Van Ness Recovery House

VNRH invites supporters to Sleigh All Day, a festive holiday fundraiser on December 7 celebrating community, connection, and the life-changing work of the House. The event honors Tim Sullivan with the Legacy Award and Jose Ramos as Outstanding Community Partner. Supporters who cannot attend are encouraged to give online, with every donation matched dollar-for-dollar up to $20,000 through AHF’s World AIDS Month match. The message highlights the opportunity to double the impact of each gift and help advance the Capital Campaign, strengthening VNRH’s mission of hope, healing, and recovery during the holiday season.

September honors National Recovery Month, highlighting the role of service in sustaining long-term sobriety and strengthening the recovery community. VNRH reflects on how mentorship, fellowship, and daily acts of kindness deepen both personal healing and collective resilience. The Story of Inspiration spotlights RJ, who first arrived at the House in 1986 and has maintained nearly four decades of sobriety through surrender, spiritual connection, and a lifelong commitment to service—including leadership on the Board of Directors and participation in the Spartan Race. The update also shares the team’s final preparations for the September 20 race, inviting supporters to contribute and help fuel VNRH’s mission.

VNRH shares major progress on the kitchen renovation made possible by a $350,000 grant from The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation. Walls are down, utilities are updated, drywall is going up, and the laundry area has successfully moved upstairs—bringing the project closer to its Labor Day completion. Supporters are invited to help fund the next major milestone: the dining room renovation, a central space for nourishment, connection, and healing. The update also celebrates the continued momentum of the Spartan Race, as alumni prepare to take on the challenge again on September 20, raising funds and demonstrating the powerful unity found in recovery.

June celebrates Pride Month at VNRH, honoring the courage, resilience, and transformation within the LGBTQ+ recovery community. The message highlights Pride as both a celebration and a reminder of the House’s 50-year legacy of providing safety, dignity, and belonging to those often pushed to the margins. The update also shares exciting progress on the full kitchen renovation made possible by a generous $350,000 grant from The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation. With construction underway and completion expected by Labor Day, supporters are invited to help continue the momentum by contributing to upcoming renovations of bedrooms, the dining room, meeting spaces, and more—building a future filled with hope and recovery.

May focuses on Mental Health Awareness Month, reminding the VNRH community that recovery includes healing the whole person and that no one has to face mental health challenges alone. Supporters are encouraged to help sustain mental health programming through donations. The update also celebrates the incredible success of the Spartan Race, where alumni from VNRH and La Fuente raised $26,000—funds that completed the ADA restroom renovation and secured their role as naming sponsors of the space. Looking ahead, VNRH prepares to begin kitchen renovations and launches fundraising for the dining room, emphasizing the importance of shared spaces where community, connection, and healing come to life.

VNRH announces the return of its beloved Palm Springs fundraiser on May 2, where generous hosts open their homes for intimate dinners followed by a shared dessert reception. This annual tradition brings supporters together in celebration and plays a crucial role in advancing the Capital Campaign. The update also highlights exciting progress as the ADA restroom renovation nears completion, transforming the space into a more accessible and welcoming environment for all residents. Supporters are invited to help add the finishing touches to this important project. Throughout, VNRH emphasizes community involvement, donor impact, and the shared commitment to creating a healing, inclusive home for recovery.

March brings a spirit of renewal as VNRH reflects on the growth, transformation, and forward momentum that recovery inspires. The message encourages readers to embrace change—just as the season shifts—while celebrating the daily courage residents show in their journey toward sobriety. The update also highlights the upcoming Spartan Race on April 5, where alumni from VNRH and La Fuente unite to support the House through a challenge that mirrors the resilience of recovery. Supporters are invited to donate or sponsor participants, helping fund essential renovations and ensuring VNRH remains a safe, healing environment for all. Throughout, the focus remains on progress, strength, and community.

February at VNRH celebrates a “Legacy of Love,” honoring the compassion, community, and second chances that have fueled the House for decades. The message highlights the transformative power of love in recovery and acknowledges the donors, staff, and volunteers who make this mission possible. The update also spotlights an exciting partnership as alumni from VNRH and La Fuente join forces to participate in the Spartan Race on April 5, raising vital funds for the House. Supporters are invited to sponsor participants or donate directly, helping keep services accessible and recovery within reach. Throughout, VNRH emphasizes connection, teamwork, and the healing force of love.

VNRH welcomes 2025 with a message of hope, connection, and new beginnings, offering heartfelt wishes for a safe and healthy year ahead. The update acknowledges the recent Los Angeles fires and extends support to anyone affected, reminding the community that VNRH is here to help with resources, care, and compassion. The message emphasizes unity, resilience, and the importance of leaning on one another during challenging times. Throughout, VNRH reinforces its commitment to being a steady, supportive presence for all who seek comfort, recovery, or a place to turn when life feels uncertain.