The East Dallas-based Magdalen House has come a long way since 1986, when it opened as a place for about six women at a time to detox and begin recovering from alcoholism. Heck, the place has come a long way since 2009, when I wrote this feature story for The Advocate (The Advocate also has come a long way). Back then, Magdalen House, known affectionately as Maggie’s, was inside a big brick-red house in Little Forest Hills and about 250 women were coming through annually.
Last April the new Maggie’s House opened in a 12,000-square-foot building on Gaston, increasing the number of beds for the in-patient program from 14 to 20.
Maggie’s is the only North Texas non-profit agency to offer comprehensive, no-cost services to help women achieve and sustain recovery from alcoholism, according to the team at The Vokol Group, which this week announced that it is the The Magdalen House’s new agency of record.
The Vokol Group is charged with strategic messaging, media and public relations for the rapidly growing organization, according to a press release.
The executive director at The Magdalen House Lisa Kroencke says she likes The Vokol Group for it’s “unwavering commitment to bold, brave ideas.
“Their capabilities in public relations, community connectivity and commitment to creativity make them uniquely equipped to build awareness of our mission and the community we serve,” Kroencke says. “We are excited to partner with them to write the next chapter in The Magdalen House’s story and share the impact we have on recovery for alcoholic women.”
The First Step program at Maggie’s is the two-week, residential program for woman who want to stop drinking but cannot. Residents are provided with the education and resources to achieve sobriety and build a foundation of recovery, according to the literature from The Magdalen House.
The Magdalen House also offers outpatient Next Step program, 12-Step meetings, family support groups and connections to other resources.
“The Magdalen House has been positively changing women’s lives for 35 years with compassion and support at every stage of recovery,” The Vokol Group president Dana Cobb says. “Their programs provide solution-based education and resources to alcoholic women as well as their families and loved ones. We look forward to a healthy partnership with this dynamic and inspiring organization.”
There also is a podcast for women and families in recovery.
For more information visit magdalenhouse.org.
