New women only recovery home opens in Helena, expanding local support

Boyd Andrew Community Services this year opened a renovated recovery home in Helena dedicated solely to women, offering seven beds and a program focused on housing stability, job placement and educational opportunities. The organization opened the house to women in August after operating similar programs for men for years, and leaders say the change responds to growing demand across Lewis and Clark County.

The house provides a structured, residential setting where women in recovery can rebuild routines and pursue employment and schooling while living in a safe environment. Residents enter the program through referral routes that include addiction counselors, parole officers, or a self referral application. The program aims to move clients from crisis to stability by combining housing with practical supports that increase the chance of long term recovery.

Amy Tenney, CEO of Boyd Andrew, described the facility as an alternative to unstable living situations, stating, "We are absolutely proud of this home, being able to give people a nice homey, safe, clean place to reside as opposed to just another stomping ground." The renovated house is intended to be welcoming and to reduce barriers that can keep people from engaging with services.

Local service partners highlighted the timing of the expansion, noting that substance misuse has increased in the area and that additional recovery oriented options are urgently needed. Our Place program coordinator Mikayla Kapphan said substance abuse has grown in the community, and that adding more recovery related services specifically for women is an important step toward meeting that need. By creating a women only setting, Boyd Andrew and its partners aim to address gaps in gender specific care and to make recovery supports more accessible.

For residents and their families in Lewis and Clark County the new home represents more than temporary shelter. Program leaders emphasize its role in helping women secure employment and continue education, which can reduce relapse risk and support long term independence. The house's referral process also creates clearer pathways from counseling and supervision into stable housing, which can be important for people transitioning out of treatment or correctional oversight.

The opening of the Helena home adds to local capacity for recovery services at a time when community leaders and service providers are seeking to expand supports for people affected by substance misuse. As Boyd Andrew welcomes its first women residents, the organization and its partners will track outcomes related to housing stability, job placement, and educational engagement to measure the program's impact on individuals and the broader community.