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Our History

Pioneering Recovery Since 1959

How a storefront on the Lower Eastside has grown to give millions of New Yorkers a second chance:

Summer of 1959 - A crisis had descended on the communities of the Lower East Side. Residents were dying at an alarming rate from a growing heroin use epidemic. Edward Brown, a neighborhood minister, decided something had to be done. Although he didn’t have a social work background or any formal substance use disorder training, he helped the churches and settlement houses of the Lower East Side band together to form the Lower Eastside Information and Service Center for Narcotic Addiction, Inc. What began as a storefront serving addicts and their families is today known as the Lower Eastside Service Center

1960 - First outpatient detoxification clinic using Dolophine (Methadone)

1961 - Grand Opening of 46 East Broadway for outpatient services

1964 - The first "At Risk Youth" drug prevention program, and first Chinese drug use program

1967 - One of the first licensed mental health clinic substance use disorders programs. First school of social work field training site in substance use disorders

1969 - The first outpatient non-hospital Methadone Maintenance Treatment programadone-to-abstinence residential therapeutic community (the Long Stay Abstinence Program)

1974 - LESC launches Su Casa, first Meth

1982 - Chinese Socialization program (currently the Chinese Continuing Day Treatment Program). Also, first residential Methadone Maintenance Treatment program in the US (the Short Stay Maintenance Program at Su Casa serving 40 residents)

1983 - Women and Children's Program, Crack Cocaine Program

1989 - AIDS Prevention Project, Family Reunification Program - Prevention of foster placement of high risk preschool children

1990 - Vietnam Veterans Family Services Center (VVFSC) focuses on effects of PTSD on the families of veterans

1981 - "Model" DSAS Methadone Treatment program - A methodological overhaul of the traditional methadone clinic, shifting recovery responsibility from staff to clients

1992 - HIV Counseling, Testing, Referral, Partner Notification Program (CTRPN), HIV Primary Care Program, Directly Observed Preventive Therapy for people with TB and substance use disorder

1995 - Primary Care Initiative in conjunction with Beth Israel Medical Center, Nutrition Training program for People with AIDS 1996—Veteran's Family Services Center serves combat veterans and their families

1997 - WorkFirst Initiative integrates welfare reform into substance use treatment, Angel Street Thrift Shop fundraising and vocational initiative

1998 - Millennium The WorkFirst initiative combined with an 18-month Long Stay Abstinence Program, Enhanced Outpatient Evening Program treatment for working and parenting individuals

2000 - First graduation from The Partnership Program

2001 - Grand Opening of Pencer House supportive housing for people living with AIDS, Substance Use Assessment & Referral Program at the Children's Aid Society, Manhattan Family Treatment Court Family Preservation Collaboration outreach for mentally ill undocumented aliens with Bellevue Hospital, Department of Labor Welfare To Work Program for difficult to place individuals, Family Therapy Program to enhance residential services, Su Casa facility renovation

2002 - Pregnant Women and Infants Program launched

2006 - Construction begins on Diversity Works special needs family housing with Phase Piggy-Back /Bronx

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Our Mission is to meet the unique and changing needs of New Yorkers experiencing critical life problems with substance use disorder, mental illness, and associated homelessness, with a person-centered, strengths-based, and trauma-responsive approach to care. Using a wide-ranging health and human services network, we support their well-being and empower them to make healthy life choices.
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