May is Mental Health Awareness Month

At Van Ness Recovery House, we know that recovery isn’t just about overcoming addiction—it’s about healing the whole person, including mental health. This month, we join the national movement to raise awareness, fight stigma, and remind our community that it’s okay to ask for help.

Mental health is health. Whether you’re in recovery, supporting a loved one, or simply navigating life’s ups and downs—you are not alone.

If you would like to donate to help us continue supporting mental health and recovery, please click on the link below.

Let’s keep showing up for each other, every day of the year.

Spartan Race Success: Alumni Powered, Mission Driven

Last month, a powerful team of Van Ness Recovery House and La Fuente alumni took on the Spartan Race—and they did more than just cross the finish line. With around 15 participants, this inspiring group raised an incredible $26,000 to support our capital campaign.

Thanks to their strength, determination, and unwavering commitment, the funds they raised allowed us to complete the renovation of our ADA-accessible bathroom. We’re proud to announce that they are now the official naming sponsors of this essential space—a lasting symbol of what community and recovery can achieve together.

To everyone who ran, fundraised, donated, or cheered them on: thank you for proving that recovery is not only possible—it’s powerful.

Help Us Keep the Momentum Going

Thanks to your generosity, we’ve made incredible progress—our bathrooms have been beautifully renovated, and we’re gearing up to start work on the kitchen next (more on that in next month’s update!). This transformation is creating safer, more welcoming spaces for every resident who walks through our doors.

But we don’t want to lose momentum.

While construction on the kitchen is just about underway, we’re setting our sights on the next big step: the dining room. Our goal is to raise the necessary funds now so that once the kitchen is complete, we can move straight into renovating the dining room without delay.

This space is more than a place to eat—it’s where our community gathers, shares, and heals. With your help, we can make it as warm and functional as it deserves to be.

Check out the rendering of the proposed dining room design below—and if you’re moved to help bring it to life, we invite you to make a gift today.

How Can I Help?

Our journey towards our mission is made possible by the generosity of our donors. It’s not just a goal; it’s a transformative journey fueled by inspiring stories of recovery. Your support is crucial in bringing these stories to life, and there are several impactful ways you can contribute:

Donate: Your financial contributions breathe life into stories of hope. Whether it’s a one-time donation or a recurring commitment for our capital campaign, your support fuels our mission. You can visit our website here!

Spread the Word: Every story shared becomes a beacon of inspiration. Help us extend our reach by sharing our mission with your network and raising awareness about the work we do.

Connect with Us: Stay connected with us through social media and our newsletter. By engaging with our stories of inspiration, you become an active part of the narrative, turning stories of possibility into shared realities.

“Mental health…is not a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going.”

– Noam Shpancer