History

Incorporated in 1986, Epiphany House opened its first transitional housing-addiction treatment program for women and children in Long Branch, NJ in September of 1989. The program began with one counselor Sister Janet Christenson, who also filled the role of administrator, one child care worker and one counselor aide who worked nights and weekends. Sister Janet Christenson was able to relate to the women that came into the program because she too had gone through the same experience. After undergoing treatment she went to graduate school to become a substance abuse counselor and noticed a need among recovering women: They had "no safe place to live with their children while getting help." Sister Janet envisioned a program where mothers and their children could recover together and where the women could learn the skills to create and maintain a drug-free, self-sufficient life.

Epiphany House at Asbury Park was purchased and opened in 1992. The site was already a licensed boarding home. It is one of the few addiction treatment programs in New Jersey which will allow non-infant children to reside with their mothers. Epiphany House at Asbury Park includes a separate building used as the child care center.

In 1997, Epiphany House was successful in obtaining a grant to provide permanent affordable housing to its graduates and purchased an 11 unit apartment building in Asbury Park which is called "The Bridge." All tenants are graduates of one of Epiphany House's treatment programs.

Epiphany House acquired the property adjacent to its Asbury Park child care center in August 1998. This additional land permitted the expansion of the playground area and space for some fire and safety improvements which were required when Epiphany House became licensed as a residential child care program.

In 2001, Epiphany House acquired land on Grand Avenue in Asbury Park. By 2002 this property was built into the Business offices of Epiphany House and also contains an Education Center. The Education Center contains a computer lab where 12 students learn basic computer skills and use the computer to improve their math and language skills or prepare for the GED Exam. A conference room nearby provides space for independent or tutor-assisted learning. The 2nd and 3rd floors of this building contain two two-bedroom apartments for Epiphany House graduates.

Epiphany House completed construction of a single-family 3-bedroom home in 2003 and, in 2004, purchased an apartment building. This apartment building brings the total number of available housing for Epiphany House graduates up to 22 apartments. The single family home allows a program graduate who has proper employment to have safe, affordable housing so she can regain custody of her children.