ROCHESTER, N.Y. — After a year in the making, the new Barrington House doors have officially opened, offering a new community residence for women in recovery with young children.

What You Need To Know

  • Being separated from their children is one of the main barriers for many women seeking treatment for substance abuse
  • The new Barrington House will now be able to house 21 women as they undergo treatment along with accommodating up to five children total
  • Leaders expect to have women officially move in sometime early August

“Addiction has no boundaries. There are no socioeconomic boundaries. It knows no race,” said Lori VanAuken, president and CEO of Catholic Charities, the organization behind the project. “Addiction is a disease and it affects everybody. And so we’re hoping that in a nurturing community, in a place where people can, you know, support each other and refer for help.”

The house is the first in the city of Rochester that will allow mothers to stay with their children during substance addiction recovery. Being separated from their children is one of the main barriers for many women seeking treatment.

“Facilities like this are really critical in our approach to really addressing the overdose epidemic that we’re in," said Dr. Chinazo Cunningham, commissioner of the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS).

State Sen. Samra Brouk and Rochester Mayor Malik Evans both attended Friday's ceremony and ribbon cutting.

The new building will now be able to house 21 women as they go through treatment and provide accommodations for five children total.

Leaders expects to have women move in sometime early August.

“It does take a community to support folks who are struggling,” said VanAuken. “And I know that the community is going to embrace this work and embrace the women and show support.”