Member Spotlight: Dismas Home of NH

To meet the needs of our residents, Dismas Home of NH (DHNH) is a non-profit, 501 (c)(3) charitable organization that is committed to offering the severely underserved and invisible population of previously incarcerated women who are suffering from diagnosed, substance use disorder, and co-occurring mental health disorders, and a life-time of multiple traumas. We are a six-bed, state-licensed, up to 90 days, Low Intensity, Residential Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation and Reentry Program. Our two-phase, up-to 90-day program meets and exceeds the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) Criteria of 3.1.

DHNH offers a supportive, nurturing, family-like community of women in which residents are treated with the utmost dignity and respect. Our holistic approach to services reflects our mission to do whatever is necessary to help our residents transform their lives, heal, and begin a life-long journey to recovery and sobriety as a contributing member of society. Comprehensive support services are available to our residents during all four phases of the DHNH Program: Transition; Stabilization, Independence; and Reentry. 

Residents of DHNH participate in daily group therapies and receive individual psychotherapy, case management and 24/7 support offered by a professional, compassionate staff utilizing evidence-based practices. Residents interact and support other women residents who have experienced trauma, incarceration, and mental illness in a structured, supportive environment. DHNH partners with our residents on their transformational journey of change, helping them to evolve toward a healthier, more productive life lives in sustained recovery and sobriety absent of criminal involvement and addiction. 

 In the words of one of our most recent graduates: 

I came to the Dismas Home without much hope of a brighter future. I was tired of living a never-ending cycle of drug use and prison. My life was chaos and I didn’t feel in control of it. I needed something different, a safe place to work on myself from the inside out, and I was lucky enough to find it in the Dismas Home. As soon as I walked through the door, I knew I was where I was supposed to be. I’ve learned so much these last 12 months, and I will forever be grateful for the amazing staff and residents I’ve met along this journey. I worked on past trauma’s and learned a lot about who I am. I was able to take a step back and breath for the first time in a very long time. I obtained full time employment, and now have a plan to go back to school and pursue my dreams. None of this would be possible if it weren’t for the incredible women who help to uplift and empower me every day. I am now over 17 months sober and plan to continue to reach out to the women who don’t have a voice and who struggle in their own sobriety.

DHNH is the only facility in New Hampshire that is, solely, dedicated to serving previously incarcerated women and Sara Lutat, MSW/MLADC, Executive Director advocates on behalf of a highly stigmatized, invisible and forgotten population of women who are seeking to transform their lives and move beyond their traumas, addiction, mental illness and multiple incarcerations. Sara invites you to explore the DHNH website www.dismashomenh.org.