Our History
In 2014, as the opioid epidemic swept through New Hampshire towns and cities, two health care professionals, Dr. Colene Arnold and Kerry Norton, RN were overwhelmed with the plight of young women coming to the emergency room, pregnant, homeless and addicted to heroin and other drugs.
The journey of one young mother, Abi Lizotte, searching for residential treatment both appalled and mobilized the two colleagues. Abi was living in a tent, without food or appropriate clothing and in the last trimester of pregnancy when she reached out for help.
Dr. Arnold and Kerry Norton, RN, worked tirelessly to find a place where Abi could get treatment, prenatal care and have her newborn with her as she worked on her recovery. They quickly discovered that only one such treatment facility existed, and the waiting list was daunting.
With their support, Abi completed treatment and gave birth to a healthy baby boy. The two founders went to work to raise community support and funds to transform a century old sprawling farmhouse in Rochester, NH, into Hope on Haven Hill. The ambitious founders designed a level 3.5 licensed intensive residential treatment program.
On December 8, 2016, the doors opened to Hope on Haven Hill and within a week eight pregnant women with substance use disorder were admitted.
Women in the residential program take part in a rigorous slate of daily individual and group therapy sessions, childbirth classes, parenting education, life-skill and wellness services, and recovery support programs. Co-occurring behavioral health issues and other needs are also addressed.
In the spring of 2017, Hope on Haven Hill launched its Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) which provides pregnant, post-partum and parenting mothers, with intensive recovery treatment in a three-day a week program. Outpatient counseling, case management, and therapy services are also offered.
With great sadness, Abi Lizotte lost her battle with substance use disorder and died in the winter of 2018. Her death inspired the organization to engage the community once again, understanding the need for and supporting recovery housing. Once again, the community answered the call, and the funds were raised to purchase an 8-bedroom house in Rochester to be used for recovery housing.
On July 18, 2019, Hope on Haven Hill opened the doors to Abi’s Place. Today eight mothers who have completed treatment and who are committed to sobriety live at Abi’s Place with their children. There they work on plans to complete their education, develop job skills, secure safe and nurturing childcare, and attain employment and permanent housing. At Abi’s Place the women support each other, continue to take part in recovery and treatment programs, and continue to receive parenting education services.