As one of the first women-only treatment facilities for addiction in the country, Interim House has a long history of service to the community. Through the years, we've changed thousands of lives for the better.
1971
Clara Baxter Synigal, an African American woman and recovering alcoholic, founds Interim House, one of the first programs of its kind in the nation and the first in Pennsylvania.
1984
Moves to the historic Mt. Airy section of Philadelphia after purchasing a building from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
1989
Becomes an affiliate of Public Health Management Corporation (then The Philadelphia Health Management Corporation), a nonprofit public health institute committed to improving the health of the community through outreach, education, research, planning, technical assistance and direct services.
1993
Expands to provide outpatient services to graduates of its residential program.
Kathy Wellbank hired as program director of Interim House, Inc.
1996
Received the Williams Award for Organizational Excellence from the Philadelphia Foundation.
1998
Begins providing intensive outpatient services three days per week and accepting women from the criminal justice system.
1999
Receives funding from the City of Philadelphia to provide on-site psychiatric services.
2001
Incorporates a trauma-sensitive philosophy to assist women in the healing process from violence and abuse.
Awarded the GlaxoSmith Community Impact Award
2002
Receives funding from Philadelphia Department of Human Services (DHS) for services to the children of mothers in Interim House programs.
2004
Implements a therapeutic knitting group as an avenue for stress reduction, relapse prevention, increased self-esteem, creating community and connections and fostering mother-child socialization.
2007
Launches a comprehensive Educational and Job Readiness Program partially funded by The Pew Charitable Trusts, ensuring that all clients can develop self-sufficiency plans with the support of a vocational counselor.
2008
Receives additional funding from The Pew Charitable Trusts to implement an extensive Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) program, an evidence-based treatment approach to help women manage their feelings and behaviors in a more constructive manner. Interim House launches a Pet Therapy Program.
2009
Introduces a biking program to help "break the cycle" of abuse, violence, crime and addiction.
In partnership with Back On My Feet, adds a comprehensive program to for homeless clients of Interim House.
2011
Celebrated 40 Years of empowering women
Started a biking program, Gearing Up
2012
Began a Peer Mentor Program
Started a contract with Chester County Drug & Alcohol Services & Community Care Behavioral Health Organization (C-CBH)
2013
Launched our Mama Bears Group
Contracted with Perform Care
Received the Community Fund Development Grant from Womens Way
Enhanced holistic programming to include art and yoga
2014
Started offering a Vivitrol, a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
2015
Opened up our Halfway House Program
2016
Celebrated 45 years in the community
Awarded $100,000 from Impact100 Philadelphia
Started offering Suboxone, another MAT to help address the opioid epidemic
2017
Awarded Citizen Banks' Champions in Action award
Contracted with Montgomery County D&A and Magellan Health Care
Received funding from FORST Family Foundation, Green Family Foundation, Patricia Kinda Family Foundation and Women's Way/ Immediate Response Action Fund
Contract begins with Magellan and Montgomery County
2018
Received funding from Citizens Bank as well as The vanAmeringen Foundation to start an innovative Focalized Treatment Program (FTP) to provide intensive support to women with significant mental health challenges.
2019
Became a tobacco free facility.
2020
In collaboration with Public Health Management Corporation, provided continuous and uninterrupted care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Receiving important funding to sustain this vital care from The Green Family Foundation.
2022
Former Program Director, Kathy Wellbank, retires after 29 years of service to Interim House Inc. In July, 2022, Interim House Inc., names new Program Director, Katherine Addison.
