CANTON – Grace House, a non-profit residence for women seeking to recover from addiction, marks its fifth anniversary with an open house for the public on Feb. 25 from 1-3 p.m. at the home, 11 E. Main St.

The event, which will offer light refreshments, is aimed at acquainting residents of the North Country and elsewhere with a program supported in part by 15 area churches. Grace House opened in 2019 and has since admitted 82 women, aged 21 to 62, who might otherwise have been homeless and unable to address such issues as alcohol or drug abuse, said Executive Director Carolyn White.

The women, the vast majority of whom are from the North Country, are provided with a structured environment, including curfew and abstinence from alcohol and drugs, and offered material and support aid – including counseling, educational and medical services – according to need and available volunteer and financial resources.

At a time when rates of addiction and overdose in Northern New York far exceeds those in other parts of the state, the oversight and care freely offered at Grace House are crucial to the mission of helping to reconstruct the women’s family, including young children, and helping to transition residents into the full life of the community, White said.

“Grace House could be said to have saved the lives of some women and, in some cases, helped them to regain custody of their children, keep jobs and reach important milestones such as completing GEDs,” she said.

Grace House is reliant on volunteers, including White and a board of directors. The program, after a 30-day probationary period, encourages residents to go to school, get jobs or work with a volunteer organization in Canton. The residence is overseen by an in-house supervisor skilled in providing transitional living services.

Those seeking more information, or wishing to volunteer or make a tax-deductible donation, are encouraged to do so at www.gracehousecantonny.org or by contacting White by email, rhernandez2@twcny.rr.com, or text, 315-261-3330.

Parking for the Feb. 25 event is on the street or in the parking lot of neighboring Grace Episcopal Church on East Main.