Who We Are
Liberation Programs is one of Fairfield County’s leading behavioral health organizations specializing in treatment for all types of substance use disorders including alcohol, opiates, depressants, and stimulants. Our goal is to help individuals and families overcome addiction in order to restore their lives and ultimately strengthen our communities. Liberation provides services for adults, youth, and families that include two inpatient treatment programs, outpatient and intensive outpatient services, health education for older adults and people living with HIV/AIDS and other chronic illnesses, treatment and resources for adolescents and their families, education and prevention efforts in the community, mobile harm reduction services, and permanent supportive housing for families. In operation since 1971, the agency has sites in Bridgeport, Greenwich, Norwalk, Stamford, and Westport and served more than 2,400 individuals in our last fiscal year.
OUR MISSION
Liberation Programs’ mission is to provide prevention, treatment and recovery services to help individuals and their families impacted by substance use and mental health conditions to foster hope and maintain wellness.
OUR HISTORY
Since 1971, Liberation has provided critical services to individuals and families in Fairfield County. Created to address a rise in local drug use, Liberation’s first service location, Liberation House in Stamford, was founded with the help of five corporations, GE Capital, Pitney Bowes, Olin, Clairol, and Asea Brown Boveri, as well as support from local government. One of the first Executive Directors of Liberation Programs was Doris De Huff, a leader in the field of addiction treatment who received the prestigious Dole/Nyswander award and was recognized as one of Connecticut’s Outstanding Women for her work in the public health field.
In 1995, Liberation Programs in Stamford merged with Meridian Council in Norwalk and then, in 1999, the agency merged with Guenster Rehabilitation Services in Bridgeport to further strengthen services throughout Lower Fairfield County. Since 2006, the agency has increased the number of people served by 38%, reduced wait times for treatment, and expanded access to wraparound social services to include a transitional employment program and increased access to primary medical care through partnerships with community health centers.
PHILOSOPHY OF CARE
We pride ourselves on being able to treat the most complex substance misuse cases. Utilizing targeted treatment solutions, we help people uncover, identify and understand the root causes of their addiction. Counselors explain treatment options and work to create recovery plans that best address each person’s specific needs. Combining therapy and supportive services, clients not only begin their recovery, they learn self-sufficiency which enables them to sustain sobriety long after they complete their care program. Our care plan incorporates education and job skills training, HIV/AIDS support services, individual and group counseling, family therapy, and addiction and mental health medications.
WHO WE SERVE
Liberation Programs serves adolescents, men, women and their families who suffer from addiction, substance use and mental health disorders, many of whom are living below the federal poverty line. The majority of those we serve are on Medicaid, and our services are provided regardless of ability to pay. We see more than 1,000 individuals a day in our different programs and support them in their efforts to achieve lifelong recovery.
