SSM Health gives $100,000 to The Gratitude Club women’s sober living residence

SSM Health continues its support of The Gratitude Club efforts to offer a place of welcome and support for individuals on their recovery journey thanks to a recent $100,000 donation. The donation will help with construction of an eight-bed women’s sober living residence – Phoenix Nest – adjacent to its existing clubhouse.

The donation was given during a community kickoff for The Gratitude Club’s capital campaign.

“Our mission is to provide a substance-free, structured living space tailored to the unique needs of women in recovery,” according to Steve Kohnke, The Gratitude Club Board president. “By offering guidance, accountability and community, this residence will empower women to achieve long-term sobriety, independence, and personal growth.”

The residence will feature a live-in house manager who will ensure day-to-day accountability and support. Residents will follow house guidelines, attend 12-step fellowship meetings, and participate in clinical services, like intensive outpatient programs or therapy. As they progress, residents will develop independent living skills, seek employment or education, and transition into less structured sober living environments.

The check was presented by Rosie Perez, SSM Health Wisconsin Region VP Mission Integration; Jamie Deering, MD, SSM Health Wisconsin Region Primary Care medical director; and Bill Boyd, SSM Health St. Agnes Hospital vice president of operations.

“SSM Health is honored to be part of this amazing community response to substance use recovery and housing,” according to Perez. “The Gratitude Club is innovative in the Fond du Lac community by providing substance use resources, programming, and a safe place for those in their recovery journey. SSM Health is grateful for the longstanding relationship The Gratitude Club maintains in the community to be strategic and collaborative in their mission of being a safe place for those in recovery.

“SSM Health is eager to continue our relationship with The Gratitude Club as we work towards community health initiatives surrounding substance use and we see recovery be part of our community,” Perez adds. “Our community benefits when we work together and people in recovery need our support.”

The Gratitude Club is a non-profit organization whose main objective is to strengthen recovery from addictions, to cultivate a healthy recovery environment, and to offer recovery support for the person with substance disorder and those affected by addiction.

In 2024, SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac donated more than $568,000 to local non-profit organizations in Fond du Lac and surrounding areas. This investment helps ensure access to health care for patients who are uninsured or underinsured, train the next generation of health professionals to care for those in need, and fund programs to address the most pressing health needs of our communities.