation, offering ratings of two stars and five stars for this metric.
One praised the program’s post-treatment resources, such as job training, another referenced the need for 12-Step and, in an outright critical review, Kevin wrote: “I felt this place was cult-like.”
FINANCING
According to the Walter Hoving Home website, women pay a non-refundable $500 entrance fee and fundraise $500 a month. It notes: “Each lady is assessed individually, and we work with those who are unable to pay.”