Hazelden historian Damian McElrath, PhD, writing 25 years ago in his pamphlet "Roses of Dia Linn," described the leadership Hazelden played in serving women: "Concern for environment, privacy, the social stigma of women alcoholics, their self-esteem, group process in all-female groups, female counselors, and a myriad of other concerns, which are today heralded as the innovations of the 1970s, were issues dealt with at Dia Linn a quarter of a century ago."

An innovator in women's care
The pioneering spirit demonstrated by Hazelden in 1956 is something that flourishes today, as construction begins this fall on a state-of-the-art Women's Recovery Center on the Center City campus. Just as the best environment for care was provided nearly 50 years ago, Hazelden is taking another giant step forward in meeting the special needs of female alcoholics and addicts with its new center.

A new two-story building will be constructed to provide two new 22-bed units for women. That new construction, along with the redesign and renovation of the adjacent Lilly Unit for women, will help accommodate 88 female patients in primary and extended care programs, a capacity increase of about 37.5 percent overall for women. The new building, with a unit on each floor, is scheduled for completion in late 2006, while the renovation of Lilly will be done in late 2007. The end result: a comprehensive, cohesive Women's Recovery Center that will provide a nurturing environment for women, from admission to continuing care.

The two new units and the upper level of the Lilly Unit will serve primary residential patients, while the lower level of Lilly will be an extended care unit for women. The three primary units will accommodate 66 patients (22 beds in each unit), and the extended care unit will serve 22 patients. A ground floor walkway will connect the new units with Lilly; the Dan Anderson Renewal Center will also link to the new Women's Center.

Increasing access to care
"We've seen a fourfold increase over the last six years in calls to Hazelden requesting women's treatment services," said Sue Hoisington, PsyD, executive director of Hazelden Mental Health Centers in Minnesota. "We frequently have a waiting list of 7-10 days for women to get in, so the need to increase access to care is clear."

Meeting the demand for more quality care was a driving force for the new Women's Center, but enhancing the therapeutic experience and the environment of care was just as important, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes.

"We were asked to design a center to meet the needs of women in recovery," says Katherine Leonidas, architect and project manager of BWBR Architects in St. Paul, Minn., the design firm for the Women's Center. In researching their charge, Leonidas said the words "safe, healing, respectful, comfortable, serene, simple, and inviting" were the ones most commonly used by current patients, Hazelden alumnae, and staff to describe what the Center should be.

The location allows Hazelden to develop a complete Women's Center and a cohesive program for women, Leonidas said. "The design responds to the natural amenities of the campus."

Design features support therapy
For instance, nearly all of the patient rooms will have decks or patios facing South Center Lake. In addition, both the new units and Lilly will have exterior courtyards for private space during warmer weather.

The interior space will make for a much-enhanced setting of care, with improvements in the areas of overall design, space, privacy and color. "The space is very conducive to the needs of women," said Hoisington. "We will have wonderful community space, excellent space for quiet reflection, a room for creative expression, and flexible space that can be used for large groups or meditation."

"The dayroom, or large-group room, will be far more private for large-group functions than what currently exists," said Leonidas. Indeed, the new living room-kitchenette area, which will remain a common area and a center for fellowship, will be separate from the dayroom, which will feature a circular design and windows to maintain privacy but allow light in. The library, with large windows, overlooks the lake and offers opportunities for reading and reflection. Computer access rooms, small rooms for one-on-one sessions, and staff offices are neatly dispersed throughout the unit.

The bedrooms are designed to accommodate three women each, with space that affords comfortable living and respects privacy. "We've had no problem with the three-women rooms currently in use on our units, and three-women clusters are a way to break down the exclusivity of two-person rooms," said Hoisington.

Sheila Hermes, supervisor of the Lilly Unit, adds that the overall design offers the best of all worlds. "The three-women rooms allow patients more privacy and personal space, while the common areas foster togetherness and complement women's relational style of communications."

Examining clinical needs
The new Women's Center will be "much more than a building," adds Hoisington, who with Hermes, is leading a clinical team to review the program needs of women. "We're looking at current services, where there are gaps, what services might be enhanced, and any new services that will improve women-sensitive care to meet the complexity of our patients," said Hoisington.

A group of experts in women's treatment will be available as consultants along with clinical experts at Hazelden to collaborate and make recommendations for improvements and additions to the current continuum of care. Some services under consideration include all-female lectures, additional groups for women, a weekly women's health clinic, parenting education, additional mental health and wellness services, a day treatment program in the Twin Cities, women-specific continuing care models, and extended care services to address special issues such as eating disorders and trauma. Some changes will be implemented before the actual building project is completed.

"The overall initiative is really about how we can continue to do Twelve Step-focused addiction treatment, while enhancing the range of services for women," said Hermes. "There's been some concern that we may move away from our Twelve Step foundation, but that is definitely not the case. Our efforts reflect our continued commitment to provide quality treatment for women and the recognition of the complex issues women have in recovery."

"We know that women are more likely than men to seek professional mental health help, but less likely to seek help for chemical dependency," said Hoisington. "The expectation is still strong for women to serve as moms and caregivers, and they don't want to fail in those roles. Many fear losing their children if they go to treatment."

The hope to is to help remove the barriers to care, including the shame and stigma of the disease, and create a model of care for women that will be second to none. The timing for a new Women's Center is perfect. It comes together with a growing recognition of the acuity and complexity of women alcoholics and addicts and with a Hazelden continuing care initiative that will integrate primary and post-primary care.

"The convergence of these innovative programs will provide great opportunities for women," says Hoisington. "It makes a strong statement about Hazelden's ongoing commitment to women."

Donor support needed to fulfill dream of Women's Center
Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of Hazelden's commitment to women alcoholics. It is only fitting that Hazelden will celebrate those 50 years with the dedication and completion of a new Women's Recovery Center in the fall of 2006.

"The new Center is truly a measure of Hazelden's steadfast commitment to providing the best therapy, education and fellowship for women, and it's the perfect way to celebrate the jubilee of women's care at Hazelden," said Anne Benedict Hovland, Hazelden's executive vice president of Development. "The Women's Center represents a quantum leap in the evolution of our treatment programming for women and an important milestone toward Hazelden's strategic goals to increase access to care and improve lifelong outcomes. Inside and out, the Center will radiate support for women in their journey to find and enjoy sober life, from the simple serenity of the lake views to spaces for reflection, study, quiet conversation and group support."

Like all major expansions at Hazelden, the Women's Center simply can't be accomplished without the support of philanthropy, a hallmark of the nonprofit Hazelden programs and services. "Our ability to save lives, rebuild families, and restore futures has always been dependent on donor support," said Hovland. "And the Women's Center is no exception."

The financial need
The cost for the first phase of the new Women's Center, which includes construction of the two-story, two-unit expansion, is $13 million. That cost includes $11.5 million for the new facility (includes the two units, the link, the rerouting of the fire road/walking path, and rerouting and upgrading utilities), $500,000 for program development, and $1 million for women's patient aid. Of that amount, Hazelden hopes to raise a minimum of $3 million from grateful supporters who share the vision for expanded opportunities for women. Funding needs for phase two, which includes a major renovation of the adjacent Lilly Unit in 2007, will be determined next year.

"We need the help of addicted women who have been helped, loved ones of women who have realized the miracle of recovery, and all who share our passion to provide the best services possible for women," said Hovland.

Especially exciting about the new venture is that it is much more than "a new building"--it's an opportunity to greatly enhance the quality of women-sensitive care at Hazelden. And it's an opportunity to build a patient aid base for women, including an endowment fund, that will help ensure that women who need treatment but can't afford the full cost of care can access the Hazelden program.

"Our ability to reach out and have a greater impact on helping women relies on the generosity of Hazelden alumni, families and community leaders," said Hovland. "With our donors' help, we look forward to ongoing innovation and leadership in women's recovery services for another 50 years."

For more information on how to support the new women's initiative, please call the Hazelden Development Department at 1-888-535-9485 or visit www.hazelden.org/helpwomen.

--by Marty Duda

Published in The Voice - Summer 2005