The Women’s Residence was established in April of 1998, serving 11 female alcoholics and drug addicts in a Recovery Home setting. The program now serves up to 15 women with children under the age of five and not enrolled in school along with women who are pregnant; which promotes the blending of healthy parenting skills with recovery skills, instead of losing bonding and relationship time by having to work in life areas in stages instead of concurrently. Also, women who have older children will have the opportunity to have their children visit for overnight stays during their stay at the house, which is beneficial for both the parent and child.

The Credo Women’s Residential Services are set in a beautifully renovated old house just outside of downtown Watertown. The homelike atmosphere promotes a feeling of family which lends support to the residents during difficult times in treatment. Residents all share in the upkeep of the home and grounds, and enjoy fare on the table from the vegetable garden in the back.

Close proximity to downtown Watertown makes accessing resources and services possible on foot or the agency van. A variety of specialized counseling and educational opportunities are available in Watertown, and volunteer opportunities abound. Also, recreational activities exist on many levels both in-house (a fitness room in the basement) and in the community (everything from passes to the YMCA to downhill skiing).

The program is designed to help women develop skills and plans for clean and sober lifestyles, and address the impact that addiction has had on their lives that have lead to damaging and/or life threatening abuse and dependence on drugs and alcohol.

This unique program offers admission into one of four levels representing higher to lesser structure, depending on history of previous treatment experiences and individual need. As the women progress in treatment they move within the levels toward self-sufficiency and independence.

At all stages, this program assists women in examining their own power and resources, as well as recognizing and accessing their own individual life options. The emphasis of the Women’s Residence is to help each resident in achieving the following:

Empowerment, Addiction/Cross Addiction Awareness, Healthy Relationships, Personal Safety, Assertiveness, Family Issues & Physical and Nutritional Health