Phoenix House Awarded $30,515 From Portage Health Foundation

[Hancock, MI] Phoenix House, a residential substance and alcohol treatment facility in Calumet, Michigan, was recently awarded $30,515 from the Portage Health Foundation to help implement an enhanced women’s outpatient treatment program for women in Houghton and Keweenaw counties.

Phoenix House applied for funding under the PHFoundation’s mental and behavioral health RFP. During the past summer, the foundation earmarked up to $100,000 for applications that focused on community health and preventative health initiatives that addressed areas of critical health risks such as substance abuse and addiction problems.

Within their application, Phoenix House identified a gap in substance abuse treatment services for women. “The support from the Portage Health Foundation will allow Phoenix House to bridge some of the biggest gaps for women who need substance abuse treatment. Women’s treatment in the area is very limited so our hope is that this program is the first step in filling that need. We are grateful for the foundation’s support in allowing us to undertake this step,” said Gail Ploe, an outpatient counselor at Phoenix House.

With this grant funding, Phoenix House will offer specialized outpatient treatment through a home visitor program with qualified staff as well as through office-based individual counseling sessions where taxi vouchers will be offered to allow patients to make their appointments. Research indicates that there are gender-specific issues, such as childcare and transportation obstacles, which service providers must address to enable women to be more successful in recovery. “Being able to meet women in their homes, in addition to providing taxi vouchers, creates access to services and eliminates two of the main barriers facing women as they seek treatment,” added Ploe.

Kevin Store, Executive Director of the Portage Health Foundation, stated, “Phoenix House has served as a lifeline for many people during its history by providing substance and alcohol treatment and offering people a chance to reclaim their lives. We are extremely happy to support them as they expand their services to the women in need of assistance.” Once established, Phoenix House plans to sustain the new programming through fee service agreements with contracting sources.

The Portage Health Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that receives and contributes charitable donations, which support the health needs of the community through enhanced philanthropy and community collaboration throughout Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon counties.