Twenty-One Beds, One Mission

After more than a year of hammers, hard hats, and hope, Madonna House has emerged from a full-scale renovation stronger, brighter, and more capable than ever before. The transformation wasn’t just physical. It was personal, emotional, and deeply tied to the mission of serving women in recovery and their children. 

A New Chapter at Madonna House 

Caz Recovery acquired Madonna House from Fellowship House in 2016, and shortly after moving in, we noticed a need to update the building to ensure the clinical services we want to offer have the space they need. Prior to construction, the building had architectural charm but also came with clinical limitations, such as a lack of office space and group rooms. This renovation was made possible through funding from New York’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and with the support of the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY).The results are nothing short of remarkable, according to Lisa Johnston, Madonna House Program Manager, “this wasn’t just about walls and furniture. It was about creating the kind of space our residents truly deserve.”  

Function Meets Purpose: A New Layout for Healing 

Madonna House now includes dedicated rooms for groups and therapy sessions, private offices for counselors, a completely rebuilt kitchen and dining alcove for residents, and an elevator that improves access for residents and staff. The newly renovated space also houses a modern daycare center, a full gym, upgraded bathrooms, additional resident room, and redesigned storage and food service areas. The kitchen, which once required staff and residents to walk outside to access cold storage in a detached garage, now features an indoor dry food cage, a walk-in cooler, and a freezer. With food storage moved inside and a more open floor plan in the living and dining rooms, the flow better reflects the calm and structure essential to recovery. 

Before the renovation, groups were held in the living room. Deliveries, staff movement, and resident traffic often disrupted sessions, creating a less-than-optimal atmosphere for the in-depth recovery work being done. During construction, staff had to temporarily relocate group therapy to local partners like the YMCA, Kenan Center, and Lockport Library. “It was constant interruption,” Lisa recalled. “People had to walk through the living room to get to the kitchen, and they were cooking, so you could hear everything.” Fortunately, the temporary disruptions were worth it, as now residents have multiple quiet, safe places to have groups and focus on the hard work they are doing while at the program. 

Leadership Comes Full Circle 

For Lisa, this transformation has also been personal. Years ago, she served as a counselor at Madonna House under Fellowship House. After growing in leadership roles across different providers including Caz Recovery, she returned just over two years ago as Madonna House’s Program Manager. “I worked at Madonna House for Fellowship. Then I came to Caz. They had my resume, called me and asked me to come back. I came in pretty strong as a manager. Day one, I made changes. I knew what was expected. I knew how the house needed to run. I knew everybody, so it was very easy for me to come in and say, ‘This is how we’re going to improve things.’ This renovation served as an additional piece to ensure the program would have a safe, comfortable environment to encourage sustained recovery. 

Expanding Capacity and Mental Health Services 

With capacity expanding from 16 to 21 residents and new staff being hired, the program is ready for its next phase. “We will be ready to go to 21 residents as soon as OASAS approves it,” Lisa confirmed. Lisa is also completing her final classes for her LMHC credential, and most of the clinical team holds or is pursuing advanced licensure. With more than 95 percent of residents presenting co-occurring disorders in 2024, the expanded team is vital. “Half of our groups will be mental health and half will be addiction groups,” she shared. “The residents have asked for it. It’s one of the things we see in our surveys.” 

A Celebration of Progress 

Madonna House had its Ribbon Cutting on 11/25/25, with local officials, community partners, and supporters in attendance.  “Unless you have seen Madonna House before, it’s hard to appreciate how much work has been done,” Lisa said. From the early days of Fellowship House to the reimagined program it is today, Madonna House has always held onto its purpose; the only change is the physical space. With this renovation, Madonna House finally reflects the care, compassion, and professionalism of the people who work and live there. This renovation marks more than the end of a construction project, it signals a new beginning for a program that continues to change lives, support families, and give women the tools they need to build lasting recovery.