GCASA clears land in Albion for new 25-bed residence for women in recovery

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Crews have starting clearing land on Butts Road in Albion for a 25-bed women and children community residence. This will be the first residential program for the Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse that serves women and their children.

These photos were taken last week as contractors made a path to the site and removed trees and brush.

GCASA has seen more women in recovery and addiction programs with the opioid epidemic, with the prevalence of addictive painkillers, John Bennett, GCASA executive director, said during a public hearing about the project on Aug. 3, 2022.

The $4.6 million community residence will be the first in the GLOW region for women in recovery.

About 12 years ago, women accounted for 23 percent of the GCASA census or people served by the agency. But by 2016-17, that percentage jumped to nearly 40 percent, Bennett said.

The Albion site will allow women, 18 and older, to receive services to aid in their recovery while in a residential setting. Five of the 25 units will accommodate women with children younger than kindergarten. Up to two children can stay in those units. The property will include walking trails and a playground.

This project will be one of the few residential programs in the state that is solely for women with room for their children.

“Women have been neglected in residential programs,” Bennett said during the hearing.

The project has been awarded a $4.6 million grant from the state Department of Health for construction of the residence. That grant doesn’t include the operation of the site, which will be staffed 24-7, Bennett said during the hearing.