NEW SUBSTANCE-ABUSE TREATMENT CLINIC OPENS IN CITY OF UTICA

Beacon Center, a premier provider of substance-abuse treatment services throughout New York State, is pleased to announce the opening of its seventh site, an outpatient alcoholism and substance-abuse treatment clinic situated in the heart of downtown Utica, New York. This newest location, which is located at 1508 Genesee Street, opened on January 3, 2011 with the granting of an Operating Certificate from New York State's Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). This agency also operates four clinics in the Greater Buffalo and Niagara Falls region in addition to an outpatient treatment facility and a supportive living home, the Albert O. Nichols House, in Herkimer.

In addition to general services for people suffering from alcoholism and other drug addiction as well as those who are in relationships with addicted persons, this new location will specialize in substance-abuse treatment services to women, adolescents, and those needing intensive treatment.

Beacon Center was founded in 1990 by Herkimer native Faith Nichols Peterson, who has worked in the chemical dependency treatment field since 1983 and is a New York State Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. Ms. Peterson saw the need to offer treatment that was innovative and individually tailored to meet clients' needs, and the idea for Beacon Center was born. From one small location in a suburb of Buffalo, New York, it has grown to encompass seven locations--six outpatient substance-abuse treatment clinics and one supportive living home--across New York State and is one of the largest woman-owned businesses in the Western New York area. The success of Beacon Center is grounded in the philosophy that chemical dependency is highly treatable and that all clients should be treated with dignity and respect with the goal of restoring their lives. Offering a range of services from evaluations, which include drug and alcohol testing, to individual, group, and family counseling, Beacon Center also always encourages families to participate in a client's recovery.

Persons wishing to contact Beacon Center's Utica location are encouraged to call (315) 366-4100. Our full address is 1508 Genesee Street, Utica, New York, 13502, and the facsimile number is (315) 735-1504.

The Albert O. Nichols House

The Albert O. Nichols House is a supportive living facility that, since 2006, has been assisting men as they make the transition from the ravages of addiction to a lifetime of abstinence. Located at the site of a former bar, it is named in honor of Beacon Center founder Faith Peterson's late father. A comfortable, attractive, fully restored Victorian home, the Nichols House can offer an intermediate step between the haven and solace of an inpatient treatment facility and the harsh realities of the world outside, helping residents to conquer the stresses and avoid the temptations of life while concurrently attending outpatient treatment. Referrals are also accepted from other sources. Located in the village of Herkimer and tucked away in the foothills of the beautiful Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York, this supportive living home provides residents privacy and anonymity while giving them a chance to rebuild their lives and develop their relapse prevention skills.

The caring and compassionate staff of the Albert O. Nichols House are available to help residents with every detail of everyday life, from instructions on basic living skills to linkages to vocational and educational training. On-site, professional cooking classes and nutrition education are some of the benefits extended to our residents with the goal of helping them to attain self-sufficiency.

This home is for men who are serious about their recoveries and who have achieved a period of abstinence prior to admission. Residents may not have a history of arson or of sexual violence. For more information, please call the Albert O. Nichols House at (315) 866-3151.

Beacon Center Relocates to Larger Accommodations

In November of 2008, Beacon Center relocated its outpatient substance-abuse treatment clinic from 430 North Main Street in Herkimer to 210 South Main Street, Herkimer. This move was arranged to accommodate the demand for Beacon Center’s services, which was larger than was initially anticipated when the present office first began accepting clients in October of 2007.

At the time Beacon Center opened its doors at the original Herkimer location, Ed Scudder, Herkimer County’s Commissioner of Mental Health, noted, “We are very happy and excited to know that Beacon Center has opened a local site. We look forward to its success in serving people in our community.” The success that the Commissioner envisioned has made it necessary for Beacon Center to seek a more spacious site early in its foray into Herkimer County.

Beacon Center operates seven substance-abuse facilities in New York State. Owner Faith Nichols Peterson, a Herkimer native, opened the first agency location in suburban Buffalo in June of 1990 with three employees. Since that time, Beacon Center has grown to seven sites—six outpatient substance-abuse treatment agencies and one supportive living home—and approximately 40 employees, guiding the way to a lifetime of sobriety for countless clients over the years. One of Western New York’s largest woman-owned businesses, Beacon Center’s philosophy is that chemical dependency is a highly treatable disease and that all clients should be treated with dignity and respect with the goal of restoring their lives. The agency offers a range of services from evaluations, which include drug and alcohol testing, to individual, group, and family counseling. It also offers specialized treatment programs designed to address individual needs, such as a Young Adult Program and a program called “Women in Trauma.” Families are always encouraged to participate in the client’s recovery. Anyone wishing to make an appointment can call Beacon Center at (315) 717-0189.