President’s Message

As I reflect on my 20 years at Cenikor, I am deeply grateful and humbled by the opportunity given to me by the original board. The journey to understand and address the services needed for recovery has evolved, but the core issues remain. As we have seen over the last few years, addiction is starting at younger ages and bringing more mental health issues to the forefront.

On my first day at Cenikor, I shared a vision with the leadership team to expand our locations and services. At that time, I did not fully realize the implications of that statement. Today, we have increased the number of clients we serve by nearly 20 times annually, and we are still growing. I believe in the next five years we can double the number of people we currently serve. I want to thank the board for supporting and encouraging the vision I brought to Cenikor, and our staff who work daily to make it happen.

Long-term recovery remains the foundation of Cenikor’s treatment approach. Due to the increasing severity of addiction and the increasing awareness of mental health issues, we face greater challenges today. The co-occurrence of substance use disorders and behavioral health issues requires a multifaceted approach. Social and economic constraints often prevent long-term inpatient treatment, making it essential to offer short-term intensive residential and outpatient services, recovery housing, and sober coaches, to provide personalized recovery journeys.

We are exploring ways to reintroduce treatment modalities that worked in the past along with advanced, evidence-based clinical treatments to address gaps in social skills and help individuals lead more fulfilling lives. We also aim to incorporate educational components and job training, giving clients a greater foundation for economic success. Individuals who achieve economic well-being are more likely to maintain a healthy lifestyle, and we strive to support their journey towards a healthier environment.

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak with two mayors about the challenges their communities face. Despite different settings, the frustrations of police, EMS, and other leaders over the growing demand for their services were similar. We are fortunate to participate in these discussions, share our mission, and highlight the services we provide. When given the chance to step away from addiction and towards a brighter future, individuals often seize that opportunity.

During these community conversations, we emphasize our continuum of care and providing services to all members of society. It’s interesting that Cenikor is often perceived as a for-profit organization, because we have a payor mix, strong business processes, and a large footprint, but we are a non-profit dedicated to helping individuals in their communities.

Fentanyl’s impact has not waned since the pandemic, and there is a continued need for our services. We remain dedicated to forming strategic partnerships with those sharing our mission. These collaborations ensure that communities continue to receive essential services.

Finally, I want to thank our expert board members, past and present. These community leaders come to us from varied fields, including addiction treatment, finance, business, education, law, healthcare, banking, real estate, and government. Each board member has been instrumental in Cenikor’s growth and brings passion that contributes to our ability to fulfill our mission. Their commitment, along with our leadership and staff, ensures we maintain a strong economic foundation, even during challenging times.

Thank you for your unwavering support of Cenikor and our mission.

Bill Bailey
President and CEO
Cenikor Foundation